Peace Through Action AmeriCorps Planning Grant Summary

Peace Through Action USA received an award from AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, to plan a national service program focused on civic engagement and social cohesion. AmeriCorps made its award in February 2023 through the AmeriCorps State and National American Rescue Plan Planning Grants funding opportunity. The $76,717 award, matched with $52,428 in private funding, provided us time and resources to build an AmeriCorps program that would be excellent, compliant, enduring, and ready to compete for an operating grant in a future funding cycle.

Planning Grant Outputs

During the award period (April 2023-March 2024), Peace Through Action will make program design decisions and develop the procedures and materials we will need to compete successfully for an AmeriCorps national service program. Among the completed products will be:

• a compliance kit to help sites receiving AmeriCorps members fulfill their responsibilities.
• a guide for our AmeriCorps members to perform the duties of their service positions.
• a resources and services directory of civic engagement, social cohesion, and peaceful practices to help sites and members select and deliver effective interventions in their local communities.
• new youth and adult social and emotional development interventions.
• a strengthened accounting system compliant with financial management standards.
• a detailed sustainability plan and sustainability materials.

Grant Personnel

Peace Through Action mobilized to implement the planning grant our chief executive officer, board of directors, and professional staff.

Also, we retained a team of independent contractor subject experts to assist in our AmeriCorps planning:

• Kelly Connelly, visual content developer
• Jennifer Cowart, AmeriCorps program compliance advisor
• Carol Hamilton, AmeriCorps program interventions advisor
• Susan Meche, accounting and regulatory compliance advisor
• Maggie Gunther Osborn, AmeriCorps program sustainability advisor
• Amy Salinas, AmeriCorps program compliance advisor

About AmeriCorps

AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, 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 200,000 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.

AmeriCorps offers opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds to be a part of the national service community, grow personally and professionally, and receive benefits for their service. Learn how to get involved at AmeriCorps.gov/serve.

Peace Through Action AmeriCorps Resources

• Peace Through Action AmeriCorps homepage
• Planning Grant Award Announcement
• Planning Grant webpage
• Planning Grant Information Sheet
• Peace Through Action AmeriCorps Interest Form
• Peace Through Action AmeriCorps Program page
• Peace Through Action AmeriCorps Program Information Sheet
• Peace Through Action AmeriCorps Presentation
• Peace Through Action AmeriCorps Service Site Application
• Peace Through Action AmeriCorps Service Site Application Instructions
• Peace Through Action AmeriCorps FAQ for Prospective Service Sites
• Peace Through Action AmeriCorps Service Term and Site Participation Fee Table