Rep. Adam Smith Meets with Nonprofits Impacted by AmeriCorps Cuts

SEATTLE, WASH. – Today, Congressman Adam Smith (D-Wash.) held a roundtable today with local nonprofit leaders to hear firsthand how federal funding cuts and freezes have affected staffing, youth programs, and workforce development services across Washington’s Ninth District.

Attendees included City Year Seattle, El Centro de la Raza, Lutheran Community Services Northwest, Serve Washington, and College Possible Washington, all of which have faced challenges from the federal funding delays and cancellations.

Photos courtesy of CityYear, full album here.

“These programs are on the frontlines—supporting students, closing opportunity gaps, and helping communities thrive,” said Congressman Smith. “Cutting these programs is shortsighted and deeply harmful. I will continue fighting to restore AmeriCorps funding and community service funding in Congress.”

Organizations shared the specific impact on students and families in South King County, including reduced staffing and higher caseloads, pauses on expanding local partnerships, and the inability to expand services to meet the needs in King County.

Background on AmeriCorps Disruptions in Washington’s Ninth District

Over the past several months, AmeriCorps programs in Washington state and across the country have faced major disruptions due to federal directives and funding uncertainty:

• In April, the White House Domestic Policy Council ordered AmeriCorps to terminate over 1,000 grants, pull more than 33,000 AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors members from service, and lay off the majority of agency staff.
• In Washington state, 29 local programs lost $24.4 million in funding, and 1,577 service members were removed from their positions. These included programs supporting education, workforce development, and public health in South King County.
• Following a lawsuit by 24 states, including Washington, a federal court ruled the grant terminations unlawful and ordered programs reinstated. However, the sudden disruption caused lasting damage.
• The Administration’s latest budget proposal recommends eliminating AmeriCorps entirely in FY26, reducing funding from $1.26 billion to $107 million for agency shutdown.
• The Office of Management and Budget is currently withholding $200 million in Congressionally approved FY25 funding, delaying awards to over 180 programs, including two in Washington state.

Organizations participating in today’s roundtable have been directly affected by these disruptions. Many are scaling back services in South King County communities and struggling to retain staff while waiting for critical federal support.