My Turn: Investing in the common good: Why funders back AmeriCorps

At a time when our country faces increasing inequality, growing instability, and the weakening of social ties, it’s easy to despair at the scale of the challenges. But for those who believe in the power of collective effort, AmeriCorps offers a solution for progress.

Why invest in AmeriCorps, a federal national service program? Well, to put it simply, AmeriCorps works, or AmeriCorps serves to be more precise. Every year, over 200,000 Americans sign up to serve through AmeriCorps, mentoring and tutoring young people, responding to disasters, preserving public lands, addressing hunger and homelessness, and more. AmeriCorps activates community assets, involving local resources and community members directly in addressing community needs. AmeriCorps members come from all backgrounds and find common ground in their passion to serve. They develop the skills to work together toward shared goals, ultimately strengthening the civic fabric of their communities.

As private funders and community partners, we have seen through experience how we can play a critical role in supporting AmeriCorps programs, not only by investing in local implementation but also by helping to innovate, build capacity, and expand impact. It’s well understood that federal dollars can’t solve all the issues we face. But, when leveraged with community investment, together, our efforts are exponentially more effective. One study from Columbia University bears this out: For every $1 invested in AmeriCorps, another $16 is returned to society through better health outcomes, higher earnings, and reduced need for public services. These kinds of returns should spark the interest of any funder, public or private. In Massachusetts, $4.3 million in local resources was contributed by the 17 programs being cut at the direction of DOGE. That represents almost $70 million of outcome benefitting Massachusetts residents removed.

But the deeper possibilities of AmeriCorps are about more than numbers alone. AmeriCorps brings together everyday people of all backgrounds, bridging divides, cultivating leadership, and offering them a chance to connect, learn, contribute, and gain the skills they need to achieve their potential. Moreover, many members experience AmeriCorps as a leadership ladder, building on their service activities to step into future roles as teachers, health care workers, nonprofit leaders, and public servants.

At a moment when the outlook can seem bleak and trust in institutions has eroded, AmeriCorps creates a model for coming together to address shared challenges in the spirit of a common cause. And we invite others, in philanthropy, government, and business, to join us in rejuvenating the heart of America and reinvigorating our commitment to the common good. When we invest in service, it’s not just about programs. We’re directly supporting civic well-being and the next generation of leaders.

In support of the value of service, Megan Burke, President & CEO, Community Foundation of Western MA; Geoff Naunheim, Executive Director, United Way of Franklin & Hampshire Region; Kelsey Thomas, Program Coordinator, UMass Upward Bound; Alison Schoen, Chief Operating Officer, Hope for Youth & Families; James Arana & Julie Lichtenberg, Co-Directors, The Performance Project; Jack Redman, Executive Director, Greenfield Housing Authority; Pamela Young, Department Director, Town of Amherst; Grant Bialiek, RP Coordinator, Frontier Regional School; Deidre Cuffee-Gray, College and Career Advisor, Amherst-Pelham Regional High School; and Phillip Ringwood, Executive Director, DIAL/SELF Youth & Community Services.