American Connection Corps Host Site Application (2025-26)

Note: This application is for American Connection Corps host sites for the 2025-26 Program Year, which will begin in September 2025. We welcome applications from host sites nationwide, and we encourage organizations to complete this form ASAP to indicate general interest - organizations are not committing to anything by submitting. The application should take no more than 15 minutes to complete. Thank you!

The American Connection Corps (ACC) is a program of Lead For America (LFA), a national nonprofit organization focused on building a leadership force of moral, dynamic, and locally-rooted leaders committed to serving the communities they call home in every corner of this country. ACC is Lead For America’s boots-on-the-ground service corps, aimed at activating local leaders in rural and emerging communities to tackle critical, bi-partisan challenges to advance economic prosperity. Through ACC, Lead For America ensures that national service opportunities are indeed available in “every corner of this country.” 

American Connection Corps Members advance economic prosperity in rural and emerging communities nationwide. Placed with a local public institution, members build critical capacity, attract resources, and activate community engagement across the following key areas:

• Community and Economic Development
• Health and Social Capital
• Agriculture and Natural Resources

Bridging the digital divide was selected as a core campaign of the American Connection Corps, and is an issue that unites all ACC Members as they serve across the above fields. Through yearlong training and support, members are equipped with the tools to understand how they can channel these resources locally, while also building capacity across a diverse set of host institutions and issue areas to ensure that the opportunity that broadband access facilitates can be fully realized. 

Requirements

American Connection Corps host organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits, government entities (local, tribal, state, etc), or faith-based organizations focused on non-religious activities. Furthermore, all host sites should fall into one of our three program areas. Examples of types of sites that might fall into each area are listed below: 

• Community and Economic Development: Broadband offices, municipal governments, planning commissions, connectivity-focused nonprofits, and more.
• Health and Social Capital: Community health centers, health systems, housing organizations, school districts, and more.
• Agriculture and Natural Resources: Extension offices, local farm bureaus, energy or land use organizations, ag-focused nonprofits, and more.

Across all program areas, ACC Members work to close the digital divide and advance community prosperity through their work. Each Member commits to devoting a year of their lives to national service.Note: Upon completing this application, you will be contacted by a member of the ACC team to schedule a 45-minute phone consultation, during which we'll discuss your organization's needs and potential fit for hosting ACC AmeriCorps Members.

Responsibilities

All ACC host sites are expected to provide the following:

A) Identify a dedicated site supervisor for Member mentorship and compliance.

• This person should have the capacity to meet weekly with the Member, sign off on biweekly timesheets, participate in all ACC check-ins, impact surveys, and host training and roundtables, as well as commit to mentoring and supporting the Member. 

B) Provide a financial host contribution.

• Host sites provide a local match to federal AmeriCorps and philanthropic contributions. The standard cost for hosting a Member is $35,000/year. Financial scholarships are available for qualifying host organizations, based on community size, organizational budget, and local need - these can significantly reduce the host contribution amount. Complete your application to speak with an ACC representative in more detail about your host site contribution.

C) Provide a clear, meaningful, and engaging position description.

• American Connection Corps Members advance economic prosperity in rural communities and legacy cities nationwide. Placed with a local public institution, Members offer critical capacity, attract resources, and activate community engagement across the following key areas. Host sites are responsible for clearly articulating the goals, objectives, working arrangements, and routine activities for their Members.

D) Provide adequate workspace, equipment, and logistical support.

• ACC prioritizes in-person service opportunities. Hosts must provide space and equipment for required service and travel reimbursement for non-ACC, site-specific events or trainings. 

E) Help recruit locally.

• ACC provides a national recruitment platform and media templates, but we rely on host partners to also share the opportunity on local channels, and refer candidates to the program.