$2.3 Million Awarded to 11 AmeriCorps Programs Across Maine

Augusta, Maine -- 367 AmeriCorps positions were funded to serve communities in all of Maine’s 16
counties representing an increase in both positions and funding over the previous year.

In addition to the 2.3 million in Federal dollars, these initiatives will be bolstered by an additional $2.24 million in local funds and in-kind contributions. The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the Federal agency supporting National Service programs, and the Maine Commission for Community Service (MCCS) awarded 11 Maine AmeriCorps programs with a total of $2.3 million. These funds will support AmeriCorps members serving communities to address opioid misuse, enhance K-12 education for underserved populations and at-risk youth, improve access and conserve the environment, increase digital literacy in rural areas, and augment job skills and job readiness, among other outcomes.

MCCS approved funding for seven programs, four of which applied for funds through the Maine Rural State AmeriCorps Grant Initiative. This new grant design allows for smaller organizations in rural states, such as Maine, who do not have the internal capacity to apply for a traditional full size AmeriCorps grant to downsize their programs and host 2-5 members instead. The four organizations to successfully receive Rural State Grants are Brunswick School Department, Trekkers Inc., Midcoast Conservancy, and Colby College. MCCS also awarded funds to three larger programs, Eastern Maine Development Corporation, RSU #14, and Axiom Education & Training.

• Brunswick School Department, Brunswick [$73,798/5 members]
• Trekkers, Inc., Thomaston [$29,864/2 members]
• Midcoast Conservancy, Edgecomb [$53,673/4 members]
• Colby College, Waterville [$29,828/2 members]
• Eastern Maine Development Corp., Bangor [$116,796/38 members]
• RSU #14, Windham [$151,741/22 members]
• Axiom Education & Training, Machias [$233,168/16 members]

Earlier this year, MCCS recommended four applications to the Federal AmeriCorps competition for
funding consideration by CNCS. These four organizations were successful in this two-tiered grant
competition: University of Southern Maine/Maine Campus Compact, LearningWorks, Healthy Acadia, and the Maine Department of Agriculture/Maine Conservation Corps.

• University of Southern Maine/Maine Campus Compact, Portland [$177,893/38 members]
“Advancing Volunteerism. Strengthening Communities.”
• LearningWorks, Portland [$497,646/101 members]
• Healthy Acadia, Ellsworth [$283,768/30 members]
• ME Dept. of Agriculture/Maine Conservation Corps, Augusta [$660,224/109 members]

For more information on current Maine AmeriCorps programs visit
www.maineservicecommission.gov/national-service.

The Maine Commission for Community Service builds capacity and sustainability in Maine's volunteer and service communities by funding programs, developing managers of volunteers, raising awareness of sector issues, and promoting service as a strategy.

The Commission was established in 1994 by Executive Order and under state statute in 1995. The 25
board members of the Commission are appointed by the governor to three-year terms and each
represents a specific segment of Maine's volunteer sector.

The Commission is Maine government’s partner for the federal Corporation for National Service.

The mission of the Corporation for National and Community Service is to improve lives, strengthen
communities and fortify the civic health of the nation. For more information on CNCS,
visit www.nationalservice.gov