US Code

Public Law 119-87 (04/30/2026)

42 U.S.C. § 4950

Volunteerism policy

(a)
Because of the long-standing importance of volunteerism throughout American history, it is the policy of the Congress to foster the tradition of volunteerism through greater involvement on the part of individuals of all ages and backgrounds.
(b)
The purpose of this chapter is to foster and expand voluntary citizen service in communities throughout the Nation in activities designed to help the poor, the disadvantaged, the vulnerable, and the elderly. In carrying out this purpose, the Corporation for National and Community Service shall utilize to the fullest extent the programs authorized under this chapter, coordinate with other Federal, State, and local agencies, expand relationships with, and support for, the efforts of civic, community, and educational organizations, and utilize the energy, innovative spirit, experience, and skills of all Americans.

Pub. L. 93–113, § 2Pub. L. 99–551, § 2(a)100 Stat. 3071 Pub. L. 103–82, title IV, § 405(a)(1)107 Stat. 920 Pub. L. 111–13, title II, § 2002123 Stat. 1581 (, as added , , ; amended , , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Pub. L. 93–11387 Stat. 394 This chapter, referred to in subsec. (b), was in the original “this Act”, meaning , , , known as the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out below and Tables.

Amendments

Pub. L. 111–13, § 2002(1)2009—Subsec. (a). , substituted “individuals of all ages and backgrounds.” for “both young and older citizens.”

Pub. L. 111–13, § 2002(2)Subsec. (b). , inserted “, expand relationships with, and support for, the efforts of civic, community, and educational organizations,” after “State, and local agencies”.

Pub. L. 103–821993—Subsec. (b). substituted “of this chapter” for “of ACTION, the Federal domestic volunteer agency,” and “the Corporation for National and Community Service shall”for “ACTION shall”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2009 Amendment

Pub. L. 111–13, title VI, § 6101(a)123 Stat. 1600

“This Act [see Tables for classification], and the amendments made by this Act, take effect on .”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 1993 Amendment

Pub. L. 103–82section 406(b) of Pub. L. 103–82section 8332 of Title 5Amendment by effective , see , set out as a note under , Government Organization and Employees.

Effective Date

Pub. L. 99–551, § 11100 Stat. 3079

section 4959 of this titlesection 5041 of this title“Except as otherwise provided, the amendments made by this Act [enacting this section and , amending sections 4953, 4955, 4971, 4972, 4974, 4992, 5011, 5013, 5024, 5041 to 5044, 5047, 5052, 5055, 5056, 5059, 5061, 5081, 5082, and 5084 of this title, and amending provisions set out as a note under ] shall take effect .”
, , , provided that:

Short Title of 1993 Amendment

Pub. L. 103–82, title III, § 311(a)107 Stat. 898

Pub. L. 103–82section 8332 of Title 5section 5001 of this title“This subtitle [subtitle B (§§ 311, 392) of title III of , enacting sections 5028, 5028a, and 5065 of this title, amending sections 4951 to 4955, 4957, 4959, 4960, 4971 to 4973, 4992, 4993, 5000, 5001, 5011, 5013, 5021, 5024 to 5026, 5041 to 5044, 5055, 5057, 5062, 5081, 5082, and 5084 of this title and sections 8143, 8332, 8334, 8411, and 8422 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, repealing sections 4974, 4994, 5012, 5047, 5060, and 5091 to 5091n of this title, enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 4951 and 4952 of this title, and , and amending provisions set out as notes under this section and ] may be cited as the ‘Domestic Volunteer Service Act Amendments of 1993’.”
, , , provided that:

Short Title of 1989 Amendment

Pub. L. 101–204, § 1(a)103 Stat. 1806

section 4954 of this titlesection 5601 of this title“This Act [enacting sections 4960, 5000, 5025, 5026, and 5027 of this title, amending sections 4952 to 4955, 4958, 4959, 4971, 4974, 4992 to 4994, 5001, 5011 to 5013, 5021, 5024, 5041, 5047, 5056, 5061, 5081, 5082, 5084, 5671, 5715, 5751, 5773, 5775, 5777, 9910b, 11803, 11825, 11842, and 11851 of this title, enacting provisions set out as a note under , and amending provisions set out as a note under ] may be cited as the ‘Domestic Volunteer Service Act Amendments of 1989’.”
, , , provided that:

Short Title of 1986 Amendment

Pub. L. 99–551, § 1100 Stat. 3071

section 4959 of this titlesection 5011 of this titlesection 5041 of this title“This Act [enacting this section and , amending sections 4953, 4955, 4971, 4972, 4974, 4992, 5011, 5013, 5024, 5041 to 5044, 5047, 5052, 5055, 5056, 5059, 5061, 5081, 5082, and 5084 of this title, enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and , and amending provisions set out as a note under ] may be cited as the ‘Domestic Volunteer Service Act Amendments of 1986’.”
, , , provided that:

Short Title of 1984 Amendment

Pub. L. 98–288, § 198 Stat. 189

section 5024 of this titlesection 5045 of this title“That this Act [enacting , amending sections 4951 to 4956, 4958, 4971, 4972, 4974, 4991 to 4993, 5001, 5011, 5013, 5041 to 5044, 5047, 5052, 5056 to 5060, 5081, 5082, 5084, 9902, and 9912 of this title, repealing , and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 5042 and 5045 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Domestic Volunteer Service Act Amendments of 1984’.”
, , , provided:

Short Title of 1979 Amendment

Pub. L. 96–143, § 193 Stat. 1074

section 4955 of this title“That this Act [enacting sections 5063 and 5064 of this title, amending sections 4953, 4955, 4958, 4973, 4974, 4992, 5021, 5043, 5044, 5050, 5055, 5057, 5058, 5060, 5081, and 5084 of this title, enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 4992 and 5084 of this title, and amending provisions set out as a note under ] may be cited as the ‘Domestic Volunteer Service Act Amendments of 1979’.”
, , , provided:

Short Title of 1976 Amendment

Pub. L. 94–293, § 190 Stat. 525

section 5053 of this titlesection 4958 of this title“That this Act [enacting sections 4958 and 4993 of this title, amending sections 4974, 4992, 5011, 5042, 5045, 5081, 5083, and 5084 of this title, repealing , and enacting provision set out as a note under ] may be cited as the ‘Domestic Volunteer Service Act Amendments of 1976’.”
, , , provided:

Short Title

Pub. L. 93–113, title I, § 1(a)87 Stat. 394 Pub. L. 103–82, title III, § 391107 Stat. 915

section 3067 of this titlesection 8332(b)(7) of Title 5section 5041 of this title“This Act [enacting this chapter, amending and , Government Organization and Employees, and repealing sections 2991, 2992 to 2992b, 2993 to 2993b, 2994 to 2994d, and 3044 to 3044e of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and ] may be cited as the ‘Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973’.”
, formerly § 1(part), , , as renumbered and amended by , , , provided that: