Public Comments

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September 18, 2026
AmeriCorps Agency Colleagues,
Thank you for the opportunity to provide comment on the President’s Volunteer Service Award. This
comment is provided by America’s Service Commissions (ASC), the association of the 52 Governor
designated state service commissions, which administer 75% of AmeriCorps State and National funding
and support an ethic of service in their states and territories. Additionally, several commissions and
many of their local partners serve as certifying organizations for the President’s Volunteer Service
Award.
We are hopeful that this public comment opportunity is not simply a procedural task but may be a
signal that the PVSA is being resumed. This comment should be viewed as encouragement to the
AmeriCorps Agency to bring the PVSA off pause and relaunch this initiative centered around
recognizing everyday Americans serving their neighbors.
The President’s Volunteer Service Award is one avenue to shine a light on to the agency’s mission to
improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering
by recognizing every day Americans serving Americans in communities across the country.
We encourage the agency to consider the following renovations to the President’s Volunteer Service
Award:
• High participation costs – the PVSA may be cost prohibitive to some organizations that are
interested in acting as certifying organizations.
• Consider implications of the sudden and lengthy pause period on folks working towards the
lifetime award.
• Remain cognizant of the burden on certifying organizations, community organizations, and the
individuals themselves if looking to further renovate the process, materials, or other PVSArelated mechanisms.
• We encourage an update the broader field on the status of the PVSA program and when the
pause may be lifted.
ASC and the state service commission network welcome the opportunity to discuss this comment
and the President’s Volunteer Service Award further. Don’t hesitate to reach me at
[email protected] with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Alli Zuel, CVA
Network & Volunteer Engagement Manager
America’s Service Commissions (ASC)