We are excited to announce that our organization was awarded a $100,000 AmeriCorps Planning Grant to implement a paid “internship” program focused on civic and career readiness. The planning grant will begin September 1, 2023 and run through August 31, 2024. During that time, we will be soliciting feedback from our member campuses, building program components and community connections, and applying for funding to operationalize in both Iowa and Minnesota. If applications for funding are successful, the program will begin in Fall 2024.
“This is the beginning of an ambitious effort to rebuild civic capacity in the Midwest by introducing more college students to non-profit and public service careers,” said Rob Barron, Executive Director of Iowa & Minnesota Campus Compact. “We hear loud and clear from our member campuses that their students want and need paid opportunities to make a difference in their communities, and we believe the College Corps program will provide those opportunities.”
The AmeriCorps Planning Grant will center on accessible career preparation experiences for college students interested in the public sector. Students would be placed with a nonprofit or community based organization and earn hands-on experience, a living allowance competitive with for-profit internships, and an Education Award that can go directly towards student loans or college tuition. Our organization would collaborate with the student’s institution and service site to provide professional development and key training.
Staff member Kayla Lyftogt will be taking the lead on the planning grant process. Anyone interested in the program can contact Kayla at [email protected].
We are grateful to Volunteer Iowa for funding this opportunity and look forward to learning more with you all over the next year.
