Raleigh -- September 24, 2026: A coalition of 23 attorneys general and two governors, led by North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson, has finalized a settlement with the federal government that blocks sweeping cuts to AmeriCorps programs and safeguards vital funding nationwide.
The agreement secures key protections for service programs actively engaged in disaster recovery and poverty alleviation, including critical relief operations still underway across Western North Carolina in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
“AmeriCorps programs are critical to helping communities across our state, including as we continue to rebuild in western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene,” Attorney General Jeff Jackson said. “This win helps make sure that AmeriCorps members and the organizations they serve have the support and stability they need to do this important work.”
Core Terms of the Settlement
Ban on mass dismissals and grant cancellations: AmeriCorps agreed not to carry out mass grant terminations, large-scale staff reductions beyond existing plans, or mass dismissals of active service members during the current fiscal year.
Mandatory advance notification: The federal agency must provide the coalition of states at least 30 days’ written notice before taking major operational actions or making significant changes.
Enforceable court stay: The settlement pauses active litigation through February 1, 2027. If AmeriCorps does not meet its commitments, the coalition can request that the court resume the lawsuit.
Impact on Recovery and Volunteer Operations
The settlement stems from a lawsuit filed after congressionally appropriated AmeriCorps grants were abruptly terminated. That legal challenge previously led to the restoration of nearly $400 million in AmeriCorps funding nationwide and released more than $184 million in funds that had been withheld.
In North Carolina alone, more than 600 volunteers serve statewide through programs including AmeriCorps NC, AmeriCorps VISTA, and AmeriCorps Seniors, directly supporting community needs and ongoing disaster recovery.
“We are thankful to Attorney General Jackson and his team for their hard work with the lawsuit to ensure that AmeriCorps NC programs continue to operate at full capacity and funding levels,” said Briles Johnson, Executive Director of VolunteerNC. “Our AmeriCorps NC programs, with more than 600 volunteers serving, are on the ground serving our communities and making a difference every day.”
Attorney General Jackson is joined in the settlement by the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaiʻi, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin, along with the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania.