America’s Service Commissions backs launch of Service United

America’s Service Commissions welcomed the launch of Service United, a National Governors Association chair’s initiative led by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, alongside the Service United Fund. The group says the effort could expand service opportunities, strengthen communities and connect more Americans to skills, credentials and career pathways.

Why it matters: - Service United aims to position service as a tool for expanding opportunity, not just volunteerism. - The initiative is designed to support education, workforce development, public health, mental health, disaster response and civic engagement. - America’s Service Commissions says state service commissions can help turn that vision into local programs with measurable impact.

What happened: - America’s Service Commissions on Aug. 1 welcomed the launch of Service United and the accompanying Service United Fund. - Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced the initiative during the National Governors Association Summer Meeting. - The launch brought together governors, philanthropists, businesses, educators and community groups around the theme “Service from All, Opportunities for All.” - The launch panel included John Kelly, Governor Kevin Stitt, Carnegie’s Dan Vallone and Kaiser Permanente Chief Health Officer Dr. Bechara Choucair.

The details: - The Service United Fund includes philanthropic commitments from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation and the Schultz Family Foundation. - Those commitments are intended to expand access to service opportunities and support innovative service models nationwide. - America’s Service Commissions represents the nation’s 52 state and territorial service commissions. - The network operates in every state and territory and helps align federal, state, local, philanthropic and private-sector resources. - State and territorial service commissions administer more than 80% of federal AmeriCorps funds. - The commissions also support tutoring, public health, youth mental health, conservation and workforce development programs. - John Kelly, incoming CEO of America’s Service Commissions, said service can build skills, professional networks and purpose while helping communities address urgent needs. - Chris Bugbee, chair of America’s Service Commissions and CEO of the OneStar Foundation in Texas, said commissions are positioned to connect governors, employers, educators, philanthropy and community organizations. - Kelly said service can also help people earn industry-recognized credentials and gain skills employers want. - America’s Service Commissions said state commissions have spent decades pioneering service initiatives, strengthening AmeriCorps programs and building public-private partnerships. - More information is available at Service United Fund and Find your state service commission.

Between the lines: - The messaging reflects a broader push to frame service as workforce development and civic infrastructure. - The initiative also signals growing cross-sector interest in using service programs to solve practical community problems. - The emphasis on state commissions suggests the launch will rely on existing local networks rather than a new stand-alone system.

What's next: - America’s Service Commissions said it will work with Governor Moore, other governors, philanthropic partners, employers, educational institutions and community organizations to advance Service United. - The next phase will likely focus on expanding participation and scaling service models through state-level partners. - The group said the goal is to widen access to service and help more Americans serve and succeed.

The bottom line: - Service United is being positioned as both a civic initiative and an opportunity strategy, with state service commissions central to execution.