Fiscal year 2024 appropriations will lead to loss of thousands of AmeriCorps positions
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ranit Schmelzer, ranit@schmelzerstrategies.com
Washington, DC (March 25, 2024) – The final fiscal year 2024 spending package passed by Congress this weekend puts nonprofits and faith-based organizations across the country at risk by failing to fund AmeriCorps at sufficient levels to meet critical community needs.
The bill provides $1.26 billion for fiscal year 2024 for the AmeriCorps Agency and its two biggest programs, AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors. This could result in a reduction of 26,000 AmeriCorps positions and severely hamper the work of organizations across the country that respond to natural disasters, support students in our schools, and serve our veterans and military families.
“By failing to fund AmeriCorps at levels that fully meet critical community needs, Congress is putting at risk nonprofit and faith-based organizations across the country that rely on AmeriCorps for mission critical support. We appreciate that budget decisions are difficult, but this is a mistake,” said AnnMaura Connolly, President of Voices for National Service. “If not reversed in fiscal year 2025, these funding levels could lead to a loss of tens of thousands of AmeriCorps positions across the country. Organizations that respond to natural disasters, support students in our schools, and serve our veterans and military families will lose significant capacity – and may even be forced to close their doors.”
“AmeriCorps yields a $17 to $1 return on investment for the American people. The positive impact AmeriCorps has on local communities is evident and growing. We implore both Congress and the White House to fully fund AmeriCorps.”
Annually, the AmeriCorps Agency awards resources to local nonprofit, faith-based, and community organizations across the nation to deploy AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors. AmeriCorps grants and service members power organizations like the American Red Cross, Boys and Girls Clubs, and Habitat for Humanity. The program, which both Republican and Democratic presidents have supported since its inception, is in its 30th year.
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Voices for National Service is a diverse coalition of national service programs, state service commissions, and individual champions, who work to ensure Americans of all ages and backgrounds have the opportunity to serve and volunteer in their community. Founded in 2003, Voices for National Service has built strong bipartisan support among our nation’s leaders and helped to elevate national service as a powerful strategy for tackling unmet needs, preparing young people for work, uniting our country, and developing civic character.