Rockefeller Foundation Gives $2 Million to Help Cities Promote Volunteerism

The application can be found at www.citiesofservice.org and must be received
no later than December 15, 2009. The awards will be announced by Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

About the Rockefeller Foundation
The Rockefeller Foundation works around the world to ensure that more
individuals, institutions, and communities can tap into growth and opportunity
while strengthening resistance to risks and challenges, affirming its founding
mission to "promote the well-being" of humanity. The Foundation today supports initiatives to mobilize an agricultural revolution in sub-Saharan Africa, bolster economic security for American workers, inform more equitable, sustainable transportation policies in the United States, assure access to affordable, high-quality health systems in developing countries, and help vulnerable communities cope with the impacts of imminent climate change.

About Cities of Service
Founded in New York City on September 10, 2009, Cities of Service is a
bipartisan coalition of mayors who have answered the historic Edward M.
Kennedy Serve America Act's call to action. Cities -- often at the front lines
of our nation's most pressing challenges - are perfectly positioned to work
together to engage millions more volunteers in service and develop strategies
to increase the amount and impact of local service efforts. Coalition members,
by signing a Declaration of Service, will work together to lead a multi-year
effort to expand community service and volunteerism by:

-- Developing a comprehensive service plan and a coordinated strategy
focused on matching volunteers and established community partners to
the areas of greatest local need;
-- Working with other mayors and elected officials to advance strategies
and best practices that accelerate the service movement and produce
measurable results;
-- Encouraging other mayors to join this national effort to engage our
citizens; and
-- Ensuring that the voice of cities is heard in federal legislative,
policy, and program discussions related to service, which will help
the country achieve the ambitious goals of the Serve America Act.