9 Colleges and Universities receive 2025 AmeriCorps MLK Day of Service Grants through TMA & the Partnership Alliance
Frederick, MD – Transform Mid-Atlantic is pleased to announce that nine campuses in the region, consisting of TMA member and non-member campuses, have been awarded a total of over $32,000 in 2025 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Day of Service Grants to support campus-community volunteer generating events in January 2025 that commemorate MLK, Jr. Day. Funding for the grant opportunity was competitively awarded to TMA and six other state / regional higher education networks belonging to the Partnership Alliance by the Corporation for National and Community Service (AmeriCorps).
About the AmeriCorps Dr. MLK, Jr. National Day of Service Grants
With Engage New Jersey as the lead agency, TMA and the Partnership Alliance were awarded a $250,000 per-year three-year grant with the purpose of honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Partnership Alliance, a network of seven higher education associations across the United States dedicated to advancing the public purposes of higher education through place-based campus-community engagement, has received this funding through AmeriCorps’ National Days of Service Grant Program. The funded programs propose to engage a total of over 15,000 students across 11 states in service on or around Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January 2025 that support underserved and marginalized individuals and communities.
"Last year's Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Day of Service initiatives supported by this grant were phenomenal, and we are pleased to award grants of between $1,000 and $5,000 to nearly double the number of campuses and amount of funding for 2025," says Madeline Yates, Founder and Executive Director for Transform Mid-Atlantic. "Hundreds of student volunteers will be working alongside dozens of community partner organizations from Wilmington, Delaware to Frostburg, Maryland and the District of Columbia to catalyze these service projects. We are excited to see how these projects cross-pollinate new connections and partnerships moving forward."
Nine Campuses in the Transform Mid-Atlantic region have been granted funding to support MLK, Jr. National Day of Service activities on or around their campuses, engaging students, faculty, and community members in a day of service, learning, and celebration of Dr. King’s enduring legacy. Campuses in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Delaware receiving grants include:
- American University – The Center for Leadership & Community Engagement's event is scheduled for January 24, 2025, and aims to support underserved individuals and communities in urban areas, particularly in Wards 7 and 8 of Washington, D.C. The project will involve around 100 volunteers from the university, who will be serve in various non-profit organizations in high-need areas that are otherwise difficult to access via public transportation. The university plans to engage with approximately 10 community partners to facilitate the volunteer activities
- Baltimore City Community College – The Office of Student Life & Engagement at BCCC plans to host a community service event on January 16, 2025, focusing on addressing food insecurity and increasing community engagement in West Baltimore. The event will involve 50-100 volunteers and over 200 guests, partnering with a public school, a community health organization, and the Baltimore City Voter Registration Community Organization. The event will be held at the college's Fine Arts Center in an urban area.
- Bowie State University - Bowie State University's Division of Student Affairs will focus on food insecurity and homelessness, creating 1,000 lunch bags for shelters in Washington, DC. The volunteer event will take place on January 24, 2025, with 200 volunteers participating. Internal and external partners will support the initiative, which features lunch bag assembly, a keynote luncheon, and a certificate ceremony, recognizing the participation and contributions of volunteers and partners in the MLK Day of Service.
- Frostburg State University - The event, organized by Frostburg State University's ASTAR AmeriCorps program, celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy through community service. Scheduled for January 20, 2025, it involves 200 volunteers and 10 community partners creating 100 blankets, pillows, and thank-you cards for local agencies. Partners include the United Way of Frederick County, Hood College, and the Asian American Center. This hands-on event emphasizes unity and service, with participants ranging from elementary students to senior volunteers, college teams, and church groups. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Frederick, MD, will host the event.
- Goldey-Beacom College – Organized by the Civic and Community Service Office, GBC's initiative aims to create a lasting service tradition on January 20, 2025. The event involves 350 community members and students in projects like neighborhood cleanups, soup kitchens, house builds, and more, benefiting underserved populations. Key partners include West End Grows Together, Habitat for Humanity, and the Ronald McDonald House. Activities also feature reflection sessions and a Poetry Party showcasing Black culture and JEDI themes. The initiative leverages strong community ties and past successes to expand impact and foster deeper student engagement.
- Goucher College - Goucher College's first MLK Day of Service, held January 13-24, 2025, will feature 10 on-campus, off-campus, and asynchronous activities benefiting Baltimore nonprofits like Our Daily Bread, & Blue Water Baltimore. The Community-Based Learning Office, supported by volunteer captains and student leaders, coordinates events, including intergenerational service with Edenwald Retirement Community. Activities address food security, housing, and environmental sustainability, while donation drives collect essentials like diapers, food, and clothing. The initiative, engaging 2,000+ people, exemplifies Goucher's commitment to community partnership and experiential learning.
- The Catholic University of America - Engaging 700 volunteers and anticipating 20 Community Partners at its MLK, Jr. Day of Service event, The Catholic University of America will make and deliver sandwiches and winter kits to be distributed to the unhoused population around the city. Nearly all athletic teams and student organization's will be contacted to galvanize student volunteers for this project taking place on January 19, 2025.
- The George Washington University - The Nashman Center for Civic Engagement and Public Serve plans to host its annual and longstanding Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service and Leadership on Saturday, January 18. This GW tradition brings together students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members for a day of service to honor Dr. King On the morning of King Day, service participants will gather for an opening program and hear from speakers about Dr. King’s values and the importance of service. Past keynote speakers include author Clint Smith, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, and AmeriCorps CEO Michael Smith. Groups are dismissed from the morning program to pick up lunch and travel to a service site with an upperclassman student leader. This project will engage 750 student and community volunteers serving in 15-20 community organizations.
- University of the District of Columbia- UDC's Political Science program will work with urban communities and engage approximately 50 volunteers who will gather together to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The event will take place in the community on January 20, 2025.
About Transform Mid-Atlantic
Transform Mid-Atlantic is a non-profit membership association of public, private, 2- and 4-year colleges and universities, including many HBCUs and minority serving institutions. Transform Mid-Atlantic provides leadership to colleges and universities in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Delaware by advocating, supporting, and encouraging institutional participation in academic and co-curricular based public service and civic engagement programs.
About the Partnership Alliance
Transform Mid-Atlantic is connected to a vibrant network of similar state and regional place-based organizations across the country. This group of organizations, named the Partnership Alliance, is dedicated to supporting the public purposes of higher education and community engagement nationally through a robust and diverse array of programs, initiatives, and events. As a member campus of Transform Mid-Atlantic, you and other stakeholders on your campus have discounted and, at times, free access to programs, conferences, workshops, and events offered by Partnership Alliance member organizations.