Funding resumes for AmeriCorps after a series of heated legal battles

Following months of legal challenges, funding and grants are beginning to resume for the AmeriCorps program across the US.

According to the Associated Press, on June 5, US District Judge Deborah L. Boardman granted a temporary block on the cancellation of funding and grants for AmeriCorps. Boardman also ruled that all AmeriCorps NCCC members who were terminated early should be reinstated, if they are willing and able.

Judge Boardman’s ruling is only in effect for the states that sued the Trump administration in April.

Just weeks prior to Boardman’s ruling, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) placed around 85% of the AmeriCorps programs federal staff on paid administrative leave. Additionally, DOGE cut around $400 million in AmeriCorps grants.

The decision to resume funding aims to restore around 80% of the agency’s cut grants. It also ensures that volunteers and staff will be paid for the projects they worked on in 2025, a release from the Attorney General of New York stated.

In addition, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) plans to release more than $185 million in funding for AmeriCorps projects across the nation.

According to a PA Commonwealth press release, 25 states and the District of Columbia joined together to allege that the OMB was continuing to withhold the $185 million after Judge Boardman’s preliminary injunction.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is among the states that challenged the Trump administrations cutting of funds and grants for AmeriCorps. Prior to the cuts, AmeriCorps had approved $6 million in support for PA service and volunteer programs, according to the same Commonwealth press release.

On Sept. 3, PA Governor Josh Shapiro tweeted, “After we won in court against the Trump Administration following their unlawful decision to dismantle AmeriCorps programs, the OMB is finally releasing the $6 million owed to Pennsylvania to help our seniors, support our schools, and more.”