Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism to Provide $4.5 Million in AmeriCorps Grants to 19 Maryland Organizations

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism today announced that 19 Maryland organizations will receive more than $4.5 million in AmeriCorps State grants for initiatives taking place from August 15, 2019 to August 14, 2020. AmeriCorps funding is provided through a national competition by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency for volunteering and service. The grants awarded this summer include funds announced in April supporting seven Maryland organizations. In 2018, Maryland was ranked the No. 10 state and Baltimore the No. 1 major city in the country for producing AmeriCorps members per capita by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

“As a top state in the country for producing AmeriCorps members, Maryland is proud of the hundreds of individuals who commit to improve our communities through service each year,” said Steve McAdams, Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives. “AmeriCorps continues to provide invaluable resources to our communities by addressing important, sometimes crucial, issues that affect our state, changing Maryland for the better.”

Among the recipients is a new grantee: The Choice Program, an intensive advocacy and mentoring program serving disconnected youth based at The Shriver Center at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. 

“Governor Hogan is committed to addressing the issues facing Maryland such as the opioid crisis, youth literacy and education, community development, and environmental stewardship,” said McAdams. “We are grateful that Maryland organizations were able to demonstrate effective program models in Maryland that resulted in these national awards.”

All of the grant funds will be used to provide living stipends and other program operating costs for AmeriCorps members – individuals who will commit up to one year of service to support the mission of these organizations and improve Maryland communities. In addition to receiving a living stipend, AmeriCorps members who successfully complete their service during the 2019-2020 program year will be eligible to receive up to $6,095 through the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award to pay educational expenses at eligible higher education institutions or to repay qualified student loans. Maryland is one of only two states offering in-state tuition for individuals from out of state who have served as AmeriCorps members in Maryland.

AmeriCorps provides service opportunities for adults of all ages, whether they are currently in college or a new graduate, to those changing careers or entering retirement. These members can engage in a variety of activities including tutoring and mentoring youth, conservation in Maryland state parks, raising awareness about the opiate crisis, building the capacity of nonprofit organizations, and more.

For a detailed list of grantees and awards, visit gosv.maryland.gov/our-americorps-state-grantees.