The mission of AmeriCorps, officially known as the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), is to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic participation through service and volunteering. AmeriCorps engages millions of Americans in a variety of service programs across many sectors, aiming to meet community and national challenges through service and volunteer action.
The AmeriCorps grants program aims to support organizations engaging AmeriCorps members in evidence-based or evidence-informed interventions and practices to strengthen communities. The focus areas for the grant include Disaster Services, Economic Opportunity, Education, Environmental Stewardship, Healthy Futures, and support for Veterans and Military Families. These areas are chosen to maximize the impact of investment in national service and to achieve the goals laid out in AmeriCorps’ Strategic Plan. Additionally, specific funding priorities are aligned with the needs of Arkansas, as outlined in the 2023-2026 State Service Plan by EngageAR, focusing on education (especially initiatives encouraging a culture of reading), health, sustainable food systems, and economic opportunity.