About

We Are Uniting America through Service

We invite individuals to serve alongside each other for the betterment of every community.

Unite

We bridge divides by bringing people together: connecting individuals and organizations to help communities tackle their toughest challenges.

Strengthen

We provide resources and people power to organizations dedicated to the improvement of communities.

Impact

We enrich the lives of those we serve and those who serve.

Lead

We are the only federal agency for community service and volunteerism. We empower an entire ecosystem committed to the betterment of communities across America.

Our Mission

To improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering.

Making Service to Others a Cornerstone of Our National Culture

For decades, we have worked to make service to others an indispensable part of the American experience. Through our nation’s most trying times, AmeriCorps has come together to help those in need.

1964

The VISTA Program Is Created

The Volunteers In Service To America (VISTA) program to help communities combat poverty

1973

The RSVP, Foster Grandparents, and Senior Companions Programs Are Formed

The Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 authorizes the creation of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), as well as the Foster Grandparents and Senior Companions programs

1992

The NCCC Program Is Created

The National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) program is designed to help communities recover from disaster and other critical needs

1993

AmeriCorps Is Created

AmeriCorps, then known as the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), is formed as the government agency for national and community service. AmeriCorps incorporates the VISTA and NCCC programs. AmeriCorps Seniors (then Senior Corps) is created and incorporates Foster Grandparents, RSVP, Senior Companions

1994

Congress Establishes MLK Day as a Day of Service

1994

The First Class of AmeriCorps

20,000 individuals across the country join the first class of AmeriCorps and take the pledge to "Get Things Done for America."

1996

The America Reads Initiative Is Launched to Address 3rd Grade Literacy

The Department of Education partners with AmeriCorps to put trained college students in classrooms to address 3rd grade literacy.

2001

AmeriCorps Volunteers Help New York Address the Devastation of 9/11

2005

AmeriCorps Stands with New Orleans in the Wake of Hurricane Katrina

After Hurricane Katrina devastated a wide swath of communities along the Gulf Coast, AmeriCorps programs begin a recovery response across the region that has continued for more than a decade. Over 40,000 national service participants served nearly 10 million hours and enrolled 650,000 volunteers in the 10 years following the disaster.

2009

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Adds 13,000 AmeriCorps Members to the Program in Response to the Economic Downturn

2009

First September 11th Day of Service and Remembrance Held

Congress designates September 11th as a National Day of Service and Remembrance and charges AmeriCorps with helping to support this effort across the country.

2012

The FEMA Corps Program Is Launched to Strengthen the Nation’s Ability to Respond to Disasters

2013

Making a Commitment to STEM Education

In 2013, AmeriCorps creates a STEM AmeriCorps program to encourage thousands of students in science, technology, engineering, and math learning.

2016

AmeriCorps Is 1M Members Strong

2017

Combatting the Opioid Crisis

To help address the nation’s growing opioid crisis, AmeriCorps significantly increases its support of substance abuse prevention, education, and recovery programming by devoting $27.9 million to opioid-related grants and programming.

2019

25th Anniversary of AmeriCorps

2020

AmeriCorps Steps Up to Support Communities Impacted by COVID-19

Connecting Individuals and Organizations to Help Communities Tackle Their Toughest Challenges.

AmeriCorps sends people power and funding to communities across the country. Disaster response, opioid crisis, education – these are just a few of the causes where AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers have stepped up to strengthen their community.

AmeriCorps

The Best of America

America was founded on a promise of opportunity. When we build stronger communities, we help make this promise a reality, for every individual to succeed. Especially in times of adversity, we find the courage to unite and overcome. Helping our communities prosper, head on and together. It’s what AmeriCorps is built for: bringing all Americans together. Working alongside each other for the betterment of every community. Ensuring that everyone gets the help they need, and the opportunities they deserve. AmeriCorps is your chance to be a part of something bigger.

Fast facts

9.4K

members and volunteers engaged in COVID-19 emergency response

100K+

wellness checks conducted during COVID-19 pandemic

15.6M+

pounds of food collected and distributed during COVID-19 pandemic

Disaster Response

The Opioid Crisis

Disaster response

Hurricane Harvey

What We Do

For decades, we have worked to make service to others an indispensable part of the American experience. Through our nation’s most trying times, AmeriCorps has come together to help those in need.

Our Team

We are uniting America by bringing people together to serve communities. Our agency is made of a team of individuals from different backgrounds and experiences, working as one to strengthen communities in our country.

Serve

Do you want to make an impact in your community and your country? AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers serve with organizations to strengthen communities across our nation.

Find out more

Partner

In need of resources? AmeriCorps is here for you. Every year, we place more than $800 million in funding and more than 200,000 individuals with nonprofit, faith-based, and community organizations.