Tens of thousands of AmeriCorps members serving communities across the United States were abruptly discharged this month—losing not only their modest living allowances and benefits, but also their opportunity to serve their country through national service.
But the devastating personal loss felt by those serving is only part of the story.
As a public-private partnership that combines federal investment with private sector support, AmeriCorps is a proven catalyst for community impact. It fuels the work of some of our country’s most respected nonprofits and faith-based organizations. With recent funding cuts, many of these groups—working in public schools, natural disaster response, veterans’ services, federal land stewardship, and food access for children—are now being forced to suspend or shut down vital programs.
These reductions are already being felt across all fifty states, affecting not just AmeriCorps but also partner organizations such as Teach For America, City Year, Notre Dame Mission Volunteers, Boys and Girls Clubs, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Public Allies, and hundreds more community organizations and state service commissions. AmeriCorps has helped build a national service infrastructure that is deeply embedded in community problem-solving.
These cuts risk dismantling that infrastructure—jeopardizing programs that provide tutors for rural students, support for disaster survivors, food for struggling families, and services for veterans. The impact is real, immediate, and visible in communities nationwide.
We remain committed to working with the Administration and Congress to ensure the continuation and strengthening of these programs. Together, we can preserve the essential role AmeriCorps plays in meeting community needs and expanding opportunities for Americans to serve.
Signed by:
Jim Balfanz, CEO, City Year, Inc.
Kristen Bennett, CEO, Service Year Alliance
Chris Bugbee, President and CEO, OneStar Foundation
AnnMaura Connolly, President, Voices for National Service
Serita Cox, CEO and Co-Founder, iFoster, Inc.
Michael Duffy, President, GO Tutor Corps
Curt Ellis, Co-Founder and CEO, FoodCorps
Kaira Esgate, CEO, America’s Service Commissions
Janay Eustace, President and CEO, The Child Abuse Prevention Center
Marc Freedman, Co-CEO, CoGenerate
Dreama Gentry, CEO, Partners for Rural Impact
Michael Lynch, Co-Founder and CEO, Improve Your Tomorrow, Inc.
Vince Marigna, CEO, Breakthrough Collaborative
Beth McGuinness, CEO, Massachusetts Service Alliance
Theodore Miles, Executive Director, Notre Dame Mission Volunteers
Jonas Mok, CEO, Bay Area Community Resources
Eunice Lin Nichols, Co-CEO, CoGenerate
Mike O’Brien, CEO, America’s Promise Alliance
David Paine, President and Co-Founder, 9/11 Day
Michael Pugh, CEO, Local Initiatives Support Corporation
Jonathan Reckford, CEO, Habitat for Humanity International
Crystal Rountree, CEO, Jumpstart for Young Children
Scott Segerstrom, Executive Director, Colorado Youth Corps Association
Jennifer Sirangelo, President and CEO, Points of Light Foundation
Aneesh Sohoni, CEO, Teach For America
Amy Sovocool, CEO, Conservation Legacy
Jenise Terrell, CEO, Public Allies
Adeola Whitney, CEO, Reading Partners