Gov. Easley announces $2.3 million in Federal Americorps grants available

Nonprofit and Community Organizations Should Submit Applications by Feb. 24, 2009

By Press Release: Erica Rafferty
Published: October 11, 2008

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RALEIGH – Gov. Mike Easley today announced that more than $2.3 million in federal AmeriCorps grants are available for North Carolina nonprofits and government agencies that work to address education, public safety, homeland security, environment and human service needs. The N.C. Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service, which is located in the Governor’s Office, will coordinate grant distribution.

“Since 1994, more than 5,000 AmeriCorps members in North Carolina have improved the lives of people across our state,” said Easley. “Because of these federal grants, communities can address important citizen needs that would otherwise go unmet.”

Grant applications are due to the N.C. Volunteer Commission by noon on Feb. 24, 2009. Application forms are available on the N.C. Volunteer Commission’s Web site, www.volunteernc.org, or by calling the N.C. Volunteer Commission at 919/715-3470 or 1/800-820-4483. Grants will be awarded based on community support, program design, organizational capacity, budget adequacy, sustainability and documented goals.

To apply, interested organizations must attend a training and technical assistance session, which discusses administrative regulations and policies, as well as program and reporting requirements. To register for one of these workshops, e-mail Tim Kelly, training officer, at Tim.Kelly@nc.gov, at least three days prior to the session. The workshops are free and will be offered on the following dates:

Thursday, November 13, 2008 – Hickory
Monday, November 17, 2008 – Raleigh
Thursday, December 4, 2008 – Greensboro
Thursday, January 15, 2009 – Goldsboro
AmeriCorps is a national service initiative designed to increase volunteering and civic service in America. The initiative is funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service and administered by the N.C. Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service, a federal and state-funded agency housed in the Governor’s Office. Members currently serve in 13 different programs in North Carolina. Members serve in full-time, half-time, minimum-time and education award-only positions, receive a living stipend and are eligible for education awards up to $4,725.

More information is available online at www.volunteernc.org or by calling 919/715-3470 or toll-free at 1/800-820-4483.