The Biden-Harris Administration sent their fiscal year (FY) 2024 budget to Congress, requesting $1.479 billion for AmeriCorps (referred to in the federal budget as the Corporation for National and Community Service). This is an increase of $166 million (nearly thirteen percent) over the FY23 enacted level.
The President’s budget proposes to make important, targeted investments in the AmeriCorps programs to support over 200,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors in FY24. These investments support the goal of expanding opportunities for Americans to serve together and ensuring that national service is a more accessible pathway for all.
The budget recommends increases to AmeriCorps State and National, VISTA, NCCC, Foster Grandparents and Senior Companions, and would increase the living allowance for AmeriCorps members to the equivalent of $13 per hour, on the path to $15 per hour by FY25, and increase the AmeriCorps Seniors stipend to $4.50 per hour. The President’s request also seeks $20 million for the Department of Labor to partner with AmeriCorps and other agencies to establish a Civilian Climate Corps, and seeks funding to increase the maximum Pell Grant by $820 for the 2024-25 year. If the Pell Grant increase is funded, this would increase the AmeriCorps Education Award the following year.
The Administration is also seeking legislative language to allow individuals with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status to earn an AmeriCorps Education Award, permanently authorize AmeriCorps VISTA members over the age of 55 to elect to transfer their education award to a dependent, eliminate the federal tax on the Education Award, and establish five-year Board of Directors terms.
While presidential budgets are non-binding and are highly unlikely to be passed in their exact form, this budget is a blueprint demonstrating the administration’s priorities. Congress will work over the coming months to draft the annual spending bills and determine funding levels for all federal programs for FY24.
AmeriCorps Agency Budget
| Program | FY23 Enacted | White House FY24 Request | WH Increase over FY23 | Proposed Voices FY24 Request | Proposed Voices Request Increase over FY23 |
| AmeriCorps State and National | 557.09M | 650.8M | 93.7M or 17% | 756.5M | 199.7M or 36% |
| AmeriCorps VISTA | 103.285M | 141.6M | 38.3M or 37% | 141.6M | 38.3M or 37% |
| AmeriCorps NCCC | 37.735M | 43.3M | 5.6M or 15% | 43.3M | 5.6M or 15% |
| National Service Trust | 230M | 213M | -17M or -7% | 230M | level funding |
| AmeriCorps Seniors | 236.917M | 262.4M | 25.4M or 11% | 275M | 38.1M or 16% |
|
55.1M | 55.1M | level funding | 63M | 7.9M or 14% |
|
125.363M | 143.5M | 18.1M or 14% | 147M | 21.64M or 17% |
|
56.449M | 63.8M | 7.4M or 13% | 65M | 8.6M or 15% |
| Volunteer Generation Fund | 8.6M | 8.6M | level funding | 10.6M | 2M or 23% |
| State Commission Support Grants | 19.54M | 19.54M | level funding | 21M | 1.46M or 7% |
| Days of Service | 6.148M | 6.148M | level funding | 6.148M | level funding |
| Evaluation | 6.25M | 6.25M | level funding | 6.25M | level funding |
| CNCS Salaries and Expenses | 99.686M | 118.4M | 18.7M or 19% | 114.7M | 15.01M or 15% |
| Inspector General | 7.595M | 8.572M | 977K or 13% | 7.595M | level funding |
| Total CNCS | 1.313B | 1.479B | +166M or 13% | 1.613B | +300M or 23% |
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