On May 9, 2023, AmeriCorps - the federal agency for national service and volunteerism - announced that Up2Us Sports would once again receive critical funding for our national service coach program. Since 2009, AmeriCorps funding has allowed us to train and support over 3,700 coaches to make a significant impact on the lives of more than 650,000 young people.

This AmeriCorps State and National funding will allow for up to 180 AmeriCorps members to join Up2Us Coach during the 2023-2024 service year. This grant will support AmeriCorps members nationally and will continue allowing us to provide comprehensive training, professional development, and ongoing support to coach-mentors, ensuring they have the skills and resources necessary to make a lasting impact on the lives of the young people they serve.

In addition. Up2Us Sports will receive funding at the state level through local state commissions with added support from CaliforniaVolunteers, Serve Illinois, Volunteer Louisiana and PennSERVE. More information on state commission grants will be announced as it becomes available.

“Up2Us Sports is thrilled to continue our partnership with AmeriCorps. Together, we will provide opportunities for thousands of youth across the country to connect to Up2Us Sports coach-mentors,” said Jack Callahan, Senior Director of AmeriCorps Programs. He continued, “Up2Us Sports coaches serving their communities as highly-trained coach-mentors will directly address some of the most pressing issues facing youth in low-income communities through mentorship, sports programs, and recreational activities. With the support of AmeriCorps, our team will continue to show the power that coaches and sports can have to transform communities and empower youth to achieve their potential."

AmeriCorps State and National engages more than 65,000 Americans in intensive service each year. Full-time AmeriCorps members in the AmeriCorps State and National program receive a modest living allowance, health care and childcare. At the successful completion of each service term, members earn a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award to repay qualified student loans and to pay current educational expenses at eligible institutions of higher education and training programs.

We are currently actively recruiting coaches interested in becoming a coach-mentor in their community, as well as organizations interested in hosting these coach-mentors. For more information about how to become a coach or how to host a coach with our AmeriCorps-funded national coaching program in your market, visit www.up2ussports.org/about-coach.

Read the official announcement from AmeriCorps here.