Skip to Content
news

Press Releases

Pingree Announces $1.18M for Maine Volunteer Programs from American Rescue Plan

Federal funds will strengthen volunteer service in Maine, provide relief for vulnerable communities disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic

Washington, September 29, 2021

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) announced that AmeriCorps, the federal agency for service and volunteering, has awarded $1,186,463 in American Rescue Plan funding to the State Service Commission and AmeriCorps State and National grantees in Maine. 

 

“The desire to help each other is one of the things I love most about Mainers. Our state’s volunteer community is strong and proud,” said Congresswoman Pingree. “This major funding award is another example of just how monumental the American Rescue Plan is and shows it’s already having a real, positive impact on Maine. I’ve said it before, and I will keep saying it: The American Rescue Plan is one of the most important pieces of legislation Congress will ever pass. Its benefits go beyond recovering from the pandemic—it makes a brighter and better future possible.”

 

Volunteer Maine, the Governor-appointed State Service Commission, was awarded $1,076,779 in American Rescue Plan funds to increase cost-of-living allowances, stabilize state AmeriCorps programs, and expand AmeriCorps opportunities in Maine over the next three years.

 

The Maine Conservation Corps AmeriCorps Program will receive a $109,684 grant from the American Rescue Plan to:

  • Increase the minimum living allowance of a full-time member to not less than $16,000;
  • To replace cash match funding grantees were unable to meet due to the pandemic;
  • And expand existing program models to engage more AmeriCorps members.

 

Between 2019 and 2020, AmeriCorps used $6.8 million in federal funding to connect 1,900 volunteers nationwide and support communities. AmeriCorps volunteers served at more than 300 locations across Maine last year, including schools, food banks, homeless shelters, health clinics, and more. 

 

In March, Pingree voted for the final passage of the American Rescue Plan, historic legislation that makes investments to crush the virus, create millions of jobs, provide direct relief to working families, and help schools safely open. 

 

###