AmeriCorps State-Iowa Grant ApplicationMasterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: AmeriCorps State -Iowa Grant Application
DATE: November 9, 2010
Dubuque
heill
A!-Am 1ca Cfly
' 1 1 '
2007
Leisure Services Manager Marie Ware recommends City Council approval to submit a
grant application to the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Services for the City of Dubuque
AmeriCorps program. The source of match funding is a 25% match from AmeriCorps
sites and in kind match for administration and training. The City would be committing
$2,000 of the Director's salary cost which allows the Director to apply for grants in the
future.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Marie L. Ware, Leisure Services Manager
7icha /\---------
el C. Van Milligen
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Marie L. Ware, Leisure Services Manager
SUBJECT: AmeriCorps State -Iowa Grant Application
DATE: November 4, 2010
Dubuque
hittld
All-AlnerleaClty
a
2007
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memorandum is to request the City Council to authorize the City Manager's execution
of the grant application to the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service for the City of Dubuque AmeriCorps
Program.
BACKGROUND
The City of Dubuque's Partners in Learning AmeriCorps Program has been extremely successful in its
first 10 years of operation under the capable leadership of Penny Ehlinger, AmeriCorps Director. The
program's success is apparent in the 650 plus AmeriCorps members giving almost 225,000 hours of
service in our community. These members have performed invaluable service in the Dubuque
Community Schools, at the Multicultural Family Center, in Leisure Service programs as well as a variety
of other agencies including but not limited to Carnegie Stout Public Library, Crescent Community Health
Center, Dubuque Community Y, RSVP, Washington Neighborhood Development Corporation, Housing
and Community Development plus working with Circles and Getting Ahead, Sustainability office and
much, much more.
AmeriCorps members are paid a stipend for their service. Some members are given a living allowance
and some are given an education allowance. The stipends and allowances are a part of the grant. These
funds are many times directly invested in our community in the form of rent or tuition to local colleges and
universities.
Grants in the past have ranged from $200,000- 300,000. The grants are funded in two possible ways. If
chosen, the grant will be submitted from the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service into the competitive
program through the Corporation for National and Community Service which could mean approval of a
grant for a three year commitment. If it is not submitted to the federal level, the grant will be reviewed for
formula funding through the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service. Approval of the grant under formula
funding would mean a one year commitment. Dubuque AmeriCorps has been funded through the
competitive program with the three year commitment.
The source of match funding is a 25% match from AmeriCorps sites and in kind match for administration
and training. The City would be committing $2000 of the Director's salary cost which allows the Director to
apply for grants in the future. The program doesn't allow for the grant writing to be paid for out of the
grant.
This program is directed by Penny Ehlinger and Beverly Berna, They currently are sharing the position in
the interim of hiring. The recruitment and hiring process to replace Penny whom is retiring, is nearing
completion.
RECOMMENDATION OR CONCLUSION
I recommend authorizing the City Manager's to sign the grant application to the Iowa Commission on
Volunteer Service for the City of Dubuque AmeriCorps program.
cc: Penny Ehlinger, AmeriCorps Program Director