Governor Announces $3 Million In Federal AmeriCorps Grants

Together with the Governor’s Office of Community Service, Gov. Greg Gianforte has announced seven Montana organizations will receive more than $3 million in federal grants from Ameri-Corps.

“Service is at the core of our Montana values, and these seven organizations go above and beyond in serving others and making a difference in our communities,” Gianforte said. “Using these AmeriCorps grants, they can continue their important work to bolster community and human services, promote education and tourism, develop our workforce, and maintain water and soil health.”

“AmeriCorps members served through the many challenging months of COVID-19 — and many returned for another term of service this year, ready to help Montana come back stronger than before,” said Office of Community Service director Sarah R. Sadowski, a two-term AmeriCorps VISTA alumna. “The selfless commitment of our national service programs and members makes them one of the Treasure State’s greatest treasures.”

Each AmeriCorps grant announced is matched by local resources. A total of $3,167,771.50 will support AmeriCorps State programs, their members and other national service efforts across Montana:

•$482,800 to Big Sky Watershed Corps — Big Sky Watershed Corps ensures the health of Montana’s water, a critical resource for farming, ranching and tourism. AmeriCorps members contribute innovation and skills within local watershed organizations, perform water and soil testing, and mobilize volunteers to improve at-risk ecosystems. (34 members)

•$439,749 to Eastern Montana Communities in Action Corps — AmeriCorps members address community needs and work to increase quality of life across eastern Montana. Areas of service include workforce development, access to healthy food, substance use prevention and treatment, mental health services, and suicide prevention. Members provide health education, engage community partners and build capacity. (27 members)

•$389,213 to Montana Campus Compact AmeriCorps — AmeriCorps members provide college access and success services to first generation college students and low-income youth across Montana. AmeriCorps members leverage 250 community volunteers to engage in National Days of Service and college access programming. (52 members)

•$368,000 to Montana Legal Services Association Justice for Montanans Project — Justice for Montanans empowers low- to moderate-income Montanans to navigate the legal system and increase access to civil justice. AmeriCorps members provide direct service to clients, expand intake, provide legal information and referrals, and manage cases in coordination with attorneys. (23 members)

•$285,120 to Montana State Parks AmeriCorps — AmeriCorps members promote healthy, active, and engaged communities by enhancing park land, enriching interpretive education, engaging volunteers and improving community outreach in 30 state parks. (20 members)

•$324,107 to AmeriCorps planning grants — Planning grants help local organizations expand operations and capacity. Funds will be awarded to well-qualified applicants by the Montana Commission on Community Service; recipients will be announced later this summer.

•$878,782.50 to Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards — Each service member earns an education award upon successful completion of service, paid directly to a post-secondary educational institution, training program, or qualified student loan servicer.

The governor also announced that after 28 years as a state program, Montana Conservation Corps is transitioning to an AmeriCorps National Direct program which will continue serving Montana and other states in the rural West. MCC received $1,994,000 to fund their work in protecting and improving parks, public lands, trails, rivers, and atrisk ecosystems to benefit communities across Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, North Dakota, and South Dakota. As a member of the AmeriCorps Disaster Response Team, Montana Conservation Corps will also deploy members on FEMA-authorized missions. Expanding and promoting national service and community volunteerism in Montana, the Governor’s Office of Community Service partners with AmeriCorps programs to meet the service goals and community needs outlined in the State Service Plan.

Montanans can contribute to the next State Service Plan by taking the quick, anonymous Community Needs Assessment online.