From the beginning, service to the greater good has been central to the American spirit and the essential core of any democracy.
In 2026, America is celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. It’s a chance for us all to celebrate our spirit of service — a spirit so powerfully expressed in the closing words of the Declaration of Independence itself.
“And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”
– Declaration of Independence, 1776
Without that commitment to serving others, the Revolution would not have succeeded, nor would our nation have endured and prospered for all these years.
Celebrating 250 years of service and beyond
Americans are at their very best when they engage in service — as volunteers, in their work, or through charitable giving.
This year, we’re honoring all we’ve accomplished in 250 years of American service to others, celebrating service that’s happening every day, and looking toward what we will achieve in the future.
“Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.”
– Martin Luther King Jr.
Join the celebration
You or your organization, school, or community can be a part of celebrating 250 years of American service.
Individuals
Create a museum
To create a museum of service, you don’t need a professional curator or a massive budget. Use our toolkits to help you turn a local public space into a museum of service.
Shop the 250 & Beyond store
Show your support for 250 & Beyond by shopping our store. A portion of each sale supports the National Museum and Center for Service.
Tell a story of service
Do you know someone who’s making a difference by serving others? Help us honor them. Share their story so that we can feature their service in our national archive.
Stay connected
Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest news from NMCFS and see how neighbors are making a difference in every corner of America.
Organizations
Create a museum
To create a museum of service, you don’t need a professional curator or a massive budget. Use our toolkits to help you turn a local public space into a museum of service.
Commit to 250 & Beyond
Join the growing list of organizations who are committed to telling the stories of those who serve, in communities across the country and inviting all Americans to participate.
Share tools and resources for experiences and activities
Share our tools and resources in your community to help celebrate service where it happens.
News and updates
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