National Service Programs: AmeriCorps*USA--Early Program Resource and Benefit Information

GAO discussed the resources available for the Corporation for National and Community Services' AmeriCorps*USA program. GAO noted that: (1) for program year 1994 through 1995, over one-third of the total available resources for AmeriCorps*USA programs came from other federal agencies, state and local governments, and private sector contributors; (2) the public sector provided about 88 percent of the $351 million in total program resources; (3) most of the Corporation's funding for AmeriCorps projects went to providing operating grants and educational awards; (4) excluding in-kind private sector contributions, total available resources averaged $26,654 per participant; (5) actual program costs could not be determined because the program was only in its first year of operation; (6) AmeriCorps programs operated by federal agencies had about 20 percent more available funds per participant and relied on more nonCorporation resources than those operated by nonfederal organizations; and (7) program initiatives supported AmeriCorps*USA objectives to meet unmet human, educational, environmental, and public safety needs, strengthen community ties, develop civic responsibility, and expand educational opportunities for program participants and others.