Americorps 2012-2013 State of 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 3, 2011
Dubuque
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All - America City
2007
Leisure Services Manager Marie Ware is recommending the execution of the Iowa
Commission on Volunteer Service City of Dubuque AmeriCorps Program grant
application.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Marie L. Ware, Leisure Services Manager
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
DATE:
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Marie L. Ware, Leisure Services Manager
AmeriCorps State -Iowa Grant Application
October 28, 2011
Dubuque
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AN- AmerlcaCkyy
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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 11
years of operation. The program is under the capable leadership of Deb Bell, AmeriCorps Director. The
program's success is apparent in the 700 plus AmeriCorps members giving over 250,000 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, 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 living stipend for their service and also earn an education award at the
end of their service. 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 grant will be submitted to the Iowa
Commission on Volunteer Service. Last year's grant for 2011 -12 was funded through the competitive
program through the Corporation for National and Community Service which has meant approval of a
grant for a three year commitment. At this time we would expect the grant to go into the second year
commitment. If it does not get passed from the state to the federal level the grant would compete under
formula funding at the state level and would mean a one 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 Deb Bell whom has been doing an outstanding job in her first year with the
program. Deb has become a real leader. She has initiated a number of improvements to the program
and has been using technology to communicate very effectively with the members and the placement
sites. She also has initiated disaster training for the members (which we hope we don't have to use).
RECOMMENDATION
I recommend signing the grant application to the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service for the City of
Dubuque AmeriCorps program.
cc: Deb Bell, AmeriCorps Program Director