The AmeriCorps Mission: To improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering.

Currently, 270,000 members and volunteers serve with AmeriCorps across the nation.

They focus on these key areas to make an impact:

AmeriCorps members and volunteers support students in nearly 12,000 public, private, and charter schools across the country. Through our work we improve attendance and engagement, increase high-school graduation rates and expand college enrollment.

AmeriCorps programs serve as a pathway to employment opportunities and help develop vital work skills. They build and rehabilitate affordable housing, provide financial literacy training, connect people to jobs and so much more.

When disaster strikes, members repair homes, assist survivors, and help restore communities when it matters most. AmeriCorps has deployed thousands of members and volunteers to areas affected by hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and tornadoes.

AmeriCorps serves on projects that cover thousands of acres of public lands across America – including many with the National Park Service. They help conserve natural habitats, protect clean air and water, and reduce utility bills by improving home energy efficiency.

AmeriCorps provides independent living services to 365,000 elderly Americans. They build the capacity of food banks, combat the opioid crisis, tackle homelessness, and address food insecurity. They provide health related education and resources to communities as well.

AmeriCorps provides assistance to nearly 500,000 veterans and military families by connecting them to education opportunities, jobs, and the benefits they have earned. Many veterans also volunteer with AmeriCorps so they can continue to serve their country.

What role does Nevada Volunteers play?

Nevada Volunteers is the Governor’s Commission on Service and is a 501(c)(3). We are among a national network of State Commissions that administers AmeriCorps programs in Nevada, making it possible for 1,600 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Senior members to work alongside citizens and volunteers to inspire and create change at the hyper-local level.

Since 1994, more than 6,600 Nevada residents have served approximately 9.2 million hours
and earned education awards totaling more than $22.8 million.

We grant $2.9 million dollars in federal funds to organizations in Nevada and then ensure that they are able to meet all grant requirements and goals of their program through training and technical assistance. Nevada Volunteers has members serving in 15 of Nevada’s 17 counties—one community and one neighborhood at a time. Here is what their programs will be focusing on this grant year:

Why serve with AmeriCorps?

Be a part of something bigger-

When you serve with AmeriCorps, you join a network of more than 1 million strong. AmeriCorps alumni continue to give back to the country through civic-minded activity. The community you build while serving with AmeriCorps is unlike any other.

Grow personally and professionally-

Learn and grow while giving back to a community. Individuals who serve with AmeriCorps build new skillsets that they can take with them wherever they go. Older Americans can apply their hard-earned knowledge to make an impact in a new environment.

Receive benefits for your service-

AmeriCorps provides several benefits for its volunteers and members. Education awards are available to AmeriCorps members, as well as supplemental health insurance, loan deferment, and childcare. Benefits vary by program and position.

Type of AmeriCorps Programs

AmeriCorps State

People ages 17+ who want to engage in direct service and mobilizing community volunteers. Activities include but are not limited to: mentoring students, promoting health initiatives, spreading public safety information or beautifying parks and trails.

AmeriCorps*VISTA

People ages 18+ who want to use their existing skills or develop new ones to increase an organization’s impact. Activities include: addressing poverty-related issues by developing programs and improving nonprofit business practices. VISTAs are self-motivated and are passionate about doing the behind-the-scenes work to empower communities.

AmeriCorps*NCCC

  • AmeriCorps NCCC has four options to choose from to engage in team-based, transformative service. Find the option that best fits your interest and experience by clicking the link above.
  • To serve as a Corps Member, you must be between 18-26* years old. To serve as a Team Leader, you must be 18 or older (no upper age limit). You may apply to Traditional Corps at 17, if you will turn 18 before arriving on campus. You must be 18 to apply to FEMA Corps.

AmeriCorps Seniors

Foster Grandparents

As a Foster Grandparent, you’re a role model, a mentor, and a friend. Serving at one of thousands of local organizations, you help children learn to read, provide one-on-one tutoring, and guide children at a critical time in their lives.

Senior Companion Program

By becoming a Senior Companion to a frail person, you help that person stay in their own home. You’ll make a difference in a variety of ways that strengthens and helps preserve an individual’s independence.

RSVP

With RSVP you choose how and where you want to serve, and whether you want to draw on your skills or develop new ones.

Be a changemaker.

Join over 7,000 AmeriCorps members in the VISTA program who serve annually to alleviate poverty by helping local organizations expand capacity to make change. You can serve in any U.S. state or territory.

As an AmeriCorps member in the VISTA program, you will support an organization to make sustainable change in areas that effect poverty, including education, public health, climate, access to benefits, and more. Through activities such as fundraising, grant writing, research, and volunteer recruitment, you will gain professional experience and leadership skills. This opportunity prepares you for a life of service in the public, private, or nonprofit sector.

VISTA Benefits

Living Allowance

  • You receive a modest bi-weekly living allowance to cover basic expenses.

Professional Development Training

  • You have the opportunity to attend in-person and virtual training to learn how to be a community development change agent.

Non-Competitive Eligibility

  • Once you’ve successfully completed service in AmeriCorps VISTA, you will receive one year of non-competitive eligibility for employment in the federal government.
  • This special hiring status enables you to apply for federal jobs with the advantage of not having to go through the standard public competitive selection process. That means that you can be appointed to federal positions that may not be available to the general public. In addition, your application could be processed faster than others.
  • NCE does not guarantee you a federal job, but it does provide a valuable opportunity!

End of Service Award

  • Members can choose between a Segal Education Award (valued at approximately $7,395) to pay for a range of education expenses or a $1,800 cash stipend.

VISTA Eligibility Requirements

  • Be 18 years or older (no upper age limit)
  • Hold one of the following citizenship or legal residency statuses: US citizen, US National, Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e. Green Card status), and persons legally residing within a state. Examples of persons legally residing within a state may include those holding the following classifications: refugee, asylee, temporary protected status throughout VISTA service, and holding Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status.

VISTA Pathways & Nevada Volunteers

Nevada Volunteers is implementing an AmeriCorps VISTA outreach and resource sharing strategy to build capacity across the state of Nevada. The Nevada Volunteers VISTA project, called VISTA Pathways, aims to break the cycle of poverty by building capacity in Nevada counties where there is documented community need, access barriers, and limited utilization of federal funding with a focus on Native American Tribes, nonprofit/community organizations, and rural counties.

Serving as community navigators, three VISTA members will contribute to the goals of the project by performing activities such as establishing positive relationships, building trust, implementing needs assessments, developing and disseminating tools and resources, and connecting communities and organizations to beneficial partnerships and AmeriCorps streams of service.

ReInvent Schools Las Vegas 

Focus Area: Education
Currently Recruiting: Yes!
Location: Southern Nevada
Program Contact: Candace Boring or Amy Henderson

Learn more

ReInvent Schools Las Vegas AmeriCorps Program focuses on academic achievement, expanded learning, wraparound services, and family and community engagement in the communities surrounding underperforming urban core schools.

This year the program will place 66 AmeriCorps members in 4 areas of the Youth Development and Social Innovation Department of the City of Las Vegas office. Members will provide services to students both during the school day and in after-school programming, and to participants in the school neighborhoods for students and families not only seeking education but also resources and opportunities as well. Members will be education mentors, chronic absenteeism mentors, teen leadership mentors, community navigators, and more. 

Contact Program Director Candace Boring (bcatlin@lasvegasnevada.gov)  or Amy Henderson (ahenderson@lasvegasnevada.gov) to learn more about the ReInvent Schools Las Vegas program or to apply year round!

How to Apply

  • Search “ReInvent Schools” on my.americorps.gov, register, create an application and submit that complete application!
  • Having issues? Check out this guide here!

United Way of Northern Nevada thanks IBEW 1245

United Readers AmeriCorps Program

Focus Area: Education
Currently Recruiting: Yes!
Location: Northern Nevada
Program Contact: Krystal Hoefling-Nevada

Learn more

United Readers AmeriCorps program is design to support the literacy acquisition and Kindergarten readiness skills into order to improve third grade reading scores. Members serving in the Early Childhood Mentor positions will serve children 0-5 and their families providing literacy and kindergarten readiness skills using pre-determined lesson plans in groups of eight families at a time throughout the year. Early childhood mentors will also provide recorded services and one-on-one sessions with families who live in rural areas or who are unable to attend family session. In-School Mentors will provide literacy acquisition and reading fluency services using predetermined lesson plans during school hours with K-3 students who are identified by classroom teachers and literacy specialists as in need of extra reading supports. After School Mentors will provide extra and extended day literacy and reading fluency support services using predetermined lesson plans to K-3 students enrolled in afterschool programs.

Contact Program Director Krystal Hoefling-Nevada (krystal.hoefling@uwnns.org) to learn more about the Nevada Recovery Corps program or to apply year round!

How to Apply

  • Search “United Readers” on my.americorps.gov, register, create an application and submit that complete application!
  • Having issues? Check out this guide here!

LIFT- Literacy in Financial Thinking

Focus Area: Economic Opportunity
Currently Recruiting: Yes!
Location: Statewide
Program Contact: Jeff Sater

Learn more

The HCC AmeriCorps-LIFT program places members in Nevada’s rural communities to enhance financial literacy. They teach Money Smart curriculum, assist underserved groups with financial education, and participate in outreach events. Members also handle data input and attend relevant training and meetings. This program aims to improve local financial literacy and is part of the AmeriCorps Program.

Contact Program Director Jeff Sater (jeff@hcclsc.org) to learn more about the LIFT program or to apply year round!

How to Apply

  • Search “LIFT or Literacy in Financial Thinking” on my.americorps.gov, register, create an application and submit that complete application!
  • Having issues? Check out this guide here!

Great-Basin-Institute

Nevada Conservation Corps 

Focus Area: Environmental Stewardship
Currently Recruiting: Yes!
Location: Statewide
Program Contact: Libby Wilson

Learn more

Great Basin Institute’s Nevada Conservation Corps harnesses the energy and idealism of youth to meet the needs of Nevada public lands and communities. This year NCC will place 183 AmeriCorps members throughout the state of Nevada. As a product of their service, 3000 acres of Nevada land will be improved through forest fuels reduction, prescribed burns, invasive plant removal, and native planting projects. This will be directly supporting burned area restoration efforts on public lands and mitigating the threat of future wildland fires. Service members will also leverage 550 volunteers who will be engaged in forest stewardship activities.

Contact Program Director Libby Wilson (lwilson@thegreatbasininstitute.org) to learn more about the Nevada Conservation Corps program or to apply year round!

Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation Wetland Restoration

Focus Area: Environmental Stewardship
Currently Recruiting: Yes!
Location: Northern Nevada
Program Contact: Elena Larsen

Learn more

AmeriCorps Wetland Restoration Technicians with Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation are serving their community through habitat restoration, increasing availability of open space for community members, and providing educational opportunities to the public. This is being accomplished through the removal of invasive plant species, the establishment of native vegetation, trail and bridge rehabilitation, educational and interpretive sign development, and community events. The restoration area, which is currently closed to the public, will be opened and allow for increased, free recreational opportunities for the Reno/Sparks area and its visitors.

Contact Program Director Elena Larsen (elena@tmparksfoundation.org) to learn more about the Wetland Restoration program or to apply year round!

Walker Basin Conservancy AmeriCorps Program

Focus Area: Environmental Stewardship
Currently Recruiting: Yes!
Location: Northern Nevada
Program Contact: Miguel Gonzales

Learn more

The Walker Basin Conservancy (WBC) proposes to have 64 AmeriCorps members who will complete a variety of conservation, recreation, and environmental education activities in the Walker River Basin of Nevada. At the end of the first program year, the AmeriCorps members will be responsible for enhancing 500 acres of public lands, improving 8 miles of trail, fence, and river corridor, and increasing knowledge and awareness of environmental issues within the basin. In addition, the AmeriCorps members will leverage 30 local community volunteers who will be engaged in conservation efforts within the basin.

Contact Program Director Miguel Gonzales (miguel.gonzales@walkerbasin.org) to learn more about the Walker Basin Conservancy program or to apply year round!

Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation Student Stewards

Focus Area: Education
Currently Recruiting: Yes!
Location: Northern & Southern Nevada
Program Contact: Devin Genovese

Learn more

The Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation Student Stewards AmeriCorps Program is a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), standards-based curriculum that uses citizen science to engage kids with their local parks. This program introduces students to the importance of STEM fields and to the ever-growing opportunities in STEM jobs.

This year TMPF will place 43 AmeriCorps member who will teach citizen science-based education programs using public lands as learning laboratories in Washoe, Carson, Clark and Elko counties who will act as educators to students in the most underserved and underscoring schools that will lead to an outcome of increased interest in school and educational aspirations while increasing the academic engagement of more than 1,500 opportunity youth. AmeriCorps members will also leverage 100 volunteers who will be engaged in citizen science projects, community outreach, stewardship of public lands, and support of the Student Stewards Program.

Contact Program Director Devin Genovese (devin@tmparksfoundation.org) to learn more about the Student Stewards program or to apply year round!

City of Henderson AmeriCorps Program

Focus Area: Education
Currently Recruiting: Yes!
Location: Southern Nevada
Program Contact: Sofia Danaher 

Learn more

Aligned with the City of Henderson’s mission to provide services and resources that enhance the quality of life for those who live, learn, work, and play in the City, the City of Henderson AmeriCorps Program strives to improve students’ social connection, academic engagement and self-efficacy. Members will be Academic Enrichment Specialists who will serve alongside the City’s Education Initiatives Team and Parks & Recreation Safekey staff to provide academic support for students, including homework help, mentoring, social-emotional skill building, and high-yield learning activities. STEM and Literacy will be primary areas of focus for high-yield learning activities in additional to social-emotional skill building.

Contact Program Director Sofia Danaher (email: sofia.danaher@cityofhenderson.com or 702-267-2044) to learn more about the City of Henderson program or to apply year round!

Nevada Outdoor School AmeriCorps Program

Focus Area: Environmental Stewardship & Healthy Futures
Currently Recruiting: Yes!
Location: Northern Nevada
Program Contact: Zulma Mayorga

Learn more

The Nevada Outdoor School AmeriCorps Program is a community development program that provides professional and life-skills training for community members, and collaborations for best practices to increase the overall outreach of rural nonprofits. Nevada Outdoor School’s AmeriCorps State program will place 27 full-time, part-time, and summer AmeriCorps members members at organizations throughout northern Nevada to serve as mentors, naturalists, and outreach assistants serving low income families, students and senior citizens. Members engage the community in understanding natural sciences and interconnectedness of nature systems, increase awareness of their public lands through instruction of why they need to be improved or conserved among many other activities, and increase the number of disadvantaged senior citizens receiving information on or referrals for health care. Members will also leverage more than 400 volunteers to help them reach these goals this year.

Contact Program Director Zulma Mayorga (zulma.mayorga@nevadaoutdoorschool.org) to learn more about the Nevada Outdoor School Program or to apply year round!

Image preview

Opportunity Village AmeriCorps Program

Focus Area: Economic Opportunity
Currently Recruiting: Yes!
Location: Southern Nevada
Program Contact: Brenda Hernandez

Learn more

AmeriCorps members will serve as Education Specialists at Opportunity Village who will teach job preparedness and related life skills to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Las Vegas, NV. Members will also be responsible for leveraging 20 additional volunteers who will support a National Day of Service project.

Contact Program Director Brenda Hernandez (hernandezb@opportunityvillage.org) to learn more about the Opportunity Village program or to apply year round!

Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) 4-H Camping and Outdoor Education

Focus Area: Education
Currently Recruiting: Yes!
Location: Statewide
Program Contact: Alyssa Lane 

Learn more

The NSHE 4-H Camping and Outdoor Education project has AmeriCorps members working to improve academic engagement and social-emotional skills in youth throughout the state of Nevada. The program is actively recruiting AmeriCorps members from the community to serve as 4-H Camp Counselors/Environmental Educators, 4-H School Program Environmental Educators, and 4-H Environmental Educators.

The 4-H Environmental Educators will deliver educational activities to the youth through experiential, hands-on learning, Positive Youth Development (PYD) principles and support the program they are assigned to. Members will support summer camp activities and implement a new environmental literacy curriculum that is currently not offered in the Nevada 4-H camping program. Our AmeriCorps members are on the front lines serving youth as positive role models and mentors.

How to Apply

Contact Program Director Alyssa Lane (alyssalane@unr.edu ) to learn more about the City of Henderson program or to apply year round

Quick Links

AmeriCorps alumni have a unique opportunity to share their experience, knowledge, and resources. Here are a few options available to you after AmeriCorps.

Job Opportunities

Stay Connected with Fellow Alums

AmeriCorps alumni are bound together by a common commitment to service and a desire to participate as active members in their communities. Interested in starting an AmeriCorps Alumni chapter in your area? Contact Charli Bruce at charli@nevadavolunteers.org.

Join AmeriCorps Again

We want you back! Your experience and commitment to service add value to AmeriCorps programs throughout the United States. And you can serve as a role model or leader for new members: your experience could make you eligible to serve with AmeriCorps NCCC as a team leader or to coordinate several AmeriCorps VISTA members.

Advance Your Education / The Segal AmeriCorps Education Award

Congress established the National Service Trust to provide a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award for members who successfully complete service in AmeriCorps. You can use your Segal AmeriCorps Education Award to pay education costs at qualified institutions of higher education, for educational training, or to repay qualified student loans. You can take up to seven years after your term of service has ended to claim the award.

Champion AmeriCorps

AmeriCorps Alums are encouraged to share their story and voice for a prosperous future for AmeriCorps.

Share your service story.

Thank you for your interest in learning more about starting a program!

Who can apply to host an AmeriCorps Program?

Nonprofits

Local Government, States, and Tribes

Institutes of Higher Education

How do I know if AmeriCorps is a good fit for my Organization?

  • Could your organization use at least 10 individuals to engage in a direct service activity or deliverable you want to provide in your community?
  • Does your organization already have experience managing federal grants or are you interested in support from Nevada Volunteers to start?
  • Is your organization able to provide 24% match funds to your grant? (For example if you receive a grant of $75,000 from Nevada Volunteers you will need to match it with $18,000 for a total project budget of $93,000)

What are the next steps?

Current and Most Recent Funding Opportunities

updated 1.11.24

Training/Technical Assistance

Webinar Resources

Previous Funding Opportunities

National Directs

National Direct Applicants and Multi-state AmeriCorps National Direct applicants who intend to place members in Nevada are reminded that they must consult with Nevada Volunteers regarding these intended placements before submitting their application. Nevada Volunteers has opted into the ASC National Direct Consultation process and therefore, consultation forms for national direct applicants should be submitted to:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NF2CZDL

National Direct applicants are encouraged to contact Nevada Volunteers outside of this link with initial information about potential member placements in Nevada by emailing Nevada Volunteers at grants@nevadavolunteers.org and include in the subject line “National Direct Consultation” or by calling 775.825.1900. This will allow the National Direct applicant to meet its obligation to provide information that connects the proposed activities to the current State Service Plan for Nevada.

Not ready to start a program, but want to be included in our state efforts?

Nevada Volunteers is currently seeking a diverse group of people to serve as Peer Reviewers to assess and score the quality of Nevada AmeriCorps State applications.

Apply to be a peer reviewer for our grant application period!

What is Peer Review?

Peer Reviewers assist Nevada Volunteers in reviewing and scoring submitted AmeriCorps State applications for Nevada.

Peer Reviewer comments and ratings are then considered in decisions that determine how AmeriCorps resources will be distributed to support organizations and partnerships in addressing critical needs throughout Nevada.

Why participate?

Participation in Peer Review is an excellent opportunity for professional development and service.

Peer Reviewers will engage in the grantmaking process of a major funder of community service, while networking with others across a variety of professions.

Am I qualified?

Peer Review is open to a wide range of people with varying experience and backgrounds. The following are things that will be beneficial if you choose to apply to be a Peer Reviewer:

  • Experience with AmeriCorps and/or the nonprofit sector
  • Experience with grant writing or grant review (or an interest in gaining experience)
  • Knowledge and/or experience in a field related to the application priority areas (health, human services, disaster/emergency services, environment, education, veterans affairs, economic opportunity)
  • Ability to independently review 5-6 applications over a two-week period (approx. 2 hrs. per application)
  • Live or work in the state of Nevada

Quick Links

Regulations Governing AmeriCorps Statement

Regulations Governing AmeriCorps

Nevada Volunteers believes in the power of service as a solution to many of Nevada’s unmet needs. Becoming part of the National Service Network can bring opportunities for your organization and the community you serve, however, it also brings significant responsibilities for your organization. This Grantee Resources page provides quick links to important forms and a comprehensive Program Director Handbook. The handbooks provides a broad overview of AmeriCorps while highlighting basic components and rules to support you in having an understanding of the complexities of running an AmeriCorps program. It is meant to serve as a guide for those who administer an AmeriCorps program in Nevada. However, the information contained in this manual does not include all the legal requirements you are responsible for once you have accepted an AmeriCorps grant. Program directors or individuals with particular questions should consult the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. § 12501 et seq.), the regulations issued under the Act (45 C.F.R. § 2500.1 et. seq.), the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, the AmeriCorps Grant Provisions and Grants Policy guidance, and relevant state law and regulations. If there is a conflict between the content of this resource manual and the AmeriCorps provisions, the provisions are the controlling authority.

Additional Resources