Urge Congress to Protect the Federal Investment in AmeriCorps

Urge Congress to Protect the Federal Investment in AmeriCorps

For the last three decades, AmeriCorps members have responded to our country’s most immediate and critical needs. They are the “people power” that local nonprofit, faith-based, and community organizations rely on to deliver services and make a difference in local communities. While helping others, AmeriCorps members gain in-demand job skills and complete their service with increased employability and pathways to higher education, preparing a cohort of Americans to succeed in the workforce.

Each year, roughly 75,000 AmeriCorps members and 140,000 AmeriCorps Seniors address locally-determined needs in rural and urban communities across all 50 states, such as responding to natural disasters, tutoring students, combatting hunger and homelessness, connecting veterans to services, fighting the opioid epidemic, and much more. 

The majority of AmeriCorps State and National funding is administered by states, not the federal government, to ensure governors – and state priorities – are front and center. As a public-private partnership, AmeriCorps is a unique example of federal government efficiency and tax dollar stewardship. For every dollar invested, AmeriCorps generates $17 in U.S. wide economic value through private matching funds and the services its members provide to students and seniors, veterans and their families, and disaster victims. It is a critically necessary way to support communities across the country.

We need your help. Urge your lawmakers to support the federal investment in AmeriCorps. 

How Can I Help?

Your members of Congress and the White House are engaged in challenging debate regarding the federal budget and what the country should invest in.  If you believe AmeriCorps is a valuable investment, we encourage you to contact your lawmakers and make sure they understand how AmeriCorps members and funding are being leveraged in their district/state to solve locally-determined challenges and priorities.

Join us in calling on Congress to invest in AmeriCorps and service members. This webpage is our “Advocate’s Guide to AmeriCorps and Appropriations.” It will be updated with new and refreshed resources on a rolling basis.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule a call to discuss key messages or engagement opportunities, please email Shanelle Oliver, Director of Advocacy & Outreach, at soliver2@cityyear.org.

The Most Effective Strategies for Engaging with Congress

It is up to us to convince our lawmakers that funding for AmeriCorps is more than nice, it’s essential. We encourage you to look for every opportunity to communicate the impact of your service program through direct engagement with your legislators, which could include in-district meetings, site visits, special events, editorials, social media, blog posts and more.

Suggested Talking Points and Materials:

It is critical that you proactively emphasize the importance of funding AmeriCorps in all messages.

  • Talking Points and Background: This guide breaks down the current FY25 funding situation and provides talking points that you can customize. (updated February 4, 2025)
  • Tips for Handling Tough Questions: Prior to connecting with your lawmaker, review our tips for how to respond to questions about AmeriCorps funding. (updated February 19, 2025)

Meet with your member(s) of Congress.

When lawmakers have to make difficult budget decisions, it is imperative that they know which federal programs are making a difference in the lives of their constituents. A meeting with your member of Congress or their senior staff is one of the most valuable ways that you can explain the impact your program is having in the communities they represent and the important role AmeriCorps funding plays in those results. Scheduling a meeting with the district/state office is easy and allows you to establish a relationship that can be deepened over time. 

Host a site visit for your member(s) of Congress.

A site visit to a service location is a key way to demonstrate the essential services your organization provides and the real-life benefits of fully funding AmeriCorps. While hosting a site visit for your legislator or their staff requires more planning, it is an excellent way to cultivate a relationship that will benefit your program and AmeriCorps in the long term. 

Write to your Senators and Representatives.

A well-crafted letter from your executive leadership or a local champion(s) is another useful way to communicate AmeriCorps’ unique value to your community and the importance of federal funding. Activating your board members, service partners, community leaders, and/or philanthropic investors and having them sign onto a letter in support of AmeriCorps funding will elevate the impact of your message. 

Write an op-ed or Letter to the Editor.

Members of Congress closely monitor constituent interests and concerns via local news outlets. An opinion piece or letter to the editor that speaks to a broader audience, and underscores AmeriCorps’ vital importance to the local community, is a great way to get their attention and garner public support. 

Share these messages on your communications channels.

You can raise awareness of the value of AmeriCorps – and the importance of fully funding AmeriCorps – through social media, blog posts, email newsletters, and more. Be sure to tag @Voices4Service and use #Stand4Service so we can amplify any posts on social media! 

Additional Resources:

Advocacy Starts at Home – In 2019, Voices for National Service interviewed Brian McNabb, Senator Bill Cassidy’s State Director (R-LA), to discuss the role of the district office, how to cultivate a relationship with district staff, and tips for leveraging an in-district meeting. There are many benefits to beginning your AmeriCorps advocacy in the Congressperson’s district, away from the chaos and distractions of Washington, D.C. Check out this short video series to make the most of engaging with your member of Congress at home, and building a connection based in your local community that will transfer to the halls of the U.S. Capitol.

Fast Action Tools:

Email

Send a customizable email to your members of Congress.

Email Your Lawmakers

Stay Updated

Sign up for email updates on our work to advance AmeriCorps. 

Join Us

Follow @Voices4Service on social media to see what our member organizations are doing and keep up with AmeriCorps legislative issues.

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