Governor’s Office of Community Service Announces AmeriCorps Grant Awards to Montana Organizations
CONTACT:
Anastasia Matheison, (406) 444-9077
Governor’s Office of Community Service Announces AmeriCorps Grant Awards to Montana Organizations
Over 100 AmeriCorps members to address community needs through service
HELENA, Mont. – The Governor’s Office of Community Service announced that Montana has received $2,893,856 in funding from AmeriCorps. The total funding amount is granted to the Montana Commission on Community Service, the Governor-appointed State Service Commission, which in turn awards the grants to nonprofit organizations and public agencies across the state.
“From promoting our treasured natural resources and beloved landscapes to creating greater opportunity for all Montanans, our AmeriCorps members get things done,” said Sarah R. Sadowski, Governor’s Office of Community Service Director. “Their service strengthens the fabric of the communities across our state and supports individuals achieving their full potential.”
This funding provides $2,753,856 to five organizations to support 110 AmeriCorps members serving throughout the state. Additionally, two more organizations have been awarded funds for planning grants.
- Big Sky Watershed Corps, Montana Conservation Corps, Inc., $1,149,770, 46 members: Big Sky Watershed Corps engages individuals to make measurable contributions in environmental stewardship and build capacity of local agricultural and rural watershed organizations throughout Montana.
- Justice for Montanans Project, Montana Legal Services Association, $596,126, 24 members: AmeriCorps members serve to assist income eligible Montanans find information and resources needed to resolve their legal problems. Members leverage volunteer attorneys to provide free and reduced civil legal services.
- Fish, Wildlife, and Parks AmeriCorps, Montana Dept. of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, $403,184, 16 members: Members improve the condition of state park lands, enrich education by providing interpretive services, increase community volunteerism, and strengthen community outreach through service across Montana.
- AgCorps AmeriCorps, Montana Dept. of Agriculture (MDA), $352,786, 14 members: AmeriCorps members build capacity within MDA, and provide services with community organizations by addressing invasive weeds, increasing local food resources, and educating community and school groups in ag literacy statewide.
- Montana Office of Rural Health and Area Health Education Center, $251,990, 10 members: AmeriCorps members will serve in healthcare and community organizations to increase capacity for Montanans. Members will support resource navigation, enhance data management, and lead community health education events, trainings, and outreach.
Planning Grants:
- Montana Campus Network for Civic Engagement, $100,000: The Montana Campus Network for Civic Engagement (MCNCE), hosted by the University of Montana, is a network of colleges and universities focused on expanding college student service and civic engagement. MCNCE will plan for an AmeriCorps program that will engage college students to address needs in education, that simultaneously advances their career and professional development.
- Montana State Library, $40,000: The Montana State Library will develop an AmeriCorps program to increase the State Library's ability to support research-based literacy activities that improve reading scores for Montana children.
In addition, AmeriCorps will make available $813,450 in Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards for AmeriCorps members serving under these grants. After successfully completing a full term of service, AmeriCorps members receive an Ed Award up to $7,395 to repay qualified student loans and current educational expenses at eligible institutions of higher education and training programs.
Since 1994, more than 11,000 Montana residents have served more than 11 million hours and have earned Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards totaling more than $28.5 million. Across the country, AmeriCorps engages more than 200,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors in service annually with nonprofit, faith-based, and community organizations in more than 35,000 communities.
AmeriCorps is a federal agency that improves lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through national service and community volunteering. For more information, visit www.AmeriCorps.gov.
The Governor’s Office of Community Service expands and promotes national service and community volunteerism in Montana. Visit serve.mt.gov.
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Governor’s Office of Community Service
Tags: Governor Greg Gianforte, AmeriCorps and AgCorps
