FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Apr 24, 2023

Former Building Back Together Leader Joins AmeriCorps

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, AmeriCorps announced the appointment of Danielle Melfi as chief program officer for the federal agency for national service and volunteerism.

Melfi joins AmeriCorps from Building Back Together, a leading nonprofit organization supporting President Biden’s legislative agenda. As the founding executive director, she built an unprecedented advocacy coalition that championed historic legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and raised more than $50 million to build these advocacy campaigns. 

Prior to Melfi’s work with Building Back Together, she served as the Wisconsin state director for President Biden’s 2020 campaign and prior as the assistant secretary for Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. During her tenure at Wisconsin state, Melfi worked to ensure all children were a part of thriving families and communities. She also oversaw the agency’s COVID-19 response efforts, budget, policy and external affairs programs. 

“I am thrilled for Danielle Melfi to join AmeriCorps as our chief program officer. Her years of years of experience leading people, organizations, and movements to strive for transformational change will be an incredible asset to our agency,” said Michael D. Smith, AmeriCorps CEO. 

“I am honored to join AmeriCorps as its new chief program officer,” said Danielle Melfi. “I look forward to joining the AmeriCorps team and the greater national service community as we support AmeriCorps members and volunteers across the country to build thriving families and communities.”

Melfi will develop, maintain and oversee all AmeriCorps programs. Her work will directly align with AmeriCorps goals in the agency’s strategic plan, expanding the impact of programs to continue alleviating poverty and advancing equity with historic American Rescue Plan funding as the agency. Through the American Rescue Plan and President Biden’s budget, AmeriCorps has been able to increase living allowances for members ensuring service is more accessible and inclusive and focus investments on historically underserved communities.

AmeriCorps partners with more than 2,500 community, faith-based, tribal and nonprofit organizations to leverage national service to help solve community challenges. Every year, more than 200,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers and its state and local partners in addressing public health needs, responding to disasters and extreme weather events, and expanding education and economic opportunity in urban and rural areas. 

AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the agency places more than 200,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in intensive service roles; and empowers millions more to serve as long-term, short-term, or one-time volunteers. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.

AmeriCorps offers opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds to be a part of the national service community, grow personally and professionally, and receive benefits for their service. Learn how to get involved at AmeriCorps.gov/serve.