Peace Through Action AmeriCorps Planning Grant Summary

Peace Through Action USA has 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, provides us time and resources to build an AmeriCorps program that will be excellent, compliant, enduring, and ready to compete for a program grant in FY 2024.

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 will mobilize to implement the planning grant our chief executive officer, board of directors, professional staff, and an advisory group representative of prospective AmeriCorps sites and members.

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

• 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

Engage in Our AmeriCorps Planning Activities

We welcome and need other people and organizations to help us plan our AmeriCorps program.  Complete this Interest Form (https://bit.ly/ACPInterest) and let us know how you will help.

• Community organizations that may want an AmeriCorps member to help increase peace in their communities—apply to be a Peace Through Action AmeriCorps service site. Learn more here.
• Intermediary organizations representing grassroots, community-based and faith-based organizations, and municipal agencies—help us present our forthcoming AmeriCorps program to your constituents. Learn more here.
• Donors with an interest in increasing civic engagement and social cohesion in the United States—help us finance our forthcoming AmeriCorps program.
• Individuals wanting to start a peace project in your community—we might be able to help!

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