The Federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which oversees the distribution of AmeriCorps funding, is withholding fiscal year 2025 funding despite congressional approval. This could have a significant impact on nonprofits that utilize members to increase their capacity to serve the community.
Across the nation, AmeriCorps Senior, Foster, and Grandparent Program (FGP) and Senior Companion Program (SCP) grantees who had been informed that their continuation grants had been awarded are now being told that the OMB is holding 2025 funding, pending the release of fiscal year 2025 appropriated dollars.
Ultimately, this is part of a larger initiative to close AmeriCorps on a national level, said Sarah Riley, Executive Director of High Rocks Educational Corporation. “There is only enough money in the President’s proposed budget for 2026 to shut down AmeriCorps permanently,” she explained. “Congress will keep working on this budget, so it is critical to work with our congressional representatives so that they understand the importance of these programs and can work with us to provide funding for AmeriCorps programs in West Virginia for the long term. Please keep reaching out to them.”
Well-known programs across the state utilize AmeriCorps members, including Energy Express, a six-week summer reading and nutrition program for children in grades 1 through 6, and the Boys and Girls Club of America, which works with young people nationwide. These programs fill significant needs within communities, such as providing educational support during the summer break and offering safe spaces for young people to learn and grow.
“Many of these organizations are staffed by AmeriCorps members. They will struggle and possibly close without AmeriCorps funding for the future,” Riley stated. AmeriCorps is not the only initiative under attack. The Appalachian Regional Commission, which invests in the economic and community development of the entire Appalachian region, is also being defunded.
“AmeriCorps is one of West Virginia’s best workforce development programs and helps recruit, develop, and retain young talent in the mountain state while powering up organizations that are creating critical solutions for strategic community investment in youth, recovery, housing, health, local foods, and community connections,” Riley said.
Despite significant bipartisan support, West Virginia lost over 200 AmeriCorps positions, when funding for nine programs, including the AmeriCorps program at High Rocks, was abruptly terminated without cause on April 29th. This loss has a profound and direct impact on our community, affecting the services and opportunities that these positions provided. High Rocks and other programs have submitted competitive applications to AmeriCorps, for the upcoming 2025-2026 program year, hoping to continue their vital work.
Concern is rising that, due to budget cuts to AmeriCorps at the national level, states like West Virginia, which need the programs most, will miss out on future grant awards. This potential loss is a double blow in West Virginia as we have the WV AmeriCorps Tuition Waiver. This bill was signed into law in 2022 by then-Governor Justice after receiving unanimous support in both the House and Senate. This bill provides a year of tuition-free education in exchange for a year of service, up to a total of four years, with tuition waivers from the state.
“WV AmeriCorps members were on track to earn more than 2.7 million dollars in-state tuition waivers alone this year before cuts. More than half our members were doing AmeriCorps service this year specifically to earn the WV Tuition Waiver to advance their careers,” Riley said.
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Currently, three national court cases are challenging the cuts to AmeriCorps. The first two cases have secured injunctions against AmeriCorps cuts and terminations for all states that joined the lawsuit, restoring the operational status of cut NCCC and 24 states’ worth of AmeriCorps programs. This provides a legal precedent for the third case.
To advocate for AmeriCorps, make sure to reach out to West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey at 304-558-2000, Senator Jim Justice, at 304-342-5855 or Senator Shelley Moore Capito at 304-347-5372 and ask them to continue to push for OMB to release funds that have already been granted. AmeriCorps programs across the state also want AmeriCorps to consider reviewing competitive applications, specifically re-compete applications from already established programs.
You can also contact Representatives Carol Miller at 202-225-3452 or Riley Moore at 202-225-3452.
