After$chool funding: AmeriCorps

Welcome to our series on funding and sustainability for afterschool and summer learning programs! We will be sharing information about top funding streams and how to access them every Friday during this campaign. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to make sure you get regular updates.

AmeriCorps is a federal agency that connects Americans with service opportunities aimed at improving communities and addressing national challenges. Through partnerships with over 12,000 schools as well as many community-based organizations, AmeriCorps provides vital support in areas like tutoring, mentoring, and afterschool program development.

In afterschool and summer learning programs, AmeriCorps members play critical roles by leading activities, serving as coaches, and building program capacity through volunteer recruitment and training. By reaching urban, rural, and low-income schools—including 1 in 4 low-performing schools nationwide—AmeriCorps ensures that these programs have the dedicated individuals and resources needed to offer high-quality opportunities for all youth, particularly those from underserved communities.

Quick facts about AmeriCorps:

• Who controls the money: The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) and State Service Commissions
• Who is eligible to work with AmeriCorps members: Schools, local education agencies, nonprofits, and state and local government agencies
• How long do grants last: 3+ years
• How long does each member serve: Most AmeriCorps members serve full-time for 10-12 months, contributing up to 1,700 hours per year.

For more than 20 years, AmeriCorps programs and members have provided crucial support to afterschool and summer programs by expanding their capacity and creating additional educational opportunities in communities of all sizes. Here are some examples of how different states have successfully leveraged the AmeriCorps program:

Each year, the Utah Afterschool Network works with more than 100 AmeriCorps members to support tutoring and lead afterschool activities. Members work closely with students on hands-on STEM projects designed to match their specific needs and interests.

In Maine, The Game Loft's I Know ME Program benefits from the support of three AmeriCorps members who mentor rural youth in grades 7 through 12. Through field trips across the state—including visits to community leaders, the state legislature, and Maine’s 48 state parks—the teens gain a stronger sense of identity and a connection to their local communities, helping them understand the role they play in their state.

Interested in hosting AmeriCorps members in your program? Visit the AmeriCorps website for further details on how to apply. Additionally, the Afterschool Alliance hosts AmeriCorps VISTA members in states across the country. These AmeriCorps VISTA members work on various projects building capacity for afterschool and summer learning programs, including overall program sustainability, access to afterschool meals, STEM education, and substance misuse prevention. Visit the Afterschool Alliance AmeriCorps VISTA page to learn more about current opportunities.

To learn more about funding streams available to help you sustain your out-of-school time program, check out our new sustainability page!