When Corporation appropriations were combined with resources from other federal agencies and state and local governments, the public sector provided about 88 percent of the $351 million in total program resources available. Most of the Corporation’s funding for AmeriCorps*USA projects went to providing operating grants and education awards. In calculating resources available on a per-participant and per-service-hour basis (see table 1), we found that average resources available from all sources per AmeriCorps*USA participant amounted to about $26,654 (excluding in-kind contributions from private sources). Meeting Unmet Needs

One of AmeriCorps*USA’s objectives was to help the nation meet its unmet human, educational, environmental, and public safety needs, or as the Corporation states it, “getting things done.” Our visits to programs also identified diverse achievements. The Corporation also disagreed with the methodology we employed to develop and report on total available resources per participant and per service hour. These estimates of resources and participants were used to calculate the available resources per participant for nonfederal programs. Many of the federal agencies did not directly administer their AmeriCorps*USA programs. SCC supports the task force’s mission to develop and support programs that decrease the demand for illegal drugs within and, when directed, outside of the Navy. Program Accomplishments

MAGIC ME aims to improve the program’s effectiveness and expand the program to reach youth and elderly nationwide. Participants receive a stipend of $7,660 for the program year; those beginning the program after its start receive an adjusted amount. Per FTE (n=17)
The resources available to the program are 88 percent federal funds and in-kind contributions, and 12 percent private funds. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Address Correction Requested
Why GAO Did This Study

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO provided information on the public and private resources being used to support the Corporation for National and Community Service's AmeriCorps*USA program, focusing on: (1) the amount of funds and in-kind contributions used to support program participants; (2) the per-participant and per-service-hour allocation of program resources; and (3) program objectives, anticipated benefits, and achievements to date.

What GAO Found

GAO found that: (1) for program year 1994 to 1995, Corporation resources available per program participant totalled $17,600, while total resources per participant averaged about $26,654; (2) over one-third of the program's financial resources came from sources outside of the Corporation, mostly from other federal agencies and state and local governments; (3) private sector contributions accounted for about 12 percent of the program's total available resources; (4) most of the Corporation's funding for program projects went to providing operating grants and education awards; (5) per-participant resources were lower for programs run by nonfederal organizations than those funded by federal agencies; (6) total available resources per-service-hour amounted to about $16; (7) Congress intended for the program to help communities address their unmet human, educational, environmental, and public safety needs; (8) the program has achieved a variety of results that support its goals; and (9) the programs reviewed were designed to strengthen community ties and spirit, develop civic responsibility, and expand educational opportunities for program participants and others.