The Commission funds AmeriCorps Planning Grants so that community organizations and their partners have the resources, technical assistance, and support to develop “shovel-ready” AmeriCorps programs.
During the planning period, grantees work with an advisory committee of community members. Together, they focus on learning about AmeriCorps and refining how it will contribute to addressing the local need. At the end of a 10-month design period, the AmeriCorps program is proposed for operating funds.
Recipients of AmeriCorps Planning grants do not have service members. FMI on planning grant opportunities, contact Michael Ashmore (michael.ashmore@maine.gov).
Starting in 2025
Democracy Maine
DM will develop a program to address the lack of youth civic engagement and knowledge of “mattering” within community that impacts the lives of teenagers and young people across Maine in the focus area(s) of Franklin, Piscataquis, Somerset, Aroostook, Androscoggin, Sagadahoc, Kennebec, Lincoln, Knox, Hancock, Waldo, Washington, York, Oxford, and Penobscot. The AmeriCorps federal ARP investment $60,000 will support planning activities carried out in collaboration with JustME for JustUs, Maine Youth for Climate Justice, Maine Youth Power, Maine Department of Education, Maine Civics Network, CanWe Project, and Rural Aspirations.
Food for All Services
FFA will develop a program to serve Cumberland and Androscoggin counties. It will address the lack of nonprofit capacity that impacts the lives of Black people accessing the services in the AmeriCorps focus area(s) of economic opportunity and capacity building. The AmeriCorps federal ARP investment $59,966 will support planning activities.
Hospice Volunteers of Somerset County
HVOSC will develop a program to serve several locations in Somerset County, Skowhegan, Madison, Pittsfield, Bingham, Jackman, and their surrounding communities. It will help build a community volunteer program that impacts the lives of people who are experiencing an end of life journey due to an illness. The AmeriCorps focus areas are Healthy Futures, Veterans and Military Families and Capacity Building. The AmeriCorps federal ARP investment of $60,000 will support planning activities carried out in collaboration with Redington Fairview General Hospital, Northern Light Health, Sebasticook Valley Hospital, and FQHC’s in Bingham, Madison, Jackman and community members.
Completed in 2024
Maine Prisoner Re-entry Network, Augusta
The grantee proposed developing a statewide AmeriCorps program to support community reintegration after incarceration and reduced recidivism. Partners included the Department of Corrections, the Department of Labor, the Maine Association of Recovery Residences, the Maine Prisoner Advocacy Coalition, mental health providers, and representatives of formerly incarcerated citizens.
Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Deer Isle
Haystack Mountain developed a FAB Lab that they proposed to extend throughout Hancock County. The AmeriCorps program would increase access to workshops and training programs in coding, computer-aided design, 3D printing, and robotics for youth and underemployed or unemployed adults. The goal was to enhance the employment prospects of local residents.
A Climate To Thrive, Bar Harbor
The grantee proposed development of a statewide AmeriCorps program with a particular focus on communities identified as disadvantaged by the Justice40 rubric and that have the highest energy burdens. AmeriCorps members would help communities - particularly small, rural ones - address energy and resilience challenges.
Funded in 2023 or continuing from 2022
Alpha Legal Foundation, Portland
The grantee is a nonprofit that proposed to develop an AmeriCorps program that would place members in courthouses, legal aid organizations, and community-based organizations. The program would be an adaptation of an AmeriCorps program that has developed in other states as a complement to existing legal aid and court self-help resources.
Maine Prisoner Re-entry Network, Augusta
The grantee proposed to develop a statewide AmeriCorps program to support community reintegration after incarceration and reduced recidivism. Partners include Department of Corrections, business, Department of Labor, Maine Association of Recovery Residences, Maine Prisoner Advocacy Coalition, mental health providers, and representatives of formerly incarcerated citizens.
Maine Emergency Medical Services, Augusta*
Maine EMS proposed to develop a statewide AmeriCorps program to address increasing the quality of emergency medical services that impacts the lives of all visitors and residents of the State of Maine. The program would help address the disparities n quality assurance (compliance with existing standards) between smaller communities with fewer human resources and funding and larger communities.
Maine Department of Education, Augusta
The Office of School and Student Supports at the Maine Department of Education proposed to develop an AmeriCorps program to serve York County, ME. It focused on mental health, well-being, and access to resources that impact the lives of students PK-12, parents/families, and school personnel.
Unity College, New Gloucester
Unity proposed to work with the Moose River Valley/Jackman region’s residents to develop an AmeriCorps program based out of their Sky Lodge facility. The program would address workforce development and public health issues that impact the lives of area residents.
Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Deer Isle
Haystack Mountain developed a FAB Lab that they propose to extend throughout Hancock County. The AmeriCorps program would increase access to workshops and training programs in coding, computer-aided design, 3D printing, and robotics for youth and underemployed or unemployed adults. The goal would be to enhance the employment prospects of local residents.
Kennebec Valley Council of Governments, Fairfield*
KVCOG proposed to develop an AmeriCorps program that would address a shrinking and aging workforce in Kennebec, Somerset, and Waldo counties. Partners in the planning were Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce, KV Community Action Program, the Kennebec Regional Diversity Coalition, and the United Way of Kennebec Valley.
A Climate To Thrive, Bar Harbor
The grantee proposes to develop a statewide AmeriCorps program with a particular focus on communities identified as disadvantaged by the Justice 40 rubric and that have the highest energy burdens. AmeriCorps members would help communities - particularly small, rural ones -- address energy and resilience challenges.