The Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC), in partnership with AmeriCorps the Agency, is pleased to announce the availability of funds for the 9/11 National Day of Service honoring the 20th Anniversary of those we lost during the terrorist attacks on America. The theme “Honor, Serve, Unite” is focused on volunteer service bringing Americans together to honor those we lost and were harmed, respond to community needs, and thank our first responders, veterans, active military, and healthcare workers who fight for our freedom and health.
FUNDING AMOUNTS: Support is available up to $1,000 and will be considered based on the following scale of volunteer involvement:
$1,000—Engage 200 or more volunteers
$750—Engage 150 or more volunteers
$500—Engage 100 or more volunteers
$250—Engage at least 50 volunteers
$100—Engage at least 25 volunteers
Dates: All service projects must occur on or around September 11, 2021.
Application Deadline: Wednesday, August 11, 2021.
Applicants will receive notification of awards by Friday, August 18, 2021.
Heroes Campaign: Every applicant will be required to submit a nomination for the MCSC’s virtual recognition project, called the MI Heroes Campaign. The focus of the campaign is to lift up heroes by sharing the stories of volunteers and those who have met the community’s need through service.
The nomination form can be accessed here:
https://miheroesproject.org/ WHO CAN APPLY: Michigan national service grantees, municipalities, volunteer centers, nonprofit organizations, food resource organizations, mentoring organizations, youth groups, youth service organizations, K-12, and higher education institutions are eligible to apply.
COVID-19 SAFETY: All in-person projects must practice Center for Disease Control and State of Michigan guidelines. Depending on your project, please ensure vulnerable people are protected from exposure to COVID-19.
Send Questions to: Melissa Sherry, Volunteer Impact Coordinator sherrym2@michigan.gov
Steps to Take in Designing Your Service Project:
Step 1. Create Project Plan
Review the
sample list of 9/11 Day Projects to help generate project ideas. You can design your own project to address a community need or use an example from the list provided. Projects will focus on one or more of following areas: disaster services, economic opportunity, environmental stewardship, education, healthy futures, diversity, equity and inclusion, and veterans and military families.
Step 2. Design Project Budget
Develop a list of all supplies needed and the costs. Awarded funds are reimbursed upon satisfactorily reporting of expenses. Organizations awarded funds will need to register as a vendor of the State of Michigan to receive payment. The process will be explained during the grantee meeting.
Step 3. Grant Award and Implementation
Projects should be held on or about 9/11/21. Grant awards will be in the range of $100 to $1,000 with no matching requirements. However, partnering with local businesses and other sponsorships is encouraged, and you are asked to report your additional funds and resources generated for the project. Funds requested should be commensurate with the number of volunteers engaged. Additional consideration will be to projects that include youth involvement.
