America’s Service Commissions honors 11 national service leaders

America’s Service Commissions recognized 11 leaders and programs at its 2026 Innovation and Leadership Awards in Washington, D.C., spotlighting commissioners, staff, governors, senators and AmeriCorps programs from 10 states and the District of Columbia. The annual awards highlight people and organizations shaping the national service network and helping steer federal AmeriCorps funding.

Why it matters: - The awards spotlight the people who help run and strengthen the state service commission system that channels most federal AmeriCorps State and National funding. - The recognition puts a national focus on service leadership, program delivery and community problem-solving across multiple states and the District of Columbia.

What happened: - America’s Service Commissions hosted its 2026 Innovation and Leadership Awards in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 15, 2026. - Eleven leaders were recognized from Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina and Washington, D.C. - The awards program honors state service commission staff, commissioners, service programs and national service champions across the United States and its territories.

The details: - Friend of America’s Service Commissions honors went to Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Sen. Susan Collins of Maine. - The State Service Leadership Award went to Maryland Gov. Wes Moore. - Outstanding Commissioner honors went to Col. Rebecca Lange of Colorado and Amanda Nipper of Arkansas. - Brittany Stiffler Crabtree of Missouri received Outstanding Commission Executive Director. - Michelle Raymer of Iowa received Outstanding Commission Staff. - Providing Access to Court Services AmeriCorps in Arizona received Outstanding Service Program. - Jane Atkinson of North Carolina received Outstanding Service Program Staff. - Sandy Scott of Maryland and Rhonda Taylor of Washington, D.C., were named to the Honor Roll. - John Kelly, CEO of America’s Service Commissions, said the recipients exemplify national service through leadership, creativity and commitment to strengthening communities. - Kelly said the honorees are finding innovative solutions to complex challenges and inspiring others to serve. - Kelly said the organization is proud to recognize people and organizations advancing its mission and creating lasting impact. - America’s Service Commissions is a nonprofit, nonpartisan association representing and promoting the 52 state service commissions across the United States and its territories. - The association says state service commissions are governor-designated public agencies or nonprofit organizations led by more than 1,000 commissioners. - America’s Service Commissions says those commissions administer more than 75% of federal AmeriCorps State and National funding to address community needs. - More information is available in the awards announcement. - The organization also shares updates on its LinkedIn page.

Between the lines: - The honors reflect a broad cross-section of the national service ecosystem, from policymakers to program staff. - The mix of state leaders and program operators suggests ASC is trying to elevate both funding stewards and frontline implementers. - The awards also reinforce the role of state service commissions as key intermediaries in the AmeriCorps funding pipeline.

What's next: - America’s Service Commissions is likely to keep using the annual awards to highlight leadership across the service network. - The organization points readers to its website for more information about the awards and awardees.

The bottom line: - ASC used its annual awards to recognize the leaders and programs shaping national service policy and practice across the country.