Volunteer Florida Announces $16.2 Million in Funding for Florida

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Volunteer Florida CEO Clay Ingram announced that Florida has been awarded $16.2 million from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) to fund 36 AmeriCorps programs throughout the state during 2020-2021. Together, these programs will recruit and manage 1,497 AmeriCorps members who will serve in 32 counties throughout the Sunshine State. Members will serve in many different capacities, but many of this year’s programs will focus on educational support.

“For over 25 years, AmeriCorps members have served our communities by protecting our lands, responding to disasters and serving our students,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Today, I am pleased to join Volunteer Florida to announce this record funding that will support Florida’s communities and students.”

“As a parent, it is comforting to know that there will be support available to our students as they start the school year,” said First Lady Casey DeSantis. “Thank you, Volunteer Florida for securing this funding that will place more AmeriCorps members in our public schools and after school programs.”

“We are grateful for the investment that CNCS puts in Florida’s communities through AmeriCorps, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said CEO Ingram. “AmeriCorps members ‘get things done’ in the Sunshine State and we look forward to supporting the meaningful change that they will bring to Florida’s communities and schools this year.”

During their year of service, AmeriCorps members will gain valuable skills and professional experience. CNCS will also provide an additional $6.8 million in Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards for the members upon completion of their term, allowing them to pay off student loans or cover the cost of college – a direct investment in Florida’s higher education system, as members often remain in state to attend college.

“For more than two decades, Americans have answered the call to serve by pledging to ‘get things done’ as AmeriCorps members,” said Director of AmeriCorps Chester Spellman. “Through their dedication and sacrifice, I know our nation is in good hands. We are so pleased to be supporting more AmeriCorps members in Florida, where their service will help to create a brighter tomorrow for the communities they serve. I salute all of our AmeriCorps members – past, present, and future – and thank those who help make their service possible.”

The following new organizations received an AmeriCorps grant this year:

Earn to Learn Florida
AmeriCorps members will provide peer coaching to support successful student transition from high school to postsecondary education in Collier, Charlotte, Hendry, Hillsborough, Glades and Lee counties.

Girl Scouts of West Central Florida
AmeriCorps members will provide mentoring to promote academic engagement and success for girls in grades K-12 throughout Polk County.

The School Board of Broward County
AmeriCorps members will provide academic tutoring and mentoring to improve academic engagement throughout seven high schools in Broward County.

For a full list of Volunteer Florida’s AmeriCorps programs, please click here.

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About Volunteer Florida
In 1994, Volunteer Florida was established in Florida Statutes to manage national service programs, such as AmeriCorps, and advocate for volunteerism throughout the Sunshine State. Since then, Volunteer Florida has evolved to serve as the state’s lead agency for mobilizing volunteers and coordinating donations before, during and after disasters, including managing the Florida Disaster Fund. After 25 years, Volunteer Florida remains committed to promoting volunteerism in Florida, and recently launched the state’s official volunteer opportunities platform, Volunteer Connect. Through our work, Volunteer Florida delivers high-impact volunteer programs and opportunities that engage Floridians, transform communities and make the state a better place to live.

About AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps is funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency for volunteering and service, and recently marked its 25th anniversary. Since the program’s inception in 1994, more than 1.1 million AmeriCorps members have served the nation, providing more than 1.6 billion hours of service and earning nearly $4 billion in education awards to pay for college or pay back student loans. Those interested in serving can learn more at AmeriCorps.gov/join.