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AmeriCorps is a civil society program supported by the U.S. federal government, foundations, corporations, and other donors engaging adults in intensive community service work with the goal of "helping others and meeting critical needs in the community". Members commit to full-time or part-time positions offered by a network of nonprofit community organizations and public agencies, to fulfill assignments in the fields of education, public safety, health care, and environmental protection. The program is often compared to the Peace Corps as its domestic counterpart.
AmeriCorps is an initiative of the Corporation for National and Community Service, which also oversees the Senior Corps and Learn and Serve America. It was created under President Bill Clinton by the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993, incorporating VISTA and the National Civilian Community Corps. A third division, AmeriCorps State and National, provides grants to hundreds of local community organizations throughout the United States.
The program first became operational in 1994 and has expanded over time, with over 80,000 members participating annually as of 2012.
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