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The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act Summary 

Public Law 111-13, enacted April 21, 2009 

On March 18, 2009, the House of Representatives passed the Generations Invigorating 

Volunteerism and Education Act (H.R. 1388) (GIVE) by a vote of 321-105. On March 26, 2009, 

the Senate passed an amended version of H.R. 1388 by a vote of 79-19, renaming the bill “The 

Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act.” On March 31, 2009, the House of Representatives 

passed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act by a vote of 275-149. On April 21, 2009, 

President Obama signed the bill into law. 

The bill reauthorizes the Corporation for National and Community Service and its programs 

through 2014. The bill includes significant provisions advancing the Administration’s goals for 

national service, including: 

 A dramatic expansion of service opportunities for Americans of all ages, setting a path for 

increasing the number of AmeriCorps members to 250,000 by 2017. 

 A Social Innovation Fund pilot program to provide seed money and scale up innovative and 

evidence-based programs that leverage private and foundation capital to meet major social 

challenges. 

 Expanding eligibility for the Senior Companion and Foster Grandparent programs. 

 Simplifying AmeriCorps program management, including through the availability of fixed 

amount grants. 

 Increasing the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. 

 Strengthening agency management to support expansion. 

H.R. 1388 adds language in the overall purpose statement to recognize social entrepreneurs, 

increase public and private investment in nonprofits, leverage Federal investments, expand 

service learning, coordinate citizen service in emergencies or disasters, increase service 

opportunities for retiring professionals, encourage continued service of national service alums, 

support colleges that engage students in community service, encourage service by individuals age 

55 and older, expand the participation of veterans in national service, and focus national service 

on education, energy conservation, and improving the health status of and economic opportunity 

for economically disadvantaged individuals. 

H.R. 1388 directs the Corporation to develop a plan to increase AmeriCorps positions – including 

NCCC, VISTA, and AmeriCorps State and National positions – to 250,000 by fiscal year 2017, 

beginning with 88,000 positions in 2010, 115,000 in 2011, 140,000 in 2012, 170,000 in 2013, 

200,000 in 2014, 210,000 in 2015, 235,000 in 2016, and 250,000 in 2017, while working towards 

achieving a goal of having at least 50% of the positions be full-time. Implementation of this plan 

is tied to the availability of appropriations, and takes into account the need to ensure quality of 

service opportunities. 
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Learn & Serve America (amending Subtitle B) 

School-based 

 H.R. 1388 adds a Purpose Statement for school-based funding, tying service-learning to 

demonstrating impact on community needs while enhancing students’ academic and civic 

learning, and building infrastructure including the training and professional development of 

teachers, to expand service opportunities. 

 School-based funding is reduced from 63.75% to 60%, and includes only Formula grants to State 

Education Agencies or to statewide entities designated by State Education Agencies. If the total 

Learn & Serve appropriation is at least $50 million, the minimum allotment to each State is 

$75,000. The bill repeals a requirement that school-based funds be distributed only on a 

competitive basis if the school-based allotment is less than $20 million. 

 Sets minimum funding reserved for Indian Tribes and U.S. Territories at 2%, with maximum at 

3%. 

 A current law restriction on the percentage of funds that may be used for training, curriculum 

development, and other capacity-building is removed. The Corporation share of school-based 

grants may not exceed 80% of the total cost for the first year of a grant, 65% for the second year, 

and 50% for each remaining year, with continuation grants capped at a 50% Federal share. 

Grantees may not use Title I of Elementary and Secondary Education Act or Individuals with 

Disabilities Education Act funds as match. 

 The Corporation will give consideration in selecting school-based grantees for innovation, 

sustainability, capacity building, involvement of disadvantaged youth, and program quality, as 

well as criteria approved by the Corporation. 

Higher Education 

 Higher Education remains at 25%, with institutions of higher education (individually or as a 

consortium or in partnership with public or private nonprofit organizations) eligible for funding. 

To be eligible for assistance, an institution of higher education must meet minimum Federal 

Work Study requirements relating to community service. 

 H.R. 1388 adds language to promote service-learning in elementary and secondary schools, to 

extend service to underserved urban and rural communities, to tie service projects to housing, 

economic development, infrastructure, health care, job training, education, crime prevention, 

urban planning, transportation technology, and child welfare. 

 The Corporation will give special consideration to higher education applications submitted by 

predominantly Black institutions, HBCUs, institutions serving minority populations (including 

Hispanic, Native American, Alaskan Native, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Native 

Pacific Islander populations), Tribal colleges, and community colleges serving predominantly 

minority populations. 

 Adds authority to designate up to 25 institutions of higher education with exemplary records of 

student civic engagement and service-learning as “Campuses of Service.” A designated Campus 
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of Service will be eligible for grant funds to encourage students to engage in service during 

school and in their future careers. 

New Part III – Innovative Service-Learning Programs and Research 

 Community-based funding is included the new Part III, at 15%, along with new funding 

authority, including grants and fixed amount grants, to integrate service-learning into science, 

technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) curricula, energy conservation, emergency 

and disaster preparedness, reducing the digital divide, high school student mentors of middle 

school youth, and research and evaluation. Eligible entities include State education agencies, 

State Commissions, Territories, Indian tribes, institutions of higher education, a public or private 

nonprofit organization, grant-making entities, public or private elementary or secondary schools, 

local education agencies, or a consortium of such entities (including a consortium that includes a 

for-profit organization). Priority will be given to programs that involve students, community 

stakeholders, and adult volunteers in program design and low-income rural or urban communities. 

 Part III includes new authority for a summer of service program providing a $500 summer of 

service education award (up to $750 for disadvantaged youth) for rising 6-12 graders who 

complete 100 hours in an approved position. 

 Part III includes new authority for a “semester of service” program under which high school 

students engage in service-learning for at least 70 hours in a semester to engage economicallydisadvantaged students. 

 Authorizes within Part III a new “Youth Engagement Zones” grant program, under which the 

Corporation may make grants to eligible partnerships to carry out school-based or communitybased service-learning programs with secondary school students and out-of-school youth to 

address specific community challenges 

 Authorizes a 10-year longitudinal study on the benefits/ impact of service-learning programs. 

AmeriCorps State/National 

 Merges State Competitive and National Direct funding at a combined 62.7%. National Direct 

applicants must consult and coordinate with Commissions in States in which they propose to 

operate. State Formula allocation is 35.3% (up from 33.3%). Indian Tribes and U.S. Territories 

remain at 1% each. Codifies small state minimum in Formula at $600,000, or 0.5% of the 

amount allocated for the State formula portfolio, whichever is greater. Permits States to apply for 

AmeriCorps formula funds before selecting sub-grantees. 

 AmeriCorps State & National programs may be funded through one of five Service Corps - 

Education Corps, Healthy Futures Corps, Clean Energy Corps, Veterans Corps, and Opportunity 

Corps – or as a National Service Program. Any AmeriCorps State & National program may use a 

variety of program models, including professional corps. Grant applicants must propose 

programs that will work to improve upon statutory or Corporation-approved performance 

indicators. Applications must include measurable goals on one or more performance indicators. 

Requires the Corporation to submit an annual report on AmeriCorps funding decisions and 

improvement on performance indicators. The Corporation is directed to establish priorities, on an 

annual basis, for funding competitive grants to programs in at least two of the five new Service 

Corps. 
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 Expands list of illustrative AmeriCorps programs to include programs focusing on access to 

technology, disaster services, mentoring (including provision of supportive services to direct 

mentoring service organizations as part of a partnership), disadvantaged youth, higher education 

service-learning, re-engaging court-involved youth and adults, financial literacy education, 

building affordable housing, access to health care, access to State and Federal programs, e-Corps, 

job-training, job-placement, reducing crime, a musician and artist corps program, and foster care 

and mentoring. 

 Authorizes fixed amount grants for national service programs if the amount is significantly less 

than the reasonable and necessary costs of administering the program. The grant will be made on 

the basis of a pre-determined amount and extent of service completed, rather than as 

reimbursement for actual costs incurred. The first year may only be phased in for full-time 

positions (excluding Education Award Programs, which already use fixed amount grants). 

 Grantees (other than those receiving fixed-amount grants) must report on any non-Corporation 

Federal funds used to pay member living allowances. The Corporation uses this information for a 

report to Congress. 

 Prohibits AmeriCorps grants to Federal agencies, but permits the Corporation to enter into 

agreements with other Federal agencies to support national service programs with the Corporation 

authorized to approve national service positions as part of an interagency agreement. 

 Codifies cost per member service year ceiling for each grant at $18,000, with waiver authority up 

to $19,500 to meet compelling needs of program, such as disadvantaged youth, individuals with 

disabilities, and start-up. Ceiling to be adjusted for inflation in future years. 

 

 Authorizes Corporation to support nonprofit organizations and public agencies in responding to 

disasters through FEMA mission assignments. 

 Permits use of subtitle C funds to make Education Awards Only Program fixed amount grants of 

no more than $800 per member, with authority to increase to $1,000 per member for programs 

serving at least 50% disadvantaged youth. This codifies authority given in recent appropriations 

statutes. 

 Permits Professional Corps programs to apply through AmeriCorps State Formula and 

Competitive as well as National Direct (under current law, professional corps programs that pay a 

living allowance greater than the maximum for non-professional corps programs may apply only 

through State Competitive and National Direct). 

 High school diploma required for AmeriCorps members serving as tutors, with standards set for 

curriculum and training. 

 Directs the Corporation to ensure equitable treatment of grantees that are urban, rural, States, 

national nonprofit organizations, and those that are diverse in terms of program size, as reflected 

in the number of members. 

 Removes priority in grantmaking for programs carried out by another agency. 

 Eliminates requirement that a full-time term of service be at least 9 months. Allows an individual 

to receive Corporation-funded support for more than two terms of AmeriCorps service. Codifies 
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current policy of limiting the length of a part-time term of service to 2 years. 

 Compelling personal circumstances for early release of AmeriCorps member to be determined by 

the grantee. 

 Provides for adjustment of living allowance for members who also participate in Federal Work 

Study. 

 Expands list of activities prohibited member activities to codify long-standing regulations at 45 

CFR 2520.65, and adds abortion services or referrals to the list. 

 Disqualifies from receiving subtitle C assistance any organization that has been convicted of a 

Federal crime. 

 Directs the Corporation to make an effort to allocate not less than 10% of AmeriCorps State and 

National funds and approved national service positions to organizations proposing to involve a 

significant number of participants age 55 and older. 

Disaster Response 

 Authorizes 90-day extension of terms for AmeriCorps members to respond to disasters. 

 Authorizes support to nonprofit organizations and public agencies, through FEMA mission 

assignments, in responding to disasters. 

 Authorizes a National Service Reserve Corps consisting of former national service participants 

and veterans who volunteer to undergo annual training and be deployed, in consultation with 

FEMA, to major disaster or emergency sites to provide disaster preparedness, relief, or recovery. 

 Priority for Disaster Relief: Priority for funding shall be given to areas affected by Presidentiallydeclared major disasters. 

State Commissions 

 For administrative grants to support each State Commission's operations, increases required 

minimum from $125,000 to $250,000. Maximum increased from $750,000 to up to $1,000,000. 

 Retains current law $1 for $1 non-Federal match requirement for Commission administrative 

grants, with new authority to permit a State that demonstrates hardship or a new State 

Commission to match as follows: 0-$100K: 0%; $100-$250K: 50%; and above $250K: 100%. 

 Eligibility for AmeriCorps and Learn & Serve grants is contingent upon a State submitting to the 

Corporation a comprehensive plan that addresses service by members of the Baby Boom 

generation and older adults. 

 Specifies that State Plan is subject to approval of Governor. Adds requirement that the Plan must 

include measurable outcomes. Authorizes State Plan to serve as basis for considering waivers of 

administrative (non-statutory) requirements a State identifies as impeding efficiency of service 

programs. Requires consultation with counties and municipal governments. 

 Adds representative of volunteer sector to list of required Commission members. 
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Challenge and Disability Grants 

 Authorizes use of non-private, non-Federal funds for match for Challenge grants at discretion of 

CEO. Match requirement increases after first grant period. 

 Expands both authorities to all national service grant programs (current law limits to AmeriCorps 

State/National). 

 Reserves disability outreach and placement funds from 2% of program funding (not total of C, D, 

H, and evaluation as under current law), with a maximum of $20 million (increase from 1%, 

$10M cap under current law). Corporation may reallocate unused funds. 

National Service Trust 

 Increases the amount of the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award by tying its value to the 

maximum Pell Grant (currently $5350, but set to increase over time). 

 Excludes Veterans’ education benefits from being considered in determining the amount of an 

education award that may be disbursed. 

 Allows an individual to receive up to the value of two full-time education awards (current law 

caps at first two awards, regardless of amount). 

 Authorizes $500 summer of service education awards for rising 6-12th graders based on 100 hours 

of service ($750 for economically disadvantaged students). Sets maximum of two summer of 

service education awards, neither of which affects an individual’s eligibility for Segal 

AmeriCorps Education Award. Summer of service education award may be used for same uses 

as Segal AmeriCorps Education Award, within 10 years of earning the award. 

 Authorizes $1,000 Silver Scholar education awards, based on 350 hours of service, for 

individuals age 55 and older. 

 In addition to currently authorized uses, allows education award to be used (1) at educational 

institutions eligible for GI Bill educational benefits; (2) to repay loans made by State agencies 

and other lenders considered eligible under the Higher Education Act (codifying long-standing 

appropriations authority) or otherwise approved by the Corporation; and (3) for education 

expenses at a Title IV institution outside definition of “cost of attendance” (such as elder hostel). 

 Transfer of education award earned in Subtitle C position or as a Silver Scholar is permitted for 

individuals 55 or older to the individual’s child or grandchild who meets the citizenship eligibility 

requirements for AmeriCorps and attains a high school degree before using. Recipient must use 

the education award within 10 years of its being earned. 

 Re-codifies the Strengthen AmeriCorps Program Act (timing and recording of Trust obligations). 

 Funds recovered in connection with improperly certified education awards may be returned to the 

National Service Trust. 
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National Civilian Community Corps 

 Strikes reference to “demonstration” in NCCC Purpose Statement and focuses on disaster relief 

along with infrastructure development, environment, energy conservation, and urban and rural 

development. 

 Provides authority for non-residential program activities (current law limits NCCC to residential 

activities). 

 Strengthens focus on recruiting disadvantaged youth as participants. For NCCC summer program, 

to the extent practicable, at least 50% of participants must be from economically and ethnically 

diverse backgrounds, including youth in foster care. 

 Increases minimum member age to 18 (retains upper limit of 24). 

 Directs NCCC to consult with State Commissions in developing projects. 

 Authorizes team leaders with prior supervisory experience with living allowances not to exceed 

10% more than the cap on regular Corps member living allowances. 

 Adds requirement that campuses be cost-effective and directs the Corporation to complete a 

feasibility study before locating a campus on a military installation. Also directs that placement of 

campuses ensure ability for rapid deployment to emergencies in the region in which the campus is 

located. 

 Adds FEMA Administrator, Secretary of Transportation, Chief of U.S. Forest Service, and EPA 

Administrator to NCCC Advisory Board and focuses Board on coordinating Corps members as 

first responders to disasters and mobilizing volunteers. 

 Directs that consideration for appointment to NCCC supervisor and training instructor positions 

be given to former law enforcement, fire, rescue, and emergency personnel, and other individuals 

with backgrounds in disaster preparedness, relief, and recovery. 

 Requires periodic evaluations of NCCC programs. 

AmeriCorps VISTA 

 In VISTA purpose statement, adds emphasis on long-term sustainability of projects and 

strengthening local agencies and community organizations. 

 Includes additional programming models: prisoner re-entry; financial skills for low-income 

communities, before- and after-school programming, micro-enterprises, veterans, childhood 

obesity and other health issues. 

 Adds priority in recruitment for disadvantaged youth. 

 Provides for Family and Medical Leave Act coverage for VISTA members in line with current 

law coverage for State/National members. 

 Eliminates Governor 45-day project approval process. 
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 For those VISTA members who opt for a post-service cash stipend in lieu of an education award, 

increases the amount (which accrues on a monthly basis) from current law range of $100-$125 to 

range of $125-150, with up to $250 for leaders. 

 Drops requirement that the Corporation undertake recruitment of VISTA members and 

requirement to maintain a separate office for VISTA placement. 

 Repeals VISTA Literacy Corps, VISTA Challenge Grants, and University Year for VISTA. 

Senior Corps 

 Codifies “National Senior Service Corps” as program name. 

 The purpose for all three Senior Corps programs is to provide opportunities for senior service to 

meet unmet needs, to empower people 55 years and older to contribute to their communities 

through service, enhancing the lives of those who serve and those whom they serve, and provide 

communities with valuable services. More specifically: 

o SCP purpose is to provide opportunities for older volunteers to provide critical support 

service and companionship to adults at risk of institutionalization and who are struggling 

to maintain a dignified independent life. 

o RSVP purpose is to provide opportunities for older volunteers to share their knowledge, 

experiences, and skills for the betterment of their communities and themselves. 

o FGP purpose is to provide opportunities for older volunteers to have a positive impact 

on the lives of children in need. 

 Lowers minimum age from 60 to 55 for Foster Grandparents and Senior Companions in line 

with current law RSVP volunteers. 

 Federal share of hourly stipend may not exceed $3 (increase over $2.65). 

 Individuals up to 200% of poverty may be eligible for hourly stipend (increase from 125%). 

 FGP authorized to serve children “having special or exceptional needs or with conditions or 

circumstances identified as limiting their academic, social, or economic development.” 

(Previously, FGP only authorized to serve children “having special or exceptional needs”). 

 For RSVP, institutes competition beginning fiscal year 2013, provided that service areas 

maintain level volunteer service years, program distribution remains similar, and disruption of 

volunteers is minimized. Competition selections must incorporate performance measures, 

outcomes, and other criteria established in regulation by the Corporation. Implementation of this 

evaluation process may result in non-renewal of under-performing grantees prior to 2013. The 

Corporation must provide online resources for the RSVP program, including examples of highperforming programs, corrective actions for under-performing programs, and examples of 

meaningful outcome-based performance measures. 

 Directs the Corporation to carry out DVSA in accordance with the DVSA and the relevant 

provisions of the NCSA, particularly section 122 (AmeriCorps grants) and subtitle F of title I 
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(administrative provisions). 

 At least 25% of grants under Programs of National Significance must be to organizations 

currently not receiving Corporation assistance and when possible in locations where no Senior 

Corps projects operate. Adds to list of PNS: respite care, mentoring disadvantaged youth, 

before- and after-school programs serving low-income children, clean energy activities, and 

prisoner reentry. Removes from list of PNS: boarder babies, child care, environmental needs, 

outreach to labor unions and other national organizations, criminal justice, and augmenting State 

human service agency work. 

 Permits sponsors to accept donations, except from beneficiaries. 

Subtitle H Innovation 

 Authorizes a Social Innovation Funds pilot program, $1-10M grants to expand effective 

initiatives and provide seed funding for experimental initiatives and to leverage Federal 

investments to increase private and philanthropic resources in support of evidence-based 

programming. 

 Authorizes a Volunteer Generation Fund to award grants to states and nonprofits to recruit, 

manage, and support volunteers and strengthen the nation’s volunteer infrastructure. Of the funds 

allocated, 50% to be provided as formula grants to States, and 50% to be allotted on a competitive 

basis to State Commissions and nonprofits. 20% match required in first year, increasing to 50% 

for year 4 and thereafter. 

 Retains authority for conferences, youth leadership, service-learning, summer programs, Martin 

Luther King, Jr., Day of Service, Global Youth Service Day, and emergent needs. 

 Drops several provisions – including authority to use funds for training and technical assistance, 

outreach, fellowships, intergenerational programming, and planning. 

 Directs the Corporation to conduct a nationwide Call to Service campaign. 

 Authorizes the Corporation to organize and carry out ceremonies and activities in conjunction 

with a September 11th Day of Service, with authority to make grants in furtherance of related 

service, charity, and remembrance opportunities. 

 Adds authority within subtitle H to provide support – via one-time grants (including fixed amount 

grants) of up to 4 years -- to innovative and model programs. 

 Adds authority within subtitle H to disseminate information through clearinghouses on servicelearning needs assessments, planning, research, evaluation, leadership training, communication, 

curriculum, accessibility to individuals with disabilities, and best practices. 

 Authorizes a Silver Scholarship program providing a $1,000 education award to an individual 

aged 55 or older who performs at least 350 hours of service. 

 Authorizes a Serve America Fellowship program to support individuals selected by State 

Commissions who serve with sponsors registered with the Commission. Fellows will receive a 

living allowance and, upon, successful completion of a term of service, an education award. 
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 Authorizes a new Encore Fellowship program to allow Corporation-selected individuals aged 55 

or older to serve at organizations on a Corporation-maintained list, supported by $11K grants 

(under a $1 for $1 match) to the organization for Fellow living expenses. 75% non-Federal match 

required for the first year, 50% non-Federal match required in subsequent years. 

 Authorizes a Nonprofit Capacity Building Program to make grants of at least $200,000 to 

intermediary organizations to support the provision of organizational development assistance – 

including training on best practices, financial planning, grantwriting, and compliance with 

applicable tax laws – to small and mid-size nonprofit organizations, particularly those facing 

resource hardship challenges. Federal share not to exceed 50%. 

 Repeals several authorities (clearinghouse, military installation conversion, and YukonKuskokwim Delta of Alaska demo). 

Training and Technical Assistance (new Subtitle J) 

 Eliminates current law references to funding training and technical assistance in NCSA subtitle C 

and H, and DVSA, and authorizes a new subtitle J for Training and Technical Assistance for 

programs under the national service laws. 

 Priority for training and technical assistance to be given to programs where services are needed 

most, where programs don’t exist or don’t meet community needs, in underserved rural or urban 

communities, and programs developing a service component that combines students, out-ofschool youth, and older adults as participants. 

 The Corporation shall reserve up to 2.5% of program funds to fund dissemination of servicelearning research and best practices, Civic Health Assessment, and for training and technical 

assistance, with $1M for the Civic Health Assessment. 

Administrative Provisions 

 Prohibits displacement of volunteers (in addition to current law prohibition of displacement of 

employees), codifying 2005 AmeriCorps rulemaking. 

 Adds requirement for national service programs to consult with parents in developing and 

operating programs that serve children; requires written permission from parents before 

transporting minor children. 

 Focuses national evaluation activities on performance measures, with more service delivery 

evaluation focus on effective use of participants’ time and cost-effectiveness. In addition to funds 

appropriated under evaluation section 179, authorizes Corporation to reserve up to one percent of 

total program funds to support program accountability activities. 

 Directs the Corporation to conduct evaluations and submit reports covering progress on achieving 

50 percent AmeriCorps member full-time goal, progress in consolidating application and 

reporting requirements, and veterans’ involvement in national service programs. 

 Directs the Corporation to (1) establish, in consultation with grantees, performance measures for 

each program, (2) require corrective plans for those not meeting goals, and (3) reduce or 

terminate assistance if correction is not made. New grantees must receive training and technical 
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assistance relating to performance problems. Annual reports are required, beginning two years 

after enactment. 

 Authorizes the Corporation, in collaboration with Commissions and in consultation with grantees, 

to set sustainability goals relating to grantees’ acquiring and leveraging non-Federal funds. 

 Specifies that, unless otherwise provided, Corporation grants are up to 3 years. 

 Directs the Corporation to consider the extent to which a grant applicant will increase the 

involvement of volunteers in meeting community needs, while also considering the applicant’s 

mission. 

 All Board of Directors terms five years (current law reflects initial staggered terms of varying 

lengths). Permits Board members to serve for one year beyond expiration of term while awaiting 

successor. 

 Provides that Board has overall policy responsibility, retains current law operational authorities, 

and adds authority to review agency’s annual budget submission and to review the CEO 

performance and recommend to the President whether to retain or remove the CEO. 

 Increases CEO salary 3 percent to match the Inspector General salary increase in the Inspector 

General Act amendments of 2008. 

 Changes the Chief Financial Officer’s position from a Presidentially-appointed, Senate-confirmed 

position to a position appointed by the CEO. 

 Permits cost-share agreements under which other Federal agencies support national service 

programs. 

 Directs CEO to collaborate with State Commissions in preparing the agency’s strategic plan. 

Directs CEO to include, as part of the strategic plan submitted to the Board of Directors for 

approval, a plan for achieving 50 percent full time AmeriCorps members (including S/N, NCCC, 

and VISTA). CEO to submit annual report to the Board and Congress on actions taken to achieve 

the 50% full-time goal. 

 Authorizes CEO to use peer reviewers in evaluating applications for assistance under title I of the 

NCSA (including L&S, AmeriCorps, and Subtitle H grants). 

 Authorizes personal services contracts for research, evaluation, and public awareness functions. 

 Directs CEO to engage in outreach activities to bolster the public awareness of national service 

opportunities, including engaging AmeriCorps alumni organizations and a reserve corps of 

former national service participants trained in disaster response. 

 Authorizes CEO – after consulting with stakeholders - to assign to State Commissions specific 

programmatic functions to increase efficiency in the operation or oversight of national service 

programs, with report to Congress within 2 years on consultative process and any actions taken. 

 Authorizes a study to evaluate feasibility of electronic verification of AmeriCorps member 

citizenship status, and a pilot program based on the findings. 
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 Directs the Corporation to conduct a study on how national service programs could better serve 

displaced workers, with a report due to Congress one year after enactment, and a pilot program 

based on the findings. 

 Directs the Corporation to study and submit a plan on how best to establish a Volunteer 

Management Corps under which individuals with experience as managers would participate. 

 The Corporation to establish requirements for Corporation grantees to promote citizenship and 

civic engagement, consistent with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services citizenship 

programs, for AmeriCorps members and Summer of Service participants. 

 Requires criminal history checks for any individual who receives a Corporation grant-funded 

living allowance, stipend, education award, or salary. Disqualifies any registered sex offender or 

individual convicted of murder from receiving an education award. Requires, within 2 years after 

the bill’s enactment, an FBI fingerprint check for those individuals with access to vulnerable 

populations, except for programs for whom such checks would be prohibitively expensive, 

programs not authorized to conduct FBI checks, and for individuals whose access to vulnerable 

populations is episodic or less than 1 day. Directs the Attorney General to conduct a feasibility 

study on the efficiency and effectiveness of criminal history checks to examine, among other 

things, the availability, accessibility, and cost of the checks. 

 Prohibits use of grant funds for the sole purpose of referring individuals for other Federal 

assistance. 

 Authorizes suspension of funding for emergency situations for one or more 30 day periods not to 

exceed 90 days. 

 Prohibits the use of funds to endorse, approve, or sanction any elementary or secondary school 

curriculum, and funding may not be conditioned on a State having its academic standards 

approved by the Federal government. 

 Authorizes the Corporation to consolidate or modify application procedures and reporting 

requirements for national service grant recipients. 

 Makes explicit that the Corporation may accept donated services from organizations or employed 

individuals. 

 Prohibits match requirements for any program in a severely economically distressed community. 

 Directs the Corporation, in partnership with the National Conference on Citizenship, and with 

technical advice from the Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, to conduct a Civic 

Health Assessment, including collecting civic health data (e.g., volunteering, voting, and 

charitable giving rates), conducting related analyses, and reporting the data and analyses, in order 

to evaluate and compare the civic health of communities. 

 For member grievances, specifies that remedies include the applicant’s selection or reinstatement 

and other changes in the terms and conditions of service. 

 Directs each Federal agency to report to the Corporation on employee volunteer activities at 

schools, with the Corporation providing a compilation to Congressional committees. 
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 Directs the CEO to appoint a Strategic Advisor for Indian Affairs. 

 Directs the Government Accountability Office to develop performance measures for each 

national service program and make an assessment every five years. 

Points of Light Foundation 

 Repeals Title III authority to make non-competitive grants to the Points of Light Foundation. 

Authorization of Appropriations 

 Learn & Serve America: $97M for FY 2010, including up to $10M for summer of service grants 

and up to $10M for summer of service education awards, up to $20M for youth engagement 

zones, $7M for campuses of service, and such sums as may be necessary FY 2011-2014. 

 Subtitles C, D, & H, and audits/evaluations: such sums as may be necessary FY 2010-2014. 

 Subtitle E AmeriCorps NCCC: such sums as may be necessary for FY 2010 – 2014. 

 Serve America Fellowships: such sums as may be necessary FY 2010-2014. 

 Silver Scholars and Encore Fellows: $12M for 2010 and such sums as may be necessary for FY 

2010-2014. 

 National Service Reserve Corps: such sums as may be necessary for FY 2010 – 2014. 

 Social Innovation Funds Pilot: $50M for 2010, $60M for 2011, $70M for 2012, $80M for 2013, 

$100M for 2014. 

 Volunteer Generation Fund: $50M for 2010, $60M for 2011, $70M for 2012, $80M for 2013, and 

$100M for 2014. 

 DVSA administration: such sums as may be necessary FY 2010 – 2014. 

 Such sums as necessary for Administration of Corporation for FY 2010-2014, a portion of which 

is for State Commission administrative grants. 

Effective Date 

 October 1, 2009 (except where otherwise specified). 

Programs in Other Agencies: Volunteers for Prosperity and Charitable Tax Deductions 

 Establishes within USAID a program to mobilize skilled American professionals to perform 

international volunteer service. Authorizes $10 million for 2010, and such sums as may be 

necessary for 2011-2014. 

 Includes a separate Sense of the Senate “that Congress should preserve the income tax deduction 

for charitable contributions through the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and look for additional 

ways to encourage charitable giving.”