What is National Service?

The Power to Make a Difference: Getting Things Done and People Power

National service helps your organization implement those projects or ideas that require special funding or assistance. Through programs and grants, the Corporation for National and Community Service provides human capital—people power—to help you address emerging needs in your community.

Each year, national and community service participants and grantees recruit hundreds of thousands of volunteers, who donate millions of hours of service to their communities.

Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America all have a track record of mobilizing community resources, helping to develop an ethic of service and leadership skills, and expanding and sustaining organizational capacity.

READY TO SERVE. Check out our Join AmeriCorps page.

AmeriCorps*State and National
AmeriCorps State/National programs offer part and full time opportunities at nonprofits and colleges and universities. State/National programs focus on direct service to the community with limited fundraising duties.

Want to apply for an AmeriCorps*State Grant: Learn more on the Funding page. 

AmeriCorps*VISTA
AmeriCorps*VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) is a professional and rigorous national volunteer service program which provides full-time volunteer members to agencies, institutions and organizations to create and expand initiatives that ultimately bring low-income individuals and communities out of poverty. Members serve full-time for a year with nonprofit groups, public agencies, and faith-based organizations throughout the country. VISTA projects focus solely on building permanent capacity and infrastructure through the work of VISTA members. Founded in 1967 and incorporated into the AmeriCorps network of programs in 1993, VISTA members have been providing extraordinary service for over 43 years. 

To learn more about VISTA Indiana please contact a representative at in@cns.gov or call 317-226-6724.

AmeriCorps*NCCC
AmeriCorps*NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) is a 10-month, team-based, full-time residential program for men and women between the ages of 18 and 24. It combines the best practices of civilian service with the best aspects of military service, including leadership training and team building. Members serve in diverse teams of 10 to 14 individuals. Priority is given to homeland security and disaster relief projects. Teams are based at four campuses across the country and are assigned to projects in their respective regions. Approximately 1,200 members serve in AmeriCorps*NCCC each year.

Host an AmeriCorps*NCCC Team: The AmeriCorps*NCCC North Central Region Campus based in Vinton, Iowa accepts applications from nonprofit and public agencies to host an AmeriCorps*NCCC team (typically 10-12 members) for 6-8 weeks to assist with high-impact, but short-term projects. Although transportation and basic tools will be provided by the NCCC, project sponsors are required to provide materials, specialized tools, orientation, training and technical supervision. Further, the project sponsor must assist with arranging housing, food, and other logistics for the team during their deployment.
RFP and application materials are available for download below. 

For further information, please contact JJ Trotta at (319) 472-9654.                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Application                                                                                       
Request For Proposals                      

Americans over 55 have a lifetime of experience to share, and the desire to make a real difference in their world. They’ve managed households, been business owners and nurses, farmers and salespeople, artists and executives. Now they are ready to put their unique talents and expertise to work in their communities, and enrich their own lives in the process.

Senior Corps connects today’s over 55s with the people and organizations that need them most. We help them become mentors, coaches or companions to people in need, or contribute their job skills and expertise to community projects and organizations. Conceived during John F. Kennedy's presidency, Senior Corps currently links more than 500,000 Americans to service opportunities. Their contributions of skills, knowledge, and experience make a real difference to individuals, nonprofits, and faith-based and other community organizations throughout the United States.

• The Foster Grandparent Program connects volunteers age 55 and over with children and young people with exceptional needs. Volunteers mentor, support, and help some of the most vulnerable children in the United States.
      
• The Senior Companion Program brings together volunteers age 55 and over with adults in their community who have difficulty with the simple tasks of day-to-day living. Companions help out on a personal level by assisting with shopping and light chores, interacting with doctors, or just making a friendly visit.
      
• RSVP connects volunteers age 55 and over with service opportunities in their communities that match their skills and availability. From building houses to immunizing children, from enhancing the capacity of non-profit organizations to improving and protecting the environment, RSVP volunteers put their unique talents to work to make a difference.

National Service programs are available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, political affiliation, or, in most instances, religion.