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Serve Michigan Update
A public policy program of Michigan Nonprofit Association

February 5, 2008

National Service Headlines

President's FY09 Budget Request for National Service includes funding decreases

On February 4, 2008, President Bush sent to Congress his Fiscal Year 2009 budget request which recommends $829.7 million for the Corporation for National and Community Service and its three core programs - AmeriCorps, Senior Corps and Learn & Serve America. This request is $26.6 million less than the agency received in FY08, continuing a five year decline in national service funding.

The President's budget proposes cuts to several service initiatives, the most significant being a 40% cut to the Foster Grandparent Program - a program that connects 19,000 volunteers age 60 and over with children and young people with exceptional needs. For more details about the budget please read below or click here to visit the Corporation for National and Community Service website. 

  • AmeriCorps State and National Grants: $274 million, includes a $17.4 million increase over the FY 2008 enacted level. The additional funds will support the agency's congressionally mandated transition from two-year to one-year funding while maintaining the current level of service to communities across the nation.
  • National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC): $9.8 million, combined with $6.3 million in available FY08 funding. The request for NCCC in FY09 is a $14 million reduction in appropriated funds.
  • VISTA: $91.6 million, a $2.2 million reduction from FY08.
  • Senior Corps: $174 million. While sustaining the federal invesment in the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and the Senior Companion Program, the President's budget cuts the Foster Grandparent program by more than $40 million.
  • Learn and Serve America: $32.1 million, a $5.3 million reduction from the FY08 enacted level.

The President’s budget submission is just the first step in a lengthy appropriations process. Stay tuned for more information and action alerts from Serve Michigan regarding the FY09 National Service Budget.

This latest development does underscore how important it is for us to educate our nation's leaders about the indispensable value of national service as they head into a very difficult appropriations process. The pressure to produce more with less funding will be felt by nearly every federal program and agency in the coming year. We urge you to invite your elected officials to visit your program this year. For tips on how to schedule a visit, please click here.

Save the Date! April 16, 2008: 
Michigan Giving & Volunteering Celebration 2008, presented by Comcast
Comcast Logo
State Capitol Building, Room 402-403
Lansing, Michigan

Michigan has a rich history of giving and volunteering, with a high rate of its residents giving to and volunteering with community nonprofits every year. This annual event celebrates the Michigan spirit of giving and volunteering, honoring outstanding citizens and state leaders who take an active giving and volunteering role in their communities, and highlighting the latest giving and volunteering stats for the state.

Michigan Giving & Volunteering Celebration 2008, presented by Comcast  will take place on Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at the State Capitol Building in Lansing, Michigan. Save the date on your calendar and plan to join your fellow volunteers and philanthropists at the State Capitol Building on April 16! More information and registration details to come.

This event is co-hosted by the Council of Michigan Foundations, Michigan Campus Compact, Michigan Community Service Commission, Michigan Nonprofit Association, and the Volunteer Centers of MIchigan.

Advocacy and Public Policy Trainings in Grand Rapids
Click here for full training series advertisement

Michigan Nonprofit Association is currently running a series of advocacy and public policy trainings in Grand Rapids. This six-part series, entitled "Public Policy Strategies & Tactics," includes trainings on advanced advocacy, developing and delivering effective messages, building and sustaining stakeholder engagement, and much more! Each session is $25 and the registration deadline is one week prior to the session date. The next training in the series is "Public Policy 201: Advanced Advocacy," taking place on February 18 from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. For more detailed session descriptions and to register, visit http://www.mnaonline.org/PPupdates/ppupdate197.asp.

Join AmeriCorps Alums Today!

Attention all AmeriCorps alums, friends and champions: AmeriCorps Alums, a national network of civic leaders who are actively engaged in shaping their communities, is looking for you!

Bound together by a commitment to service, AmeriCorps Alums are a transformative power to create a better world for all. The mission of AmeriCorps Alums as an organization is to connect, support and mobilize AmeriCorps alums in order to strengthen our communities and our nation. The network also provides important updates and information to the friends and champions of AmeriCorps. 

AmeriCorps Alums is currently offering access to free online state and federal tax returns to any AmeriCorps alumni. You can also add the AmeriCorps Alums cause to your Facebook profile! Visit http://www.americorpsalums.org/ to learn more about member benefits and to join!  

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