LANSING – The Michigan Community Service Commission today announced that Michigan has received $18 million in AmeriCorps funding to support the work of over 1,100 AmeriCorps members as they tackle some of the state’s toughest challenges, including disaster services, economic opportunity, education, environmental stewardship, education, health and public safety.
“Michigan’s AmeriCorps members work hard every day to make a real difference in people’s lives,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Today’s $18 million investment will support the work of 1,100 Michigan AmeriCorps members. From protecting our natural resources to teaching children, they do important work every day to move Michigan forward. Let’s keep working together to support them and making Michigan a better place to live, work, and invest.”
AmeriCorps funds will support 24 Michigan organizations through 30 program subgrants and three planning grants to expand their reach and impact in Michigan communities.
Organizations receiving grants include:
Albion College
Child & Family Services of Northwestern MI
City of Ann Arbor
City Year
Communities First, Inc.
Community Economic Development Association of MI
Crim Fitness Foundation
Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy
Eastern MI University
Family Scholar House
Hannan Center
Hope Network
Huron Pines
Ingham County
Lead for America
MI Coalition Against Homelessness
MI College Access Network
MI State University
Peckham, Inc.
Special Olympics of Michigan
Teach for America
United Way of Genesee County
Urban Neighborhood Initiatives
Wayne State University
During the last program year, AmeriCorps members served 44,618 youth, treated 800 acres of public land, provided health services to 22,919 individuals, and distributed 163,800 pounds of food and addressed a variety of other issues throughout the state.
“AmeriCorps members continue to make an impact on the state’s most pressing issues,” said Michigan Community Service Commission Executive Director Ginna Holmes. “The investment in service in Michigan will continue to improve the lives of residents across the state, ensuring more Michiganders have an equal opportunity to prosperity.”
AmeriCorps’ unique model means that the grants announced today will leverage an additional $12.6 million in matching funds from the private sector, foundations, and other sources, increasing the return on the federal funds, and bringing the total investment to $30.6 million.
The AmeriCorps agency will provide an additional $5.8 million in Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards for AmeriCorps members. Upon completion of a full-time term of service, AmeriCorps members receive an education award of $7,395, or a pro-rated amount for less than full-time service, that they can use to cover the cost of college or pay back student loans.
"This year’s AmeriCorps State and National grants demonstrate our steadfast commitment to helping communities tackle the most urgent challenges head on,” said Michael D. Smith, AmeriCorps CEO. “These funds will empower AmeriCorps members to make significant strides in education and environmental stewardship, demonstrating the power of national service to bring about positive change. I am thrilled to see the impact our members and volunteers will have on Michigan and am grateful for the hard work and dedication of all involved. Together, we are building a brighter future in across Michigan.”
These investments build on previous AmeriCorps funding – like the $1.3 million into the Michigan Education Corps (MEC), a program that helps tutor students across the state.
“Continued AmeriCorps funding has enabled Michigan Education Corps to serve over 24,000 Michigan students, from Muskegon to Alpena and Lansing to Detroit, MEC has, and will continue, to deliver the support needed for our students to succeed in reading and math,” said MEC’s Senior AmeriCorps Program Director Thomas Bobo. “This funding has allowed our programming to grow and to meet the growing demand for proven intervention programming all over the state.”
Learn more about Michigan’s AmeriCorps efforts at Michigan.gov/volunteer.
###
BACKGROUND: The Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC) utilizes service as a strategy to address the state's most pressing issues and empowers volunteers to strengthen communities. In 2023-2024, the MCSC is granting millions in federal funds to local communities for volunteer programs and activities. Michigan’s AmeriCorps, Mentor Michigan and Volunteer Michigan are premier programs of the MCSC. The MCSC is housed in the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. For more information, visit Michigan.gov/volunteer.
