Saving AmeriCorps: What’s at Stake and Why We Must Act Now

AmeriCorps, an independent federal agency with a $1 billion budget that places over 200,000 people in intensive service roles each year, typically with host nonprofits, was formally established in 1993. For 30 years, it was a firmly bipartisan program. While it was officially launched under President Bill Clinton, a Democrat, it built heavily on the 1990 National and Community Service Act, a program supported by then-President George H. W. Bush, a Republican.

On Friday, April 25, grantees nationwide were told via email that their programs were terminated, effective immediately—a move that eliminated about 41 percent of the agency’s grant funding.

The nonprofit I direct, the Philadelphia Higher Education Network for Neighborhood Development is a group of more than two dozen colleges and universities in the greater Philadelphia area that support community-based service-learning partnerships. Our full-time AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) members, whose service supports anti-poverty efforts, earn $957 biweekly (before taxes) and a $7,395 education award that can be used to pay for college tuition or pay back student loans.

Now much of this work is at risk. When the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) came calling we all knew something terrible would come from this; it was only a matter of time. On April 8, it announced initial restructuring plans to cut AmeriCorps’ workforce by “up to 50 percent or more.” A few days later, agency staff were offered deferred resignations—advocates estimate that at least about a third of the staff (200 of roughly 700) took the offer.

On April 16, most remaining staff were put on indefinite administrative leave. On Friday, April 25, grantees nationwide were told via email that their programs were terminated, effective immediately—a move that eliminated about 41 percent of the agency’s grant funding—because that funding “no longer effectuates agency priorities.” The agency is now estimated to be operating at about 15 percent of its original capacity.

On April 29, 24 states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit challenging these cuts. In the meantime, we are mobilizing our supporters, as well as doing our best to keep the programs we operate intact and support the people affected by the cuts.

What the Cuts Mean to Our Nonprofit

Our nonprofit is better off than some others affected by AmeriCorps cuts. At least so far, our internal VISTA Fellows program was not cut and continues as normal, however, we have suffered cuts to two other programs. The cuts to AmeriCorps programming in Philadelphia and nationwide are devastating.

Here’s what DOGE cuts mean to us:

• We won’t be hiring 15 low-income recent high school graduates into summer-only AmeriCorps positions and providing them with a one-week pre-college boot camp. As a result, there will be 15 fewer staff supporting summer programming for younger students.
• We won’t be hiring 30 high school students into paid summer internships, which provides them with much-needed work experience and financial support.
• About 170 high school students in West Philadelphia will stop getting one-on-one coaching and support for post-secondary readiness.
• Fifteen low-income first-generation college freshmen will lose their near-peer mentors.
• Seven members receiving stipends will end their service on Friday, May 2, and will only receive prorated education awards. They will no longer receive their living stipends or program-provided health insurance.

AmeriCorps members will be left to fend for themselves because they do not qualify for unemployment, although fortunately in Philadelphia there is a locally funded citywide AmeriCorps Emergency Fund and Support Services that provides one-time financial grants to members who are experiencing unexpected financial difficulties. It wasn’t designed to be an unemployment fund, but it may be able to provide some former AmeriCorps members with limited support.

Why Does AmeriCorps Matter?

In the Philadelphia region alone, hundreds of nonprofit organizations rely on AmeriCorps volunteers, whether directly or indirectly. AmeriCorps has been around for over a generation and has some very specific rules and structures. Thus, there is a whole group of nonprofits that were designed around AmeriCorps itself—think City Year, College Possible, or Teach for America.

There is another group of nonprofits that rely primarily on volunteer labor to meet their missions. AmeriCorps members are often the backbone of those agencies. The fact that AmeriCorps members receive stipends and are committed for a specific term provides organizations with greater stability than they have with typical volunteers. Thousands of organizations have been touched by AmeriCorps through individual members placed in their communities. Our VISTA program alone has placed over 200 members in as many organizations in the Philadelphia region over our 12-year history.

In the Philadelphia region alone, hundreds of nonprofit organizations rely on AmeriCorps volunteers, whether directly or indirectly.

Less recognized is the role AmeriCorps plays in developing the future talent pool for the nonprofit and government sectors. My LinkedIn feed is full of mid-career professionals and leaders talking about how AmeriCorps gave them their start.

We always joke that in AmeriCorps the pay is terrible, but the experience can be transformative. Grassroots nonprofits, which often can’t afford to pay seasoned professionals, rely on AmeriCorps members to manage new projects or initiatives. As a result, those members get incredible experience and are often handed responsibilities they wouldn’t otherwise get as entry-level professionals.

What Can We Do?

Honestly, it’s hard to know what can be done. Many of us have seen the writing on the wall since the November 2024 election and certainly since the inauguration of President Donald Trump.

Of course, we are hopeful the lawsuit filed on April 29 will be effective in restoring programs and AmeriCorps staff jobs.

In the meantime, AmeriCorps program directors are engaged in outreach and advocacy. In Pennsylvania, we have met with members of Congress and both of our state’s US Senators, one of whom is an AmeriCorps alumnus. Most lawmakers claim to have their hands tied or at least say that they have little influence on the Trump administration’s actions.

That said, other federal cuts have been reversed with enough public pressure. Voices for National Service, one of the major AmeriCorps advocacy organizations, has an online tool to make it easy to contact your elected officials. And many of you reading this might be AmeriCorps alumni. If so, share your story!

Finally, connect with your AmeriCorps programs in your area. Offer support to their members, whether still in service or recently demobilized. Offer jobs or career counseling. By acting in solidarity, we can work to both defend nonprofits and support the next generation of civil society leadership.