America's Service Commissions

Overview

America's Service Commissions (ASC) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan association that represents and promotes the 52 state service commissions across the United States, as well as their AmeriCorps State and Volunteer Generation Fund programs. Based in Washington, D.C., ASC is instrumental in advancing the nation's service movement by administering over 75% of federal AmeriCorps funds. The organization strives to address community needs through service and volunteerism and is led by Kaira Esgate, its CEO. ASC supports leadership and service across the states, contributing significantly to the national community service infrastructure.

Recent Developments

October 31, 2024: ASC announced that it is accepting entries for its Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) Directory, encouraging state commissions to participate actively in national service evolution.
September 29, 2023: The organization unveiled its new Board of Directors and officers for the 2023-2024 term. This new leadership is expected to enhance the commission's strategic guidance and implementation of service programs.
July 25, 2024: ASC facilitated the call for proposals for the National Service Training events set for 2025, underlining the continuous efforts to integrate national service projects and ideas.
May 6, 2024: ASC received a $500,000 grant from The Allstate Foundation to expand youth-led service initiatives, underscoring its commitment to supporting young leaders in service and community building.
April 2024: The organization recognized Volunteer Month in Minnesota, celebrating significant volunteer contributions, a gesture that exemplifies ASC's commitment to cultivating volunteer initiatives among youth and communities.
Strategic Extension: In 2023, ASC decided to extend their strategic plan, originally scheduled to expire in 2023, through the end of 2024. This plan focuses on increasing commission capacity, enhancing public policy influence, and strengthening the national service ecosystem.
Financial Goals: ASC set ambitious financial growth goals, aiming to increase its annual income to $2.8 million by 2024, emphasizing the organization's goal to sustain and expand its influence and service capabilities.

Attribute	Information
Founding Date	Not specified
Headquarters	Washington, D.C., United States
Founders	Not specified
Revenue	Target of $2.8 million by 2024
Profits	Not specified
Key Investors	The Allstate Foundation, Mott Foundation
Industry	Nonprofit, Public Service
Number of Employees	Not specified

Early History

America's Service Commissions was established as a unified body to represent the localized state service commissions across the country. Initially focused on administering federal funds effectively through these bodies, ASC has evolved into a national leader advocating for service and volunteerism. The organization plays a critical role in the development and implementation of service strategies that address national challenges through a localized approach. Over time, it became instrumental in distributing AmeriCorps funds, ensuring that state commissions have the resources and leadership necessary to fulfill community service needs efficiently.

Company Profile and Achievements

America's Service Commissions serves as a national association that supports and enhances the capacity of state service commissions through federal funding, advocacy, and strategic initiatives. Over the years, ASC has achieved significant milestones including:

Increased Federal Funding: ASC has successfully advocated for increased federal funding, targeting $31 million by 2025 to support state service commissions.
Capacity Building: The organization works on increasing the leadership abilities and capacities of the commissions to enhance service delivery capabilities.
Strategic Partnerships: ASC partners with philanthropic foundations like The Allstate Foundation and the Mott Foundation to support youth-led service initiatives and expand their impact.
Youth Engagement: They have used grants and partnerships to engage young people in service learning, thus positioning young volunteers as pivotal in community improvement efforts.

Current Operations and Market Position

Currently, America's Service Commissions stands as a pivotal institution in the public service sector, driving volunteerism and service across the U.S. The organization prides itself on facilitating critical funding and strategic support to state commissions, thus amplifying the impact of service programs nationwide. ASC's strategic initiatives include expanding its financial model, increasing public policy influence, and enhancing state commissions' capacity to meet community needs. The current leadership, with a fresh slate of directors, is set on steering the organization through the evolving landscape of national service, ensuring continuous impact and advocacy.

Conclusion

America's Service Commissions plays a crucial role in the national service ecosystem as it champions volunteerism and community engagement across the United States. Through strategic partnerships, innovative funding approaches, and a keen focus on leadership development among state commissions, ASC has positioned itself as a critical player in implementing effective and impactful service programs. As it enters new phases of strategic development with a robust financial model and policy influence, ASC is poised to enhance its contributions to the nation's service movement, ensuring sustained engagement and empowerment for future generations of volunteers.