California Attorney General Rob Bonta participated in a volunteer event with AmeriCorps members and the organization Improve Your Tomorrow in Sacramento, highlighting the role of AmeriCorps programs in supporting California communities. AmeriCorps provides funding and places volunteers at local organizations to address community needs such as education, public safety, and health services. In 2024, more than 6,000 AmeriCorps members served across over 1,200 locations in California.
Earlier this year, the Trump Administration attempted to reduce funding for AmeriCorps and dismantle parts of the agency. In response, Attorney General Bonta filed a lawsuit that resulted in continued support for AmeriCorps programs throughout the state.
“This holiday season, I’m grateful for the thousands of AmeriCorps members serving in communities across our state,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “These AmeriCorps members represent the best of our country — embodying a spirit of giving that is especially poignant this time of year. I’m proud of the work my office did to defend AmeriCorps and ensure critical programs like Improve Your Tomorrow continue to get the support they need to raise up the next generation of leaders. In California, we’re not looking for a fight — but we won’t hesitate to defend our people, our programs, and our values when they’re under threat.”
Michael Lynch, CEO and Co-Founder of Improve Your Tomorrow, commented on the importance of AmeriCorps: “AmeriCorps has been a lifeline for organizations like Improve Your Tomorrow and for the students we serve every day. When DOGE tried to gut this program, it wasn’t just a budget decision – it was an attack on opportunities for low-income communities and young people across California. We’re grateful that Attorney General Bonta stood up, went to court, and won. This victory means our IYT AmeriCorps members can stay focused on what they do best: helping students get to and through college, instead of wondering if their service will be cut out from under them.”
California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday also expressed appreciation: “Today is a reminder that when California leads with service, we don’t just build stronger communities, we fight to protect them. We are standing firm to defend AmeriCorps in California and together we’re demonstrating the power of service to strengthen our communities,” said Fryday. “I’m grateful to Attorney General Rob Bonta and partners like Improve Your Tomorrow who understand the real power of service lies in its ability to connect people, solve problems and keep communities moving forward.”
AmeriCorps operates as an independent federal agency focused on engaging Americans in community-based service initiatives addressing education, public safety, environmental needs and more. In 2024 alone, over $133 million in federal funds were invested by AmeriCorps into California programs working with partners such as Improve Your Tomorrow.
In April 2025,Attorney General Bonta co-led a multistate coalition that secured an early court order blocking attempts by the Trump Administration to cut funding or dismantle parts of AmeriCorps operations within California. The lawsuit was later expanded after additional funds were withheld; ultimately these funds were released following legal action.
Attorney General Bonta’s office has challenged various actions by the Trump Administration through litigation intended to protect constitutional rights as well as federal funding streams critical for state programs including education recovery efforts post-pandemic and transportation grants.
Other lawsuits led by Bonta have aimed at protecting constitutional rights such as birthright citizenship; ensuring public safety grant funding remains accessible; preserving educational resources; preventing immigration enforcement conditions on transportation grants; and securing privacy protections for recipients of Medicaid or SNAP benefits.
More information about these efforts is available at the Department of Justice’s website.
