The Serve America Act (S. 277) is a Senate bill that would triple the number of volunteers in national service programs like AmeriCorps to 250,000 by 2013, expand service opportunities for people of all ages, create several new service programs, and support innovation in the nonprofit sector by social entrepreneurs focused on solving national problems.  A vote on the Act, sponsored by Sens. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass) and Oren Hatch (R-Utah) and endorsed by President Obama, is expected this week.

Read a summary of the Serve America Act here.

Read Independent Sector's Sample Letter in support of the Act here.

On March 19, 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the similarly themed Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education ("GIVE") Act (H.R. 1388) by a vote of 321-105. 

Read a summary of the GIVE Act here and the Volunteer Generation Fund amendment here.

Read National Service Bill Passes House of Representatives in The Nonprofit Times here.