§8303 Office of Volunteers for Prosperity

Summary

Runs a program that helps skilled Americans volunteer abroad and pays part of their travel and living costs through matching grants called VfPServe. It connects skilled people with nonprofits, helps U.S. nonprofits recruit and manage volunteers, gives recognition, finds resources and opportunities, encourages companies to set up volunteer programs, and promotes skilled volunteer work to improve global health and prosperity. The program aims at nine goals, including eliminating extreme poverty, reducing hunger and child deaths, increasing clean water and education, fighting diseases like HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis, supporting girls’ education and women’s independence, creating sustainable businesses, and expanding access to information technology. Pays matching grants to eligible organizations whose members have relevant skills, only if the group matches each grant dollar. The nonprofit must certify it does not discriminate on account of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, political affiliation, or beliefs before an individual can get a stipend. Grant-supported service cannot directly benefit for-profit businesses, labor unions, partisan political groups, or religious groups for proselytizing or worship. USAID provides the money under section 8304, supervises use of funds, and the office must coordinate with other efforts and report yearly to Congress.