Who We Are

The Massachusetts Service Alliance (MSA), a nonprofit founded in 1991, builds the organizational capacity of hundreds of Massachusetts nonprofits, schools, and agencies annually through funding, training, and resources centered on volunteerism and service. We are proud to be Massachusetts' official State Service Commission.

We put the bulk of our effort into three initiatives: AmeriCorps, Commonwealth Corps, and Volunteerism Initiatives.

Our Commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

We view it as one of our core responsibilities to be an anti-racist State Service Commission that centers justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in the work and mission of our organization. We promise to do our best to:

  • Listen and learn with humility from those impacted by systemic injustices
  • Take accountability for our past and present action and inaction
  • Remove barriers and increase accessibility for communities that are underrepresented, marginalized, and/or oppressed
  • Create environments where people can show up authentically

We encourage our stakeholders and partners to join us in this work and hold us accountable.

Massachusetts Service Alliance FAQ

Massachusetts 
Service Alliance FAQ

Our brand guidelines can be found here, and our logos can be found here.

Check out this page for individuals interested in AmeriCorps, Commonwealth Corps, or volunteering!

Check out this page for organizations interested in becoming an AmeriCorps program, Commonwealth Corps host site, or other service and volunteerism funding opportunities!

MSA's History

1991

MSA is established as MCSC

After President Bush signs the National Community Service Act, Governor Weld creates the Massachusetts Community Service Commission (MCSC) to support corps-based programming in the state.

1993

MSA is reconfigured as Massachusetts' official State Service Commission

President Clinton signs the National and Community Service Trust Act, requiring every state to have a state commission on service and volunteerism.

1994

The first Massachusetts AmeriCorps cohort is launched

AmeriCorps launches on the Boston Common with Secretary of Education Richard Riley and Senator Edward Kennedy. Since the inception of AmeriCorps, MSA has supported dozens of organizations across the Commonwealth that have placed thousands of members in service to our communities.

1994

The first statewide conference on service and volunteerism is held

MSA hosts its first statewide conference on service and volunteerism, which we continue to host bi-annually.

2007

Commonwealth Corps is launched

The Commonwealth Corps is launched as a way to connect the courage, drive, and idealism of the state's residents with the creative and entrepreneurial work of local nonprofits and public entities that are addressing the challenges facing Massachusetts. MSA is designated to administer the program.

2010

MSA uses Volunteer Generation Fund (VGF) support to launch more volunteerism support

Through the generous support of our VGF grant, we've mobilized over 100,000 volunteers in Massachusetts since 2010.

2013

Governor Patrick signs An Act to Create an Annual Service and Volunteerism Day"

The law sets apart the second Thursday in April, or such other Thursday if in conjunction with a federally recognized National Volunteer Week, as Massachusetts Service and Volunteerism Day.

2021

MSA celebrates its 30th anniversary

As we enter our third decade of nonprofit work in the Commonwealth, we are the largest we've ever been as an organization. We are privileged to leverage tens of millions in state and federal funding to assist over 500 Massachusetts organizations annually.

1991

MSA is established as MCSC

After President Bush signs the National Community Service Act, Governor Weld creates the Massachusetts Community Service Commission (MCSC) to support corps-based programming in the state.

1993

MSA is reconfigured as Massachusetts' official State Service Commission

President Clinton signs the National and Community Service Trust Act, requiring every state to have a state commission on service and volunteerism.

1994

The first Massachusetts AmeriCorps cohort is launched

AmeriCorps launches on the Boston Common with Secretary of Education Richard Riley and Senator Edward Kennedy. Since the inception of AmeriCorps, MSA has supported dozens of organizations across the Commonwealth that have placed thousands of members in service to our communities.

1994

The first statewide conference on service and volunteerism is held

MSA hosts its first statewide conference on service and volunteerism, which we continue to host bi-annually.

2007

Commonwealth Corps is launched

The Commonwealth Corps is launched as a way to connect the courage, drive, and idealism of the state's residents with the creative and entrepreneurial work of local nonprofits and public entities that are addressing the challenges facing Massachusetts. MSA is designated to administer the program.

2010

MSA uses Volunteer Generation Fund (VGF) support to launch more volunteerism support

Through the generous support of our VGF grant, we've mobilized over 100,000 volunteers in Massachusetts since 2010.

2013

Governor Patrick signs An Act to Create an Annual Service and Volunteerism Day"

The law sets apart the second Thursday in April, or such other Thursday if in conjunction with a federally recognized National Volunteer Week, as Massachusetts Service and Volunteerism Day.

2021

MSA celebrates its 30th anniversary

As we enter our third decade of nonprofit work in the Commonwealth, we are the largest we've ever been as an organization. We are privileged to leverage tens of millions in state and federal funding to assist over 500 Massachusetts organizations annually.