James Halts AmeriCorps Funding Dismantling

New York Attorney General Letitia James has scored a decisive win by halting the dismantling of AmeriCorps programs. The federal government is now restoring funding, totaling over $184 million, including $14.7M for New York projects.

James and a coalition of 24 states filed a lawsuit in April after the Trump administration canceled nearly 80 percent of AmeriCorps grants and placed staff on administrative leave. The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) agreed to release the funds, securing payment for current volunteers and ensuring projects will continue into the next fiscal year.

AmeriCorps, since 1993, has supported over 200,000 unpaid members serving in communities across the nation, providing vital services like disaster relief, anti-poverty efforts, education, health care, and environmental protection. In New York alone, AmeriCorps members serve at more than 300 locations, offering tutoring, legal aid, veterans’ support, and addiction services.

In June, James and the coalition secured a court order against the administration’s closure policies and for the reinstatement of volunteers. Their amended lawsuit against OMB led to the full release of previously withheld funds, safeguarding service programs from further cuts.

Joining James in this fight were attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia, as well as Kentucky and Pennsylvania.