All You Need To Know About AmeriCorps

What is AmeriCorps? | Americorps Dos and Don'ts | Americorps Training and Enrichment Guide | AmeriCorps Service Video

If you haven't heard of AmeriCorps, you may have no idea what it is. If you have the option to participate (and most of you do, just talk to your Coordinator), it may be a great way to join a national network and supplement your funding for school.  Many Bonner Leader Programs are funded through AmeriCorps, so you may automatically join.  This page is designed to give you an easy understanding of what AmeriCorps is, what it does and how it pertains to your role as a Bonner. Know that if you do get involved, you will join the ranks of thousands of other Americans who are involved in community service.

What is AmeriCorps?

And how is it connected to Bonner?

• AmeriCorps is a federally funded program of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), based in Washington D.C. Each year, AmeriCorps offers 70,000 opportunities for adults of all ages and backgrounds to serve through a network of partnerships with local and national nonprofit groups.  AmeriCorps provides members with a chance to make a difference by applying their skills and ideals towards helping others and meeting critical needs in the community.  The Bonner Foundation is one of these national partners, and we receive AmeriCorps funding directly from CNCS.  We share that funding with campuses in our network to provide students with living allowances and stipends for their participation in community service.

• Many Bonner Leader and Bonner Scholar campuses incorporate AmeriCorps into their funding for Bonners. It's likely that if you are a Bonner Leader, you are receiving an educational award through this program. AmeriCorps has different avenues through which it works, including AmeriCorps State and National, Americorps NCCC, and full-time programs like City Year, Teach for America, and others.

• Interested in Bonner AmeriCorps? Talk to your campus coordinator and/or visit the AmeriCorps general information page for more details. 

• Want to know more about AmeriCorps in general? Visit the official AmeriCorps Website

Do's and Don't's of AmeriCorps

Because AmeriCorps is a government funded program, there are some constraints on what counts as service and what you can do when fufilling your hours requirement.  Basically, these have to do with the same kind of restrictions faced by all agencies that are using tax payers' dollars.  For example, you can't be working to elect one particular candidate or promoting one particular religious group while you are being paid by AmeriCorps.  But as a citizen of the U.S. or another country, you can still do all of these kinds of activities in your free time.