Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism Announces $4.4 Million in AmeriCorps Grants

July 14, 2016

Grants Aim to Strengthen Volunteer Efforts in Maryland

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism today announced that 19 Maryland organizations have received $4.4 million in AmeriCorps grants from the Corporation for National and Community Service for the September 1, 2016-August 31, 2017 grant year.

“With these grants, Marylanders continue to have opportunities to serve their communities–by tutoring youth in reading, teaching environmental stewardship, or helping to build affordable housing for families whose dream is to own a home,” said Jeff Griffin, director of the Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism. “And once the AmeriCorps members finish their service, they will have earned an education award that allows them to build their skills and become leaders in the communities they have served.”

In addition to the $4.4 million in program awards, up to $3.5 million in Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards will be given to AmeriCorps members upon completion of their service commitments. These awards will be used to pay educational costs at eligible post-secondary educational institutions, as well as to repay qualified student loans.

Each year, through the use of these federal dollars, the Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism funds AmeriCorps programs, engaging about 1,100 Marylanders of all ages and backgrounds in service to strengthen education, provide disaster services, create housing equity, assist veterans and military families, preserve the environment, expand health services, and foster economic opportunity. Volunteers serve with more than 18 nonprofit, faith-based, and community organizations in Baltimore, Central Maryland, Western Maryland, and on the Eastern Shore.

Two organizations deserve special recognition for their awards this funding cycle. Reading Partners Baltimore saw an increase of $413,650 in its federal award from the current (2015-2016) to the pending (2016-2017) grant year. HabiCorps, Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake, is a new program, receiving $137,300 for its first grant year.

For a detailed list of the grantees and awards, visit our website.