Michael D. Smith’s vision for national service in America and how philanthropy can support it
In late 2021, Michael D. Smith was confirmed as the new CEO of AmeriCorps, the federal agency that administers a variety of national service programs and, in many ways, stewards the vision of service for our country. We were especially thrilled about this appointment, as Michael’s history with PACE runs deep. He worked at the Case Foundation which helped launch PACE, and Michael served on the PACE Board for several years before departing to run the Social Innovation Fund and then moving into the Obama White House to lead the My Brother’s Keeper initiative. Eventually, he transitioned with that initiative to the Obama Foundation until his appointment by President Biden to lead AmeriCorps.
It’s worth noting, too, that PACE got its start under the name Grantmakers Forum for Community and National Service around the time AmeriCorps was being created. This topic will always be a core part of PACE’s DNA and our vision for democracy and civic life, which is why we were thrilled to host two events with Michael to hear more about his vision for national service in America and to understand what role philanthropy can play to support it.
On May 16, the Council on Foundations and PACE hosted a webinar entitled “Uniting Americans through Service: The Power of AmeriCorps and Philanthropy Working in Partnership.” This was Michael’s first national appearance with philanthropy in his new role and featured him in conversation with Tonya Allen, Council on Foundations Board Chair and President of the McKnight Foundation. On May 18, Michael joined the PACE Members Meeting in Washington, D.C., where he and PACE CEO Kristen Cambell hosted a follow-on conversation with philanthropists, focusing on implications of national service for the advancement of racial equity and civic engagement.
Michael started both events by giving an overview of the AmeriCorps structure and scope and then described his vision for AmeriCorps’ next chapter. His priorities include 1) a laser focus on measurable impact, 2) continuing to ensure that AmeriCorps reflects the diversity of the country, 3) and promoting service as part of the solution to the nation’s polarization. He articulated ways that philanthropy could partner with AmeriCorps towards these goals, including directing resources to reduce barriers for young people to serve (e.g. housing, transportation, education support, etc), reducing barriers for grantee organizations, supporting innovation, funding fellowships, and addressing recruitment challenges by helping to increase the stipend and benefits for participants. Michael noted that AmeriCorps has a 1.2 million member alumni base that can also be mobilized to promote national service and a wide range of civic activities, and resources are needed to explore how to leverage and integrate that asset more fully.
Additionally, both conversations intentionally explored how national service can contribute to racial equity. Michael identified two main drivers of change through AmeriCorps programs: increasing a diverse talent pipeline of people who can lead in communities, government, and across sectors, and funding and leading programs in communities that specifically work on racial equity at the local level. Michael noted that service builds more active citizens who will become change-makers across the country.
Both discussions also illuminated how service can be a pathway to bridging social and economic divides as well as to motivating people to address inequities through root cause analysis and working towards systemic solutions. AmeriCorps volunteers are deeply embedded in the communities they serve, providing opportunities to multiply resources and increase impact for social change on the local level. Some volunteers serve in their own communities, while others are embedded in communities that need additional talent. In both cases, volunteers strive to be part of the community and to listen first before addressing the needs of the people they serve. More research is needed to understand exactly how it is that service contributes to bridge-building and diverse talent pipelines. One initial line of inquiry is the way in which service allows people to transcend partisan divides in order to invest in democracy and the civic health and infrastructure of local communities.
National service was initially designed to meet the urgent unmet needs of people across the country. Now there is broad recognition that national service is also an important leadership development and democracy-building activity. People who serve in AmeriCorps today will continue to address community needs, but they will also gain valuable personal and professional development experiences, learn how to work effectively with many different kinds of people, and become more active and informed citizens. We thank Michael for his leadership and vision to advance national service in America today. It’s needed, and we look forward to continuing to serve as partners.
