AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs, made up of three primary programs that each take a different approach to improving lives and fostering civic engagement. Members commit their time to address critical community needs like increasing academic achievement, mentoring youth, fighting poverty, sustaining national parks, preparing for disasters, and more.

You must be a U.S. citizen, national, or legal permanent resident of the United States to be an AmeriCorps member. Other eligibility requirements will be determined by the host site. You must be at least 18 years old to be a VISTA and you must be at least 17 years old to be an AmeriCorps ND member.

AmeriCorps VISTA members serve full-time for one year at a host site in North Dakota through the Souris Basin Community Builder program. VISTAs perform indirect service, which means they help build the capacity of organizations to deliver valuable direct services to people affected by poverty. VISTAs may help create new programs, write grants, recruit volunteers, or establish communication plans (services are not limited to these sample activities). For example, a VISTA could establish a tutoring program, recruit and train volunteers, and raise money for the program but would not tutor the children.

AmeriCorps ND members serve at a host site in North Dakota through the Souris Basin Community Builder program for a specified length of service. Members may perform direct service, help create new programs, write grants, recruit volunteers, or establish communication plans (services are not limited to these sample activities). For example, an AmeriCorps ND member could establish a tutoring program, recruit and train volunteers, raise money for the program, and tutor the children.

A host site is the organization in which an AmeriCorps member serves. This can be a non-profit or public organization. Organizations interested in being a host site should contact SBPC and apply to be a Community Builder partner.

AmeriCorps sponsors are organizations that are awarded AmeriCorps slots/grants from CNCS. SBPC is an intermediary sponsor and we help provide CNCS resources to other eligible organizations. As the intermediary sponsor, we provide administrative services, technical support, training, and oversight to partner organizations, referred to as "host sites" where members are assigned. We may also host members in our office to help increase our organizational capacity.

As a Community Builder AmeriCorps member, you will learn the ins and outs of nonprofits and community service organizations through hands-on experience and a supportive network of mentors and peers while building community and making lasting change. Through the Community Builder program, you will gain professional and leadership training.

Application deadlines vary by position. VISTA positions are typically posted each year between the months of May and September. AmeriCorps ND positions are typically posted each year between the months of August and January.

AmeriCorps ND members receve a living allowance, subject to federal and state income tax. The amount of the living allowance varies each year. More information about the living allowance contact our Community Builder team. Members who successfully complete a term of service are also eligible to receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. This education award may be used to pay education costs at eligible post-secondary education institutions, as well as repay qualified student loans. The education award is subject to income tax. Members are eligible to postpone payments on qualified federal student loans during their term of service (called a forbearance). Upon successful completion of service, members are also eligible to have all or a portion of the interest that accrued during their term paid off.

VISTAs receve a living allowance, subject to federal income tax. The amount of the living allowance is determined by CNCS, based upon where the AmeriCorps VISTA will be located, and varies each year. More information about the living allowance is available here. VISTA members who successfully complete a term of service are also eligible to receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award, or an end-of-service cash stipend. This education award may be used to pay education costs at eligible post-secondary education institutions, as well as repay qualified student loans. The education award is subject to income tax. AmeriCorps VISTA provides a Healthcare Allowance benefit to members who maintain primary health coverage from another provider. This option covers out-of-pocket expenses like copayments and deductibles. A basic Health Benefits Plan is also available for those who are legally exempt from the federal requirement to maintain health care coverage. VISTAs are allowed 10 sick days, 10 personal days, and up to 5 emergency days (bereavement or otherwise) during their year of service. VISTA candidates approved to relocate to serve are eligible for a Relocation Travel Allowance, which is intended to off-set the cost of relocating to serve and the shipment of personal effects between the home of record and the service site. The rate, established by the federal government and the VISTA program, is based on the mileage between the home of record and the site. Members moving 50 miles or more from their home of record are also eligible for a settling-in allowance. VISTA members are eligible to postpone payments on qualified federal student loans during their term of service (called a forbearance). Upon successful completion of service, members are also eligible to have all or a portion of the interest that accrued during their term paid off. VISTA members may be eligible for a housing stipend.

VISTAs and AmeriCorps members and VISTA leaders are allowed to take lawful employment if approved by their host site supervisor, and does not interfere with their service or service hours.

Many members go on to grad school, find jobs at their host sites, or through connections made during their service term, or members can re-enroll for another term of service.

VISTA members receive one year of Non-Competitive Eligibility for federal jobs. Non-Competitive Eligibility allows VISTA members to apply for post-service federal jobs that are not publicly posted, which could provide an advantage during the hiring process.

SBPC does not offer grants, but we do offer low interest financing for many different needs.

SBPC financing programs may offer appealing rates for projects that have higher risk. Examples: lower credit scores and limited collateral. SBPC does not take on the role of a traditional lender. Lender participation is not required for all of our programs, but we do encourage potential applicants to approach their lender to see if their project can be packaged with SBPC financing.

The first step is to talk to your current financial institute/lender to share your project, and give us a call if you have questions about our programs. SBPC has experience working with local lenders – we suggest approaching more than one lender; every lender is different! Find the lender that is right for you, and your project.

The following documents will be required to complete your application. New businesses: 1. employer tax documentation 2. ND Secretary of State Certificate of Good Standing 3. copies of government issued IDs for all applicants 4. personal financial statements from principals controlling 20% or more of business (key persons) 5. personal tax returns from past three years of principals controlling 20% or more of business 6. letter from other proposed financing sources stating conditions for participation 7. business plan 8. financial projections 9. credit report of principals controlling 20% or more of business Existing businesses need everything listed above, plus the following: 1. company tax returns for the past 3 years 2. year-end balance sheets and P/L statements for the past three years

SBPC does not provide technical expertise to work with businesses in this capacity. We strongly encourage all applicants that need this technical assistance to reach out to Mary Beth Votava at the North Dakota Small Business Development Center (SBDC) located in Minot, ND. The North Dakota SBDC has the experience and expertise to help start-up entrepreneurs work through the steps that are needed prior to the financing stage. This expertise is provided at no cost to you. Experienced entrepreneurs are also encouraged to utilize the valuable services of the North Dakota SBDC. Visit https://ndsbdc.org/ for more information.

The time it takes to complete an application will vary with each project. All projects remain in the application phase until all application requirements are met.

Once all allocation requirements are met, the SBPC financing team will present your project at our next scheduled Souris Basin Loan Review Committee (SBLRC) meeting. The SBLRC is made up of experienced lenders and business professionals that are excited to advance economic progress our region! To see a schedule of meetings, please visit https://www.sourisbasin.org/calendar.

If your project is approved for financing, the next step is to schedule your loan closing. This can be dependent on the type/use of funding you receive. SBPC will discuss this timeline during the application phase.

SBPC financing staff and the Souris Basin Loan Review Committee members will have access to review your application and all supporting materials. SBPC also enters into an agreement with all other lending partners to share information over the life of your project. All documents and files submitted to SBPC are saved in confidential and secure files and are not made available to any other individuals or organizations.