Maine Climate Corps E-News, Public Hearing on Maine Climate Corps LD 142,

AmeriCorps grant competitions opening soon.

Public Hearing on Maine Climate Corps Funding

On January 31st at 1 p.m. there will be a public hearing in the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee on LD 142, an Act to Fund Climate-related Service Work.

This bill would appropriate about $1.8 million for the Maine Climate Corps, funding approximately 50 Climate Corps member positions.



The funding would be released to Maine organizations to stand up Climate Corps programs in focus areas such as Energy Efficiency, Community Resilience and Emergency Preparedness, Green Schools, or Public Health.

AmeriCorps Grant Opportunities Will Be Opening Soon

Currently, the main funding opportunity to develop Climate Corps programs is AmeriCorps.

Volunteer Maine will be opening grant competitions this Spring for AmeriCorps awards. Now, is the time to connect with Volunteer Maine to discuss potential program ideas. Even if you are unsure your agency has the capacity to apply or sponsor a project, reach out to the Climate Corps Coordinator, there may be other like organizations forming a coalition to apply together.

AmeriCorps Planning Grants: Planning grants provide community organizations the resources, technical assistance, and support to develop a "shovel-ready" AmeriCorps State program that would be proposed for funding in a future operational grant program.

AmeriCorps State Operational and Rural Operational Grants: These competitions provide funding for AmeriCorps programs to tackle pressing community needs

Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, government agencies, faith-based organizations, or higher-ed institutions.

Don't hesitate to be in touch with:

Kirsten Brewer, Climate Corps Coordinator

Michael Ashmore, Program Development Officer

Marine Education Funding Offers Conservation Corps support

The Maine Department of Education currently has an open RFA for Coastal Education and Marine Trades. The purpose is to provide funding for interdisciplinary marine/coastal ecology experiences for Maine students. Included in the RFA is an opportunity to host a Maine Conservation Corps member in support of your project. See the State of Maine Grant RFPs and RFAs webpage for more information. Search "marine" to find this RFA.

Partnership for the Civilian Climate Corps

Earlier this month, the Partnership for the Civilian Climate Corps launched. The Partnership has a goal to expand national service and workforce programming to address climate resilience and mitigation.

Webinar: Building a pipeline to energy sector careers through service years

In December, the Brookings Institution co-hosted a webinar with some of our National Service colleagues featuring Service Corps programs focused on energy efficiency and weatherization

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Watch the recording here.

Maine Climate Corps in the News

Volunteer Maine, the state service commission, builds capacity and sustainability in Maine's volunteer and service communities by funding programs, developing managers of volunteers, raising awareness of sector issues, and promoting service as a strategy. Its mission is to foster and inspire community service and volunteerism to address critical needs in the State of Maine.