Senate Approves Federal Funding for Service and Service-Learning

Thanks to overwhelming support from the field, the U.S. Senate recently voted to increase funding for the Corporation for National and Community Service. On July 30, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved the Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2010 that, if agreed to, provides CNCS with $1.157 billion, $98 million more than that authorized by the U.S. House of Representatives.

The Senate voted to increase the Learn and Serve America program, which funds many state and local service-learning programs, to $40 million — an increase of 5 percent over the House passed bill — to the level the President requested. The Committee recommendation will help meet the AmeriCorps goal of 250,000 members established in the Kennedy Serve Act. The bill also includes funding for new programs such as the Social Innovation Fund at $50 million, $8 million for the Volunteer Generation fund, and $2 million for a nonprofit capacity-building program. For a chart of individual CNCS program listing the levels of funding, click here.

But the legislative process is not over yet. The House and Senate will begin negotiating the funding levels upon their return to Washington, D.C. September 8. Difficult decisions are ahead as there will be pressure to scale back the funding levels recommended by the Senate Committee.

During August, members of Congress will be in their states and home districts. These next few weeks provide excellent opportunities to connect with elected officials and explain the critical roles of service and service-learning. Call both Senators and Representatives to urge every member to sustain the funding levels for CNCS as approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee. Request the recommended $1.157 billion investment in the Senate Appropriations bill for CNCS during the Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Conference committee negotiations. Please call D.C., state, and district offices with the same message.

Also consider inviting representatives to back-to-school events. Many elected officials have a goal of visiting every school or district in their region. Help them achieve this goal by extending an invitation now for events in early September.