AmeriCorps Funding May Be in Jeopardy - Contact Your Representatives Today

I just received a message from Voices of Service last night with the following message; essentially saying that we must all act now to ensure that funding for AmeriCorps programs is not cut in 2009:

Voices for National Service has learned that funding for AmeriCorps programs for 2009 is in jeopardy, and it is imperative that national service supporters contact their Members of Congress TODAY to intercede with Appropriators.

Action Item - Call Your Member of Congress:
Please call your Members of Congress immediately and ask them to protect AmeriCorps funding so that programs can deliver much needed services to communities across the country. Below is information on how to contact your Members of Congress and talking points for your use. We have also listed the Appropriators in the House and Senate. We especially need individuals residing or serving in Appropriators’ districts to reach out directly to them. If you do not reside or serve in an Appropriators district, please call your Members of Congress and ask them to weigh in with Appropriators.

To connect to your legislators in the Senate dial the Senate switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask them to connect you. To connect to your legislators in the House dial the switchboard at (202) 225-3121 ask them to connect you.

Background Information: At this very moment, congressional appropriators are in final negotiations on an comprehensive FY2009 funding bill. They expect to finish negotiating the details this week. It has recently been brought to our attention that AmeriCorps State and National and the National Service Trust require a combined appropriation of $420.3 million to sustain the same level of service communities have relied upon in 2008. This figure is $41 million above last year’s appropriations and $14.1 million above the Administration’s original request submitted to Congress in February.

We understand this is a significant increase over last year’s appropriation, but due to a perfect storm of conditions, that includes a significant administrative change at the Corporation, this increase is necessary to sustain the present field of programs and members. Level funding for AmeriCorps will not allow the same number of Americans to serve in 2009 as participated in 2008 due to a number of programmatic factors including: changes in AmeriCorps grant-making from two year to one year funding, the need to transfer funds from programs to the National Service Trust to cover AmeriCorps education awards, and increased support for disaster response and recovery in the Gulf region.

The next 24 hours are critical, as the Appropriations Committee is making decisions on the fiscal 2009 funding bills right now. We need our legislators to weigh in and ask that the appropriation be increased to avoid devastating program cuts. The brunt of the impact would likely fall on programs that are recompeting for funds. Under the present funding assumptions (i.e. 2008 funding levels), the pool of funds available to state competitive programs could be $20 million, 50% less than what is needed.

Talking Points:
1. Right now Congressional appropriators are negotiating fiscal year 2009 funding levels for AmeriCorps.
2. We’ve been told that AmeriCorps State and National and the National Service Trust need a combined appropriation of $420.3 million to sustain AmeriCorps programs that are delivering much needed service to communities. This is $41 million above the fiscal year 2008 appropriation.
3. We understand that this is a significant increase, but due to congressionally-mandated administrative changes at the Corporation for National and Community Service, the additional funds are needed to simply sustain the same level of service in 2009. This additional funding would not grow the program, just sustain it.
4. AmeriCorps grantees engage 75,000 Americans in providing important services through thousands of nonprofit community-based organizations, schools, land management agencies, and other groups that are meeting critical needs. Many of these organizations are already struggling with the recent economic downturn, and a cut in AmeriCorps would further reduce their ability to serve people in need.
5. A significant reduction in the federal appropriation will force groups to cut back or eliminate services to communities, and deprive thousands of young people the opportunity to serve their country and earn education awards to pursue their dreams of higher education. This is not the time to cut services to those in need and limit opportunities for young people to earn stipends and educational opportunities for their service.
6. An increased appropriation for AmeriCorps is urgently needed to prevent the collapse of our programs.
7. Your Congressperson should instruct the Appropriations Committee to increase the FY09 allocation for AmeriCorps.