FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ranit Schmelzer at ranit@schmelzerstrategies.com
New Legal Action to Force Release of Withheld AmeriCorps Funds
WASHINGTON, DC (July 25, 2025) – Yesterday, a coalition of 23 state attorneys general, and the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania, expanded their legal challenge to include the Office of Management and Budget (OMB),which is withholding Congressionally appropriated funds from approved AmeriCorps programs.
“More than 180 AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors programs have been approved for funding but they are unable to provide critically needed services to their communities until the Office of Management and Budget releases the approximately $200 million they are withholding,” said AnnMaura Connolly, President of Voices for National Service. “This delay means fewer AmeriCorps members in classrooms, fewer hands helping disaster victims, and fewer seniors getting to their medical appointments. Lives are being disrupted and communities are being shortchanged.”
The total amount of AmeriCorps funds being held back by OMB is estimated to be close to $200 million –threatening the survival of the AmeriCorps programs and the wellbeing of those who depend on their services.
A court ruling in June reinstated hundreds of canceled AmeriCorps programs and barred the agency from imposing similar cuts without formal rulemaking.
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Voices for National Service empowers citizens to solve pressing community problems with unique local solutions by elevating AmeriCorps. Founded in 2003, Voices for National Service has built strong bipartisan support for national service programs, which generate $17 in benefits to the United States for every tax dollar invested. AmeriCorps annually enables 200,000 Americans to serve their country and community in public-private partnerships with local nonprofit, faith-based, and community organizations.