AmeriCorps Volunteers In Service to America 94.013

AmeriCorps Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) is the national service program of AmeriCorps designed specifically to fight poverty. VISTA supports efforts to alleviate poverty by engaging individuals, 18 years and older, from all walks of life, in a year of full-time service with a sponsoring organization (sponsor) to create or expand programs designed to bring individuals and communities out of poverty.

The proposed project must have a clear anti-poverty focus, include the involvement of the low-income community, and the activities must lead to sustainability of the project. The activities of the VISTA members may not supplant staff or current volunteers. See program's Notice of Funding Opportunity for more information.

VISTA activities must benefit low-income persons and communities by building the capacity of the sponsoring organization to find permanent solutions to poverty.

VISTAs live and serve in some of our nation’s poorest areas. They receive a modest living allowance and other benefits during their service. After successfully completing a term of service, VISTAs and Summer Associates may receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award, which can be used to pay for college or student loans, or an end-of-service cash stipend. Sponsors may contribute to the cost of a VISTA through "cost share," but are under no obligation to do so.

See program's Notice of Funding Opportunity and application instructions for information on other application procedures.

Eligible applicants may be public sector organizations or private nonprofits as designed by the IRS. For-profit entities are not eligible.

Public sector organizations including state, local and Tribal entities as well as private non-profit organizations are eligible to apply.

The beneficiaries of VISTA projects must be low-income communities or individuals within the United States and its territories.