Welcome to the inaugural Maine Climate Corps E-News! From time-to-time Volunteer Maine will share updates and opportunities related to the developing Maine Climate Corps. 

Please note -- users of Outlook on a desktop: There may be some formatting issues that, unfortunately, are beyond our control. If that is the case, please utilize the "View Email as Webpage" link at the top of the page. We apologize for any inconvenience!

What is the Maine Climate Corps? 

The vision of the Maine Climate Corps is a network, or umbrella, of multiple service corps programs all working towards the goals of Maine Won’t Wait. Climate Corps members will weatherize homes, stabilize shorelines, plan for a changing climate, engage and educate community members, recruit and manage volunteers, and much more.

Right now, the primary funding opportunity is the AmeriCorps program. Volunteer Maine makes grants to project sponsors to stand up AmeriCorps programs focused on our state’s ambitious climate goals.  

Two AmeriCorps grant opportunities are currently open:

AmeriCorps Public Health Grant: Public Health AmeriCorps is a unique collaboration of the federal AmeriCorps agency and US CDC. Climate-related public health challenges could be addressed by this grant, including, heat-related illness, asthma, brown tail moth, or tick-borne illness.

AmeriCorps State Competitive: This annual AmeriCorps competition focuses on federal funding priorities which this year include rural communities, climate action, and service as a pathway to employment.

Submission Deadlines: November 17, 2022

View opportunities on our website.

Be in touch with our office if you are interested in exploring an AmeriCorps program idea. We can help you connect with like-minded organizations to partner with and explore existing program models that could be replicated in Maine. 

Volunteer Management Professional Development

The foundation of strong service corps programs are strong volunteer management practices. Investing in community volunteers is a first step to participate in the Maine Climate Corps. Volunteer Maine has two upcoming opportunities for you to sharpen your skills: 

Maine Volunteer Leadership Conference 

Join us in-person for the Maine Volunteer Leadership Conference on November 18 in Belfast. This conference is geared towards anyone who works with volunteers and would like to gain more tools for their volunteer programs. Registration closes November 14.

Volunteer Management Professional Development

Are you responsible for designing, implementing, or sponsoring volunteer programs? Thinking about sponsoring a Climate Corps program in the future? Consider taking Volunteer Maine’s Certificate in Management of Volunteers course. This virtual, self-paced course runs for 7 weeks. Registration closes on November 4.

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.