Volunteer Tennessee Awards $7.4 Million in AmeriCorps Grants

NASHVILLE, TN – Volunteer Tennessee, the state’s governor-appointed commission on
volunteerism and service, today announced that Tennessee received nearly $7.4 million in
AmeriCorps grant funding from AmeriCorps, the federal agency responsible for national service
and volunteer programs.

These grants will support nearly 900 AmeriCorps members across the state as they serve with 18
organizations. The AmeriCorps members will tackle critical challenges in Tennessee, including
supporting students with tutoring and mentoring, providing health services, restoring the
environment, increasing economic opportunities, and recruiting and managing volunteers.

“National service is an essential part of the solution to many of the toughest problems facing our
state,” said Donovan Robertson, Chair of the Volunteer Tennessee commission. “These
AmeriCorps members will meet pressing local needs and strengthen communities as they
develop civic and leadership skills to last a lifetime. I congratulate these outstanding
organizations and thank all those who serve their communities through AmeriCorps.”

Of the $800 million awarded nationally, $7.4 million will be granted to Volunteer Tennessee,
which in turn will award grants to nonprofit organizations and public agencies across the state.
The law creating AmeriCorps gave a key role to states in determining how national service
resources are used and in promoting service and volunteering to meet community needs.

Every year, 250,000 AmeriCorps members serve through over 2,000 schools, nonprofits, and
community and faith-based organizations across the country. These citizens have played a
critical role in the recovery of communities affected by COVID and natural disasters and helped
thousands of first-generation college students access higher education.

AmeriCorps’ unique model means that the grants announced today will leverage an additional
$15 million from the private sector, foundations, and other sources – further increasing the return
on the federal investment.

AmeriCorps will also provide nearly $6 million in Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards for the
AmeriCorps members funded by these grants in Tennessee. After completing a full term of
service, AmeriCorps members receive an award of approximately $6,500 that they can use to pay
for college or to pay off student loans.

The grants awarded will support AmeriCorps members in all three regions of Tennessee,
including Teach for America, Hands On Nashville, Emerald Youth Foundation, and Bridges
USA. A complete list of awards, including organizations and funding totals can be found here.