Volunteering in Maine hampered by federal funding freeze

By Luke C. Shorty

“We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.” – President Ronald Reagan

I think this quote sums up the spirit of Maine. We look out for our neighbors, make sure people don’t go hungry, give kids rides to school events, and check in on our elders. That’s the Maine way, whether in small towns, villages, or the woods.

I’ve seen it firsthand in Aroostook County and the North Maine Woods. Service is part of who we are. That’s why I joined the Boy Scouts, served in my church, and worked with the Maine Conservation Corps building trails at Acadia National Park and Katahdin. Service builds character, strengthens communities, and gives people purpose.

As the immediate past chair of Volunteer Maine, I’ve seen how service helps tackle hunger, support working families, guide young people, and help people recover from addiction. Since 1995, Volunteer Maine has brought in AmeriCorps funding to help our state meet local needs and build civic pride. In 2024, 87 percent of Volunteer Maine’s AmeriCorps members came from out of state — and about 40 percent of them stay. That means more good people choosing to live and work here, right in our local communities.

But that’s all under threat. This spring, AmeriCorps suddenly ended all eight of Volunteer Maine’s grants — cutting $2.5 million in annual funding. That affected over 120 AmeriCorps members in all 16 counties. These people were working on everything from preventing disease to supporting job training, education, and conservation.

Volunteer Maine joined a 23-state lawsuit pushing back. On June 5, a federal judge ruled in our favor, restoring the $2.5 million and letting our service programs restart. But not all the funding is flowing yet. Some is still frozen by the Office of Management and Budget, even though Congress already approved it. That delay puts current and future programs at risk.

As taxpayers, we all want our money used wisely. AmeriCorps delivers. Every $1 invested returns $34 in value — through better health, education, conservation, and more. That’s government efficiency at its best. If AmeriCorps were a stock, people would be lining up to invest.

Now we need help. Sen. Susan Collins chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee and has always stood up for Maine. We need her leadership to make sure the Office of Management and Budget releases these funds. This isn’t about asking for more money — it’s about unlocking funds already approved by Congress so our communities don’t get left behind.

Volunteer service is the backbone of rural Maine, from the coast to the western foothills. We’ll keep serving, no matter what. But it’s a lot easier to do when the resources show up on time.

Visit VolunteerMaine.gov to learn how AmeriCorps is helping your community. In President Donald Trump’s words: “The belief that a nation must serve its citizens will not dwindle but instead only grow stronger by the day.”

Join me in contacting Collins today. Let’s make sure Mainers can keep answering the call to serve and grow stronger together.

Shorty of Winthrop is the immediate past chair of Volunteer Maine.