Note: This application is for American Connection Corps (ACC) host sites for the 2026–27 Program Year, which will begin in September 2026 We welcome applications from partners nationwide. Submitting this form is a way to indicate general interest only—organizations are not committing to participate by applying. We encourage interested partners to complete this form as soon as possible.
Lead For America is a service organization dedicated to activating local talent and building the leadership pipelines communities need to realize their unique visions for the future.
The research backs us up: when local people—those who understand a community’s culture, history, and context—design and drive solutions, those efforts are up to twice as effective at creating lasting change compared to top-down, one-size-fits-all approaches.
The American Connection Corps (ACC) is a service fellowship program powered by Lead For America that helps communities build the digital connectivity necessary to expand opportunity and economic mobility—from healthcare access to quality employment.
Where we live increasingly determines which opportunities we can access. ACC exists to change that by investing in place-based service, rooted in local leadership and lived experiences.
Each year, ACC partners with organizations in digitally disconnected places and places more than 100 fellows across 30 states, working shoulder-to-shoulder with partners to expand socioeconomic opportunity, strengthen community connections, and build long-term talent pipelines
ACC is intentionally intergenerational Fellows may be:
What unites ACC Fellows is their commitment to place They are local people—or people deeply connected to the place they serve—who bring community capital, credibility, and lived experience to their fellowship year.
As an ACC host partner, you will:
Across our fellowship programs, we collate data, test approaches in different places, and share insights across communities—together building a more effective service model for the social sector.
Requirements
American Connection Corps host organizations must be one of the following:
Hosting an ACC Member requires a financial partnership Host sites provide a local match to federal AmeriCorps and philanthropic contributions. The standard host site cost is $35,000 per Member per year. This fee supports member stipends, training, supervision, and national program infrastructure.
Lead For America is a place-based national service organization that equips Americans of all backgrounds to serve and lead in the communities they call home. Since its founding in 2018, Lead For America has created more than 500 full-time public service fellowships across 44 states.
Our current flagship initiative is the American Connection Corps—a place-based AmeriCorps program that harnesses the power of national service to expand economic opportunity, strengthen social fabric, and foster cross-cultural connection.
Whether serving in rural towns or digitally disconnected cities, our Members share a common purpose: to build a better future for the places they live. Over the years, Lead For America has launched and supported a variety of service programs. Regardless of the program, all graduates become part of the growing Lead For America alumni network and continue to receive support, resources, and opportunities to stay engaged in public service long after their term concludes.
Learn more about the American Connection Corps at
https://www.americanconnectioncorps.org/
