Honoring and inspiring the American spirit of service
Celebrating 250 years of service & beyond
The spirit of service has always been fundamental to our national character and essential to our democracy. In 2026, America will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, providing an ideal opportunity to celebrate the American spirit of service — a spirit so powerfully expressed in the closing words of the Declaration of Independence itself.
250 & Beyond is a national initiative, led by a coalition of leading service organizations, to create inspiring, inclusive, and enduring exhibitions to honor service in ALL its forms in communities, schools, libraries, and museums all across the country. It is a call to action, honoring our past, celebrating our present and inspiring our future, helping us respect our differences and transcend our divisions. If our nation is to last another 250 years, we must renew and sustain the American spirit of service among all our people and institutions. Your organization, school, community or you as an individual can be part of this. Sign up to learn how.
Key themes
Past
Honoring the history and lasting legacy of American service, and the role interdependence has played in building our great nation.
Present
Celebrating service as it's happening every day, in every community. Honoring the many groups and individuals who give of themselves to help others and connecting people with how they can participate.
Future
Inspiring the next generation of American leaders, the young people who will pave the way for the next 250 years.
"Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve."
— Martin Luther King Jr.
How to get involved
Communities across the country are creating local exhibitions of service for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Join the movement in celebrating and inspiring service in public spaces and connecting people to ways of getting involved. Be a part of a nationwide launch of exhibitions in a national celebration for volunteer month in April, 2026.
Create a local museum of service
On October 9, 2024 hundreds of leaders in service from across the country joined the National Service Symposium. This hybrid event featured inspirational speakers and panels including:
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Carol Spahn, Director, Peace Corps
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Michael Smith, CEO, AmeriCorps
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Koby Langley, Division Vice President, American Red Cross
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Jennifer Sirangelo, CEO, Points of Light
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Rosie Rios, Chair, America 250
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and many more.
Attend the Service Symposium
Stay in touch
Join the conversation, and stay up to date on the 250 & Beyond celebrations. Be the first to hear about webinars, communities of practice, stories, new tools and resources to honor the American spirit of service.
About the organizing partners
The National Museum and Center for Service
A national organization developing a truly national museum and center dedicated to honoring and inspiring service in ALL its forms.
Independent Sector
The only national membership organization that brings together a diverse community of changemakers, nonprofits, foundations, and corporations working to strengthen civil society and ensure all people in the United States thrive.
Thank you
A special thank you to the following organizations who came together as a part of the 250 & Beyond Symposium Planning process:
AARP Foundation, American Association for State and Local History, American Institute of Graphic Arts, America's Service Commissions, California Volunteers, Campus Compact, Interfaith America, Karsh Institute of Democracy, Made By Us, National Council for Social Studies, National Youth Leadership Council, Partnership for Public Service, PBS Books, Peace Corps Foundation, Serve Colorado, The Volcker Alliance, Urban Libraries Council, Washington State Historical Society, WETA
The National Museum and Center for Service and Independent Sector are registered 501(c)(3) organizations.
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