Threatening careers of young adults through federal budget reductions in a specific field
In a significant blow to community service programs across the nation, the Trump administration has reduced AmeriCorps funding by approximately 41%, amounting to a loss of around $400 million in grants and the termination of over 32,000 members nationwide [2][4]. This decision has severely impacted various community service initiatives, including tutoring, disaster relief, and environmental projects.
The withholding of substantial appropriated funds for the 2025-2026 school year continues, with about $196 million in AmeriCorps funding currently in limbo. This withholding affects over 40 AmeriCorps-supported programs, some of which are scheduled to start as early as July 1, 2025 [1][3][5]. Although courts have ordered the restoration of some funding and the rehiring of unionized AmeriCorps staff, many programs remain uncertain. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) persists in withholding significant funds, despite legal challenges and court rulings [1][3][5].
Multiple states have filed lawsuits contesting the Trump administration's withholding of funds, arguing that it violates administrative procedures and threatens the survival of critical service programs. Despite legal setbacks, the administration appears to persist with its strategy to reduce AmeriCorps funding, which has drawn criticism for disproportionately affecting programs that serve vulnerable populations, such as youth-of-color mentoring programs [3][4].
One such nonprofit affected by the funding cuts is the Hindman Settlement School in rural Kentucky. The school received about $1 million a year from AmeriCorps for tutoring students with math and reading learning disabilities in more than two dozen schools. Losing this funding means drastically scaling back services at the school [5].
Josh Mullins, senior director of operations at the Hindman Settlement School, expresses confusion about the grant terminations, as the nonprofit regularly passes its audits and shows an average gain of seven months in reading levels among students in its dyslexia intervention program.
The debate in Washington continues regarding the future of AmeriCorps. Federal surveys of AmeriCorps members show that 90% of members joined the national program in part to gain skills that would help them in school and work [6]. For many, AmeriCorps provides a pathway to start a career, as evidenced by Lily Tegner, a chemical engineering graduate who started her career through AmeriCorps [7]. Tegner is now a full-time employee managing the nonprofit's AmeriCorps program.
The potential loss of AmeriCorps is concerning to Tegner, who credits the program for giving her a purpose in life and providing her with a pathway to start a career at the Alaska Afterschool Network [7]. The Alaska Afterschool Network's AmeriCorps funding was terminated, leading to the elimination of three full-time positions and 19 internships.
The Philadelphia Higher Education Network for Neighborhood Development also experienced delays from the national AmeriCorps office in getting members approved for the programs that are still operating due to the administration gutting 85% of the agency's federal staff [3].
As the future of AmeriCorps hangs in the balance, it is essential to continue monitoring the situation and advocating for the restoration of funding to these critical community service programs.
[1] https://www.courthousenews.com/trump-administration-withholding-americorps-funds-violates-law-judge-rules/ [2] https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/22/us/politics/americorps-trump-budget.html [3] https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2020/06/04/americorps-budget-cuts-trump-administration-disproportionately-affect-programs-serve-vulnerable-populations/ [4] https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2020/06/04/americorps-budget-cuts-trump-administration-disproportionately-affect-programs-serve-vulnerable-populations/ [5] https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/22/us/politics/americorps-trump-budget.html [6] https://www.americorps.gov/about/research/impact/americorps-members [7] https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/22/us/politics/americorps-trump-budget.html
- The decrease in AmeriCorps funding for the 2025-2026 school year raises concerns about the future of education-and-self-development and career-development programs.
- Inequality in access to skills-training opportunities may increase due to the Trump administration's strategy to reduce AmeriCorps funding, particularly affecting programs that serve vulnerable populations.
- Personal-finance and budgeting abilities may become a crucial component for individuals seeking to secure jobs in the future, given that federal surveys show 90% of AmeriCorps members joined to gain skills for school and work.
- Innovation in various sectors, including tutoring, environmental projects, and disaster relief, could be compromised as community service projects funded by AmeriCorps are impacted by budget cuts.
- Advocacy for the restoration of AmeriCorps funding is vital to ensuring higher education opportunities, job-search resources, and continued learning and development for both individuals and communities nationwide.
