Every day, Americans from all walks of life give of themselves to help others at home and all around the globe.
But right now, there is no physical space anywhere in our nation to honor and tell the story of service in all its forms.
The National Museum and Center for Service changes that by creating exhibits, experiences, and partnerships that publicly and prominently honor service in every school and community in America and, ultimately, in a signature space near the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Mission
To inspire hope and connection by making service to others visible in all its forms.
Vision
A nation united through service.
Why
In a time when many feel lonely or divided, service brings us together around shared values and actions that benefit the greater good. Oftentimes those actions are invisible in our communities.
We know that when people see others engaged in acts of kindness and generosity, they are more likely to become involved themselves. And when people participate, they tend to lead happier, healthier, and longer lives.
This is why we believe all forms of service should be celebrated, visible, and valued in every school and community across our nation, strengthening our social fabric and bridging our divides.
How
We are creating the first truly national museum that lives within our schools and communities, turning everyday acts of service into inspiring exhibits and experiences.
Community and campus exhibits
We provide free resources so any town or school can create their own museums of service.
National partnerships
We collaborate with nonprofit, public, and private organizations to strengthen the culture of service in communities across the country, and lead new ways of giving back.
A national home
We’re creating a permanent home in Washington, D.C., bringing communities together, celebrating service and driving social innovation. Showing the world that service to others is a core part of our American values.
Museums in action
History
From the beginning, service to the greater good has been central to the American character and an essential core of any democracy.
Indeed, the Declaration of Independence concludes with perhaps the most powerful call to service ever written: “We mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.”
Americans are at their very best when they engage in service — as volunteers, in their work, or through charitable giving. Service has the unique power to bring people together around the common good.
The NMCFS began as a vision of Congressman Brian Baird (WA-03). Everywhere he went, in local communities and around the world, Brian met people giving of themselves to help others — rescuing people from disasters, treating diseases, feeding the hungry, teaching children, evacuating refugees, as first responders and in countless other ways.
The courage, compassion, and generosity of such people is remarkable, but there has been no place in our nation’s capital or any other community where we prominently and publicly honor service in all its many forms. To fill that void, the NMCFS was conceived — dedicated to inspiring and unifying our nation around our shared value of service.
The National Museum and Center for Service will be the first of its kind — a truly national museum that lives in the heart of every community, with a central home in our Nation’s capital. Reminding Americans every day about who we are, when we are at our very best.
