FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ranit Schmelzer at ranit@schmelzerstrategies.com
Senate Appropriations Bill Provides Near-Level Funding for AmeriCorps
WASHINGTON, DC (July 31, 2025) – Today, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved the fiscal year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies bill. The spending package, which was supported by both Republicans and Democrats on the committee, provides near-level funding for the AmeriCorps Agency compared to fiscal year 2025 levels.
“With needs rising dramatically across the country, this is the moment to protect our investment in AmeriCorps—the people power behind thousands of community and faith-based organizations meeting urgent, local challenges,” said AnnMaura Connolly, President of Voices for National Service. “We’re encouraged by the Senate Appropriations Committee’s bipartisan agreement to protect AmeriCorps funding. It’s a positive signal, and we deeply appreciate Chairwoman Capito and Ranking Member Baldwin’s leadership in securing that support.”
The Senate committee’s approved funding comes at a critical time for AmeriCorps. In April 2025, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) canceled nearly $400 million in AmeriCorps grants, equivalent to 41% of the agency’s 2025 budget, and terminated the service of more than 32,000 AmeriCorps members and volunteers nationwide. Services ranging from disaster relief to rural education, health outreach, environmental conservation, and veterans support have been disrupted, with small nonprofits and community-based organizations scrambling to maintain operations. Meanwhile, at least two dozen states and the District of Columbia have filed legal challenges to restore federal funding, and a federal judge has ordered reinstatement in affected states—but many organizations remain in limbo as millions of dollars in appropriated funds are still withheld by OMB.
Every year, AmeriCorps enrolls more than 200,000 individuals in nonprofit, faith-based, and local organizations. These men and women make a tremendous difference in communities across America, from equipping young people and returning veterans with job training and marketable skills in high-demand sectors to playing a crucial role in disaster response and recovery.
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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.