DES MOINES, IA – Volunteer Iowa announced today that it received a grant of $195,853 from AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism. The grant will expand Volunteer Iowa’s ability to engage volunteers on 9/11 Day of Service. Ten local governments and twenty nonprofits across Iowa will be selected to receive training, coaching, and implementation funding to build their capacity to effectively engage volunteers. Participating governments and nonprofits will then host a Day of Service on September 11, 2024, where over 2500 volunteers will serve in projects meeting important needs in their community, while reigniting a commitment to volunteering year-round.
AmeriCorps partners with local community organizations to help improve lives, strengthen communities and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering. The Days of Service grant competition includes funding for both September 11th Day of Service and Remembrance and Martin Luther King, Jr,. Day of Service.
The September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance grant funding is to mobilize more Americans to engage in service activities that meet vital community needs and honor the sacrifice of those who lost their lives or family members on September 11, 2001, or who rose in service as a result of that tragedy.
"Meaningful volunteering doesn't just happen. It takes leadership buy-in and organizational commitment to ensure positions are impactful and that staff and volunteers have the training and support they need to be successful," said Adam Lounsbury, Volunteer Iowa Executive Director. This grant funding will help cities and nonprofits create new opportunities that empower Iowans to directly improve their communities in a positive and meaningful way, by providing the tools and resources that make that happen."
With this new funding, Volunteer Iowa will enhance the skills and experience of local governments and nonprofits in organizing volunteers to serve, meeting the needs of the community, and honoring the 9/11 Day of Service in Iowa. Applications for cities and nonprofits to participate will open in the fall.
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About Volunteer Iowa
Volunteer Iowa and its partner agencies work with organizations and individuals on three main fronts. The first is to help agencies develop quality programs that use service as a strategy to fulfill their missions and address Iowa’s greatest areas of need. The second is to help engage Iowans in their communities by promoting service and expanding the volunteer base. Finally, the third area of work is to connect individuals with appropriate service opportunities by building the volunteer infrastructure. More information is available at volunteeriowa.org.
About AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps, the federal agency for volunteerism and national service, provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the agency places more than 250,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in intensive service roles; and empowers millions more to serve as long-term, short-term, or one-time volunteers. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.