The Corporation for National and Community Service: Overview of Programs and FY2009 Funding

The Corporation for National and
Community Service: Overview of Programs
and FY2009 Funding
Updated March 19, 2008
Ann Lordeman
Specialist in Social Legislation
Domestic Social Policy Division
Abigail B. Rudman
Information Research Specialist
Knowledge Services Group

The Corporation for National and Community Service:
Overview of Programs and FY2009 Funding
Summary
The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) is an
independent federal agency that administers the programs authorized by two statutes:
the National and Community Service Act (NCSA, P.L. 101-610) of 1990, as
amended, and the Domestic Volunteer Service Act (DVSA, P.L. 93-113) of 1973, as
amended. This report first provides an overview of each NCSA and DVSA program
and then compares CNCS funding from the FY2007 appropriation (P.L. 110-5),
FY2008 appropriation (P.L. 110-161), and the FY2009 budget request.
The NCSA is designed to meet unmet human, educational, environmental, and
public safety needs, and to renew an ethic of civic responsibility by encouraging
citizens to participate in national service programs. The NCSA authorizes four
community service programs: Learn and Serve America, AmeriCorps State and
National Grants, the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC), and the Points of
Light Foundation. The NCSA also authorizes the National Service Trust, which
funds educational awards for community service participants.
A central purpose of the DVSA, which authorizes the Volunteers in Service to
America (VISTA) program and the National Senior Volunteer Corps, is to foster and
expand voluntary service in communities while helping the vulnerable, the
disadvantaged, the elderly, and the poor. The National Senior Volunteer Corps
includes three main programs: the Foster Grandparents Program, the Senior
Companion Program, and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP).
Appropriations for the DVSA and the NCSA programs are made annually
through the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and
Related Agencies Appropriations Act (Labor-HHS-ED). The FY2008 Consolidated
Appropriations Act (P.L. 110-161), enacted on December 26, 2007, provided $856.3
million for CNCS. For FY2009, the President has requested $829.7 million.
This report will be updated as warranted by legislative developments.

Contents
Most Recent Developments..........................................1
In troduction ......................................................1
Program-by-Program Overview and FY2009 Funding.....................2
NCSA Programs and Funding....................................2
Learn and Serve America (Title I-B)...........................2
AmeriCorps State and National Grants (Title I-C)................2
National Service Trust (Title I-D).............................3
National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) (Title I-E)...........3
Points of Light Foundation (Title III)..........................4
DVSA Programs and Funding....................................5
VISTA (Title I-A).........................................5
National Senior Volunteer Corps (Title II)......................5
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) (Title II-A).....5
Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) (Title II-B)..............5
Senior Companion Program (SCP) (Title II-C)...............6
List of Tables
Table 1. Educational Awards by Service Term..........................3
Table 2. Corporation for National and Community Service Funding..........7

The Corporation for National and
Community Service: Overview of Programs
and FY2009 Funding
Most Recent Developments
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 (P.L. 110-161), signed by the
President on December 26, 2007, funds the Corporation for National and Community
Service (CNCS) at $856.3 million, which reflects a reduction of 1.747%, per Section

528(a) of the act. The President’s FY2009 budget requests $829.7 million.

Introduction
The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) was established
by the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993 (P.L. 103-82). Operating
as an independent federal agency, the CNCS oversees all national and community
service programs authorized in two statutes: the National Community Service Act¹
(NCSA) of 1990, as amended, and the Domestic Volunteer Service Act (DVSA) of

1973,² as amended.

Although authorized funding for CNCS programs expired at the end of FY1996,
funding continues through annual appropriations. DVSA programs have been
continually funded under the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and
Related Agencies (L-HHS-ED) Appropriations Act. Since FY2006, funding for
NCSA programs have also been included in the L-HHS-ED appropriations.³
This report first provides a summary of each NCSA and DVSA program. Next,
it compares funding under Labor-HHS-ED in:
^!the FY2007 Continuing Appropriations Resolution (P.L. 110-5),
^!the FY2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act (P.L. 110-161), and
^!the President’s FY2009 Budget of the U.S. Government (request).

¹ National and Community Service Act (NCSA) of 1990, P.L. 101-610.
² Domestic Volunteer Service Act (DVSA) of 1973, P.L. 93-113.
³ Prior to FY2006, funding for NCSA programs was under the Veterans Affairs and Housing
and Urban Development (VA-HUD) Appropriations Act.

Program-by-Program Overview and FY2009 Funding
NCSA Programs and Funding
On November 16, 1990, the National Community Service Act (NCSA) of 1990
was signed into law to address unmet human, educational, environmental, and public
safety needs. One main purpose of NCSA is to renew an ethic of civil responsibility
and community spirit in the U.S. by encouraging citizens to participate in national
service programs. NCSA, as amended in 1993, includes Learn and Serve America,
AmeriCorps State and National Grants, the National Service Trust, National Civilian
Community Corps (NCCC), and the Points of Light Foundation. Table 2 contains
funding information for NCSA programs.
Learn and Serve America (Title I-B). Program Focus: Since 1990, Learn
and Serve America (LSA) has authorized three community service programs
benefitting students and communities. These programs provide for “service-
learning” (i.e., student mentoring and tutoring) or collaborative efforts between
schools and local communities addressing local community issues in areas such as
education, public safety, human services, and the environment. The three programs
are (1) school-based programs for students, (2) community-based programs for
school-age young people, and (3) higher-education programs of community service
for post-secondary students. Eligibility: elementary, secondary, and post-secondary
students. Benefits: the Learn and Service America programs offer no stipends,
educational awards, or other direct benefits. Administrative Entity: LSA programs
are administered, depending on the program, by (1) CNCS, (2) an independent state
education agency, (3) a state commission on national service, or (4) a public or
private nonprofit organization.
AmeriCorps State and National Grants (Title I-C). Program Focus:
Programs under AmeriCorps State and National Grants identify and address critical
community needs, including tutoring and mentoring disadvantaged youth, managing
or operating after-school programs, helping communities respond to disasters,
improving health services, building affordable housing, and cleaning parks and
streams. Created in 1993, AmeriCorps was developed as a network of local, state,
and national service programs for individuals aged 17 and older. Grants include
formula and competitive grants to states, national competitive grants to nonprofit
organizations, grants to national and local organizations for the Education Award⁴
Program (EAP), and grants to U.S. territories and Indian tribes. Eligibility:
individuals aged 17 and older. Amount of Volunteer Service: full-time or part-time
for a nine- to 12-month period. Benefits: AmeriCorps members receive a living
allowance and, in some cases, student-loan forbearance (i.e., loan postponement),
health coverage, and child care for those who qualify. AmeriCorps members can

⁴ Education Award Programs (EAP) members receive educational awards and loan
forbearance, if applicable, but do not receive other federally funded benefits such as a living
allowance.

receive an educational award⁵ of up to $4,725 per year of full-time service, the
amount is reduced based on service term or part-time hours (see Table 1).
Administrative Entity: Each state Governor appoints members of a service
commission to manage, monitor, and administer annual grant applications for the
state. CNCS reviews the State Commission formula package and makes the awards.
CNCS selects all other grantees and makes the awards.
Table 1. Educational Awards by Service Term
Member Service TermNumber of HoursEducational Award ($)
Full timeat least 1,7004,725.00
Half timeat least 9002,362.50
Reduced half timeat least 6751,800.00
Quarter timeat least 4501,250.00
Minimum timeat least 3001,000.00
^Source:^C^N^C^S^{, F}^Y^{2009 C}^oⁿ^g^r^es^sⁱ^on^al^Bu^dg^et^Ju^s^tⁱ^fⁱ^catⁱ^oⁿ.
National Service Trust (Title I-D). The National Service Trust, a special
account in the U.S. Treasury, provides a maximum of two educational awards per
volunteer participant in AmeriCorps Grants, the National Civilian Community Corps
(NCCC), and VISTA. The trust fund also provides funding for scholarships to high
school students rewarded for outstanding community service. Additionally, the
National Service Trust provides interest payments on qualified student loans to
recipients of AmeriCorps Grants and participants in NCCC or VISTA who have
obtained forbearance (loan postponement).
National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) (Title I-E). Program
Focus: NCCC is a residential program that focuses on short-term projects such as
building homes for low-income families and helping to provide disaster relief.
Eligibility: individuals aged 18 to 24. Amount of volunteer service: participants can
serve up to two years full-time. Full-time service is defined as 10 months each year.
Benefits: NCCC participants may receive a living allowance, room and board, and
an educational award of $4,725 per year of service. Administrative Entity: NCCC
programs are administered by the CNCS.
Program Update: the FY2007 Presidential budget proposed the elimination of
the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC).⁶ According to the
Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) Program Assessment Rating Tool
(PART) assessment, AmeriCorps NCCC was rated ineffective due to significant
flaws in the program’s design, performance, and cost effectiveness.

⁵ AmeriCorps Educational Awards are funded under the National Service Trust. These
awards are intended to help pay qualified student loans, or finance college, graduate school,
or eligible vocational training.
⁶ U.S. Office of Management and Budget, Program Assessment: AmeriCorps National
Civilian Community Corps, available at [http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/expectmore/
summa ry/10004457.2005.html ].

In response, the CNCS significantly restructured the NCCC as a less expensive
program predominately focused on disaster relief and recovery⁷. Although the NCCC
closed two of its five campuses in FY2007, Washington, D.C. and Charleston, S.C.,
Congress provided start-up funding in FY2008 for two new residential campuses:
Vinton, IA, and in Vicksburg, MS. The three remaining NCCC campuses are in
Sacramento, CA, Denver, CO, and Perry Point, MD. Despite the decrease in the
FY2009 requested funding, 59% less than the FY2008 level, or $9.836 million, the
CNCS plans to implement a private sector fund-raising strategy for the NCCC to
keep the number of member service years (MSY) at 1,120, the same as the FY2008
level.⁸
In FY2007, the NCCC began a new residential program, a Summer of Service,
targeted to 250 youth from disadvantaged circumstances (between the ages of 14 and
17) in New Orleans, LA, Denver, CO, and Charleston, SC. The three-week program
contains projects in areas such as education, the environment, and hurricane recovery.
CNCS estimated that 250 youth will also participate in the program in FY2008 and
proposes 300 participants for FY2009.⁹
Points of Light Foundation (Title III). The Points of Light Foundation is
a nonprofit charitable organization that functions as an independent and autonomous
entity. The foundation promotes community service through a partnership with the
Volunteer Center National Network. The purposes of the Points of Light Foundation
are to (1) encourage all Americans to help solve critical social problems by
volunteering, (2) identify successful and promising community service projects and
disseminate information about them, and (3) discover new leaders and develop
individuals and institutions that serve as examples of commitment to others.
Program Update: Prior to and including FY2007, funds were designated for the
Points of Light Foundation during the annual appropriations process. In FY2008,
previous partnership grantees, including the Points of Light Foundation, will be
eligible to compete for merit-based grants as funded under Subtitle-H, the Innovation,
Demonstration, and Assistance Activities.¹⁰ For FY2009, the Points of Light may be
eligible to compete for new competitive award(s) or continue a multi-year grant
awarded competitively in FY2008.¹¹

⁷ The Corporation for National and Community Service, FY2008 Congressional Budget
Justification, available at [http://www.nationalservice.gov/pdf/2008_budget_justification.
pdf].
⁸ A Member Service Year is the equivalent of one full time term of service.
⁹ Correspondence to CRS from the Corporation for National and Community Service, March

12, 2008.

¹⁰ The Joint Explanatory Statement, Congressional Record, daily edition (December 17,

2007), p. H16282.

¹¹ The Corporation for National and Community Service, FY2009 Congressional Budget
Justification, p. 64, available at
[http://www.nationalservi ce.gov/ pdf/2009_budget_j ustification.pdf].

DVSA Programs and Funding
In 1973, Congress passed the Domestic Volunteer Service Act (DVSA). The
purpose of DVSA is to foster and expand voluntary citizen service throughout the
nation. DVSA programs are designed to help the poor, the disadvantaged, the
vulnerable and the elderly. Administered by the CNCS, the DVSA programs include
the Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) and the National Senior Volunteer
Corps. The National Senior Volunteer Corps consists of the Retired and Senior
Volunteer Program (RSVP), the Foster Grandparent Program, and the Senior
Companion Program. Table 2 contains funding information for DVSA programs.
VISTA (Title I-A). Program Focus: the Volunteers in Service to America
(VISTA) program encourages Americans to participate in community service in an
effort to eliminate poverty. Eligibility: individuals aged 18 and older. Amount of
volunteer service: VISTA members serve full-time for up to three years. Benefits:
VISTA members may receive a living allowance, student-loan forbearance (i.e.,
postponement), health coverage, relocation costs, training, and child care assistance.
VISTA participants receive an educational award of up to $4,725 per year of full-
time service or a $1,200 “lump sum” cash stipend from the National Service Trust.
The maximum number of educational awards per participant is two; the maximum
number of lump-sum payments per participant is three. Administrative Entity:
CNCS state offices.
National Senior Volunteer Corps (Title II). The National Senior
Volunteer Corps consists of three programs, summarized below: the Retired Senior
Volunteer Program (RSVP), the Foster Grandparent Program (FGP), and the Senior
Companion Program (SCP). The FY2009 Presidential budget request is $174 million
for all three programs comprising the Senior Corps, reflecting an overall decrease
of approximately 19%. Specifically, the Foster Grandparent Program would be
reduced by 38%, while the Senior Companion Program would remain the same and
funding for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program would increase by 2%.
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) (Title II-A). Program
Focus: volunteers in the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) may play
community service roles in education, health and nutrition services, community and
economic development, and other areas of human need. Eligibility: individuals aged
55 and older. Amount of volunteer service: participants can contribute up to 40
hours each week. Benefits: the RSVP offers no direct benefits (e.g., stipends or
educational awards). Administrative Entity: CNCS state offices.
Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) (Title II-B). Program Focus: the
Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) supports children with exceptional needs by
providing aid and services. FGP members mentor children and teenagers, teach
model parenting skills, and help care for premature infants and children with
disabilities. Eligibility: individuals must be 60 or older and meet income eligibility
requirements. Amount of volunteer service: volunteer schedules, which range from
15 to 40 hours each week, average 20 hours a week. Benefits: if qualified, members
may receive a stipend of $2.65 an hour. Members may also receive mileage
reimbursements and accident, liability, and automobile insurance coverage during
assignments. Administrative Entity: CNCS state offices.

Senior Companion Program (SCP) (Title II-C). Program Focus: the
Senior Companion Program (SCP) gives older adults the opportunity to assist frail,
homebound individuals, most of whom are elderly. SCP volunteers help with such
tasks as finding transportation to medical appointments, paying bills, and buying
groceries. Eligibility: individuals must be 60 or older and meet income eligibility
requirements. Amount of volunteer service: volunteer schedules, which range from
15 to 40 hours each week, average 20 hours a week. Benefits: participants receive
a stipend of $2.65 an hour. Members may also receive mileage reimbursements and
accident, liability, and automobile insurance coverage during assignments.
Administrative Entity: CNCS state offices.

Table 2. Corporation for
National and Community Service Funding
⁽ⁱⁿ^t^h^ou^s^aⁿ^d^s^of^dol^l^a^rs⁾
^a F Y 2009
ProgramsFY2007 Approp.FY2008 Approp. Request
Learn and Serve America (NCSA Program)37,12537,45932,099
AmeriCorps State and National Grants (NCSA Program)264,825256,805274,185^b
National Service Trust (NCSA)117,720122,539132,110
National Civilian Community Corps (NCSA)26,789^c23,7829,836
Innovation, Demonstration, and Assistance Activities (NCSA)29,771^d18,89320,460
— Points of Light Foundation(NCSA)(non-add)9,9000^e0^f
Evaluation (NCSA)3,9603,8914,500
State Commission Administrative Grants (NCSA)12,51611,79012,642
VISTA (DVSA)95,468^c93,80091,618
VISTA Revolving Fund^e (DVSA)3,500^g00
National Senior Volunteer Corps (DVSA)217,586213,785174,003
— Foster Grandparents Program (non-add)110,937108,99968,174
— Senior Companion Program (non-add)46,96446,14446,144
— Retired Senior Program (non-add)59,68558,64259,685
Inspector General4,963^c5,8286,512
Salaries and Expenses70,324^{c d}67,75971,715
Total 884,547 856,331^a 829,680
^Sources^:^F^uⁿ^dⁱⁿ^g^f^o^{r t}^h^{e F}^Y^{2007 an}^{d F}^Y^{2008 appropri}^a^tⁱ^oⁿ^s^an^{d t}^h^{e pres}ⁱ^d^en^tⁱ^a^l^bu^dg^et^requ^es^t^fo^r^F^Y^{2009 are}
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^{a. F}^Y^{2008 f}^uⁿ^dⁱⁿ^g^ref^l^ect^s^{a 1.747%}^redu^ctⁱ^oⁿ^{per S}^ectⁱ^oⁿ^{528(a) of}^P.L^.^110-^161.
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^A^ppropri^a^tⁱ^oⁿ^s^A^c^t^of^{2007, P.L}^.^110-^28.
^{e. In}^{FY2008, th}^{e P}^oⁱⁿ^ts^of^Lⁱ^g^h^t^Fouⁿ^d^ation^,^as^au^th^or^{ized u}ⁿ^d^{er T}^{itle III of}^th^{e Nation}^a^{l an}^{d C}^o^m^m^uⁿ^ity^Serv^ice
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^edition^(Decem^{ber 17, 2007), p. H16282.}
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^g^r^an^{t aw}^{arded com}^p^etitiv^elyⁱⁿ^FY2008.
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