Mt. Adams Institute receives $499,000 AmeriCorps grant

This grant will support AmeriCorps members in eleven states across the country. AmeriCorps members will tackle the critical challenges faced by our natural resources/public lands management agencies while supporting the Mt. Adams Institute’s mission to strengthen the connection between people and the natural world. Additionally, the VetsWork programs directly assist veterans seeking a career transition from the military to the civilian work force.

“AmeriCorps is an indispensable resource to help meet critical challenges facing our communities and nation,” said Brendan Norman, executive director of the Mt. Adams Institute. “We’re thrilled that the Corporation for National and Community Service has recognized the value that AmeriCorps members serving in our programs offer to communities. These AmeriCorps members will meet pressing local needs as they develop civic and leadership skills that last a lifetime.”

“AmeriCorps members make a powerful impact on the toughest challenges facing our nation,” said Wendy Spencer, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency that administers AmeriCorps. “As they serve others, AmeriCorps members will also expand opportunity for themselves - gaining skills and experience to jumpstart their careers. We congratulate the Mt. Adams Institute for their strong application, and thank all AmeriCorps members for their service.”

In addition to the grant funding, CNCS will make $259,355 in education scholarships for the AmeriCorps members funded by these grants to help pay for college, vocational training, or pay back student loans. After completing 1,700 hours of service, AmeriCorps members earn an education award of $5,775.

AmeriCorps operates as a public-private partnership that leverages significant amounts of outside resources to stretch the federal dollar and increase community impact. This grant will generate an additional $832,500 in local matching support and other outside resources from businesses, foundations, and other organizations.

AmeriCorps engages more than 75,000 members in intensive service annually to serve through nonprofit, faith-based, and community organizations at more than 21,000 locations across the country. These members help communities tackle pressing problems while mobilizing millions of volunteers for the organizations they serve.

Since 1994, 980,000 AmeriCorps members have given more than 1.3 billion hours of service to their country, earning more than $3 billion in education scholarships. Later this year, the one millionth AmeriCorps member will take the AmeriCorps pledge, committing to “get things done” for America.

Below is a listing of where Mt. Adams Institute’s AmeriCorps members will serve: Gifford Pinchot National Forest (NF), Mt. Hood NF, Deschutes NF, Wallowa-Whitman NF, Umatilla NF, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF, Mark Twain NF, Hoosier NF, Shawnee NF, Monongahela NF, Chattahoochee-Oconee NF, George Washington and Jefferson NF, Pisgah NF, Nantahala NF, Sumter NF, Ouachita NF, Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery, King Conservation District, Conboy National Wildlife Refuge, Columbia National Wildlife Refuge.