Serve Washington

National service, volunteerism, and civic engagement are the foundation for caring communities and a thriving Washington. Serve Washington advances national service, volunteerism and civic engagement to improve lives; expands opportunity to meet the local critical needs of residents of Washington; and strengthens community capacity while creating healthy and resilient communities.

Established in February 1994, Serve Washington is charged with the following duties per Executive Order #16-08:

• Comply with federal requirements pertaining to State Commissions on National and Community Service, authorized by 42 U.S.C. § 12638 and the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1990 as amended by the Serve America Act;
• Seek additional sources of non-federal funds, especially private funds, to meet matching requirements and build upon existing service initiatives;
• Provide recommendations to the Governor pertaining to legislative or policy initiatives that promote the ethic of service;
• Identify existing and new policies or practices that lead to the expansion of national service opportunities in Washington and support federal programs and efforts that expand national service; and
• Provide the leadership and vision, alongside local volunteer organizations, civic and community groups, and units of government, to make service a part of the lives of all Washingtonians.