WASHINGTON, D.C - The Corporation for National and Community Service today announced AmeriCorps grants to 401 organizations across the country that will support 12,127 AmeriCorps members. More than $83 million will go in direct grants to the 401 organizations and, if all members complete their service, an additional $39 million will go to providing them with educational opportunities.

The awards announced today are the results of the State Formula competitions, which are held by the nation’s 50 state service commissions. By law, one-third of AmeriCorps grant funds are distributed on a formula basis to the commissions, which then determine local needs and award “sub-grants” on a competitive basis to nonprofit groups in their states.

The State Formula results are among the last to be announced by AmeriCorps for the 2004 year, and include a state-by-state breakdown of subgrantees, the amounts awarded, and the positions supported by each state allocation.

“In every state in the nation AmeriCorps members are meeting the most pressing need of communities, thanks to the leadership of state commissions who assess those needs and work with their grantees,” said David Eisner, Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service, which administers the AmeriCorps program. “These 12,000 plus members will join their colleagues to create the first ever AmeriCorps class of more than 75,000 members whose hard work and energy will make America stronger.”

AmeriCorps members serve with nonprofit groups, public agencies, and faith-based organizations throughout the country meet community needs in education, the environment, public safety, and other areas. They tutor and mentor at-risk children, clean parks and trails, build low-income housing, and mobilize community volunteers to meet the needs of nonprofit groups, among many other activities.

In return for their service, AmeriCorps members receive an education award voucher that they can redeem to pay for college or graduate school or to pay back qualified student loans. The award for those who complete a year of full-time service - 1,700 hours - is $4,725; those who serve less than full time receive awards on a “prorated” basis.

"Whether you are graduating, taking time off from school, or changing careers, AmeriCorps is a great way to get skills and college aid while making a difference for your community," said AmeriCorps director Rosie Mauk.

In addition to the positions awarded through the state and national grant competitions, nearly 7,000 individuals will serve this year through two other AmeriCorps programs: AmeriCorps*NCCC, a 10-month, full-time residential program for men and women between the ages of 18 and 24, and AmeriCorps*VISTA, whose members help bring individuals and communities out of poverty by serving full time to fight illiteracy, improve health services, create businesses, increase housing opportunities, or bridge the digital divide. Information on joining AmeriCorps is available at www.americorps.org.

AmeriCorps is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, which also oversees Senior Corps and Learn and Serve America. The programs of the Corporation engage more than 2 million Americans each year in meeting critical needs in education, the environment, public safety, homeland security, and other areas. Together with the USA Freedom Corps, the Corporation is working to build a culture of service, citizenship, and responsibility in America. For more information, visit www.nationalservice.org.

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