Information for Policymakers Information for Nonprofits Policy Issues About MNA Public Policy

Policy Portal

Issue #275
March 25, 2009

Keep It Coming! Voice Your Support for the Serve America Act!

Over the last week and a half, we have sent out several action alerts asking you to contact your members of Congress to urge their support of national service through adoption of the GIVE and Serve America Acts. Many of you have picked up the phone and called your representatives in Washington; others have sent emails and faxes. THANK YOU for voicing your support for this important legislation!

We are down to the wire. If you have not already done so, please contact the White House and the offices of your U.S. Senators and urge them to support national service by supporting the Serve America Act. It is critical that as many people as possible call these offices in order to show the broad support that exists for national service.

Please act today. THANK YOU!

Contact your Senators NOW to deliver this simple message:

A. The Senate should ADOPT the Baucus-Grassley Nonprofit Capacity Building amendment to the Serve America Act.

The Nonprofit Capacity Building amendment will help community-based nonprofits get needed training and assistance through an innovative matching grant program. (For details, visit the NCN website.)

B. The Senate should PASS the Serve America Act.

The Serve America Act (S.277) would expand the number of AmeriCorps members, create new service opportunities, and make other resources available to help local communities across the country. (For more information, visit http://www.councilofnonprofits.org/.

C. The Senate should OPPOSE any amendment that would prohobit organizations who participate in national service programs from participating in lobbying and advocacy activities outside of those national service programs.

To help local communities, WE NEED YOU to contact your government officials to deliver the simple message above.

Please make these quick phone calls RIGHT NOW:

1. Call both of your U.S. Senators (Senator Carl Levin: 202-224-6221; Senator Debbie Stabenow: 202-224-4822)

2. Call the White House (which can help influence this in a positive way): (202) 456-1111

Thank you. By lifting our voices together, we can make a difference for our communities.