President signs the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act

On April 21, President Obama signed a historic expansion of national service programs, the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, into law. Click here to learn what this new legislation will do to improve and expand national and community service programs, and strengthen the infrastructure for volunteerism within the nonprofit community.

Click here to see how local nonprofits played a part.

Congress Passes the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act

Following prompt Senate action last week, the House passed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, with the Baucus-Grassley Nonprofit Capacity Building Amendment incorporated into the bill, on March 31. Thank you to everyone who picked up the phone in support of these measures!

Click here to learn more about the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act and the Nonprofit Capacity Building Amendment.

Click here to find out more on earlier action.

Senate Passes the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act with Nonprofit Capacity Building Amendment

Congratulations – You did it! You helped make history by placing the phone calls to your Senators. Late Thursday, the Senate – on a vote of 79-19 – passed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, including the Baucus-Grassley amendment to establish a Nonprofit Capacity Building Program.

Our work is not quite done, however. We need you to take two final actions.

First, the House of Representatives will be voting on this Monday, so please call your member of Congress to let them know you are a constituent who wants them to VOTE YES on HR 1388, the Serve America Act. Click here for quick access to the phone number of your U.S. Representative.

Second, please contact your Senators to thank them for their vote in support of this bill. (Click here for a listing of the 79 who voted yes, the third grouping on this link provides a complete listing by state). Let them know you are proud of their actions, which led to a triumph for our democracy because the Senate demonstrated a true spirit of bipartisanship. Tell them you appreciated seeing America’s elected officials working together on a bipartisan basis to actually solve problems.

Again, congratulations on a job well done, and thank you for your role in making American history.

Click here to learn more about the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act and the Nonprofit Capacity Building Amendment.

Click here to find out more on earlier action.