Updated August 2026
The President’s Volunteer Service Award, commonly called the PVSA, remains on a temporary national pause. AmeriCorps paused the program effective May 27, 2025, and no date has been announced for it to resume.
During the pause, certifying organizations, including the Global Volunteer Recognition Program, cannot issue new PVSA awards. Volunteers should continue serving, tracking their hours, and saving proof of their work.
Looking for a PVSA Alternative?
The best recognition option depends on what you want to celebrate:
-
Verified volunteer hours: Global Volunteer Awards™
-
Student character, leadership, and service: Global Student Citizenship & Service Award
-
A specific project, skill, cause, or milestone: Volunteer Achievement Badges
-
Volunteer service at graduation: Gray Community Service Graduation Honor Cord
-
Public recognition for a volunteer: Community Champion Spotlight
-
A published volunteer story: Global Volunteer Voices
These are independent recognition opportunities. They are not issued by AmeriCorps and should not be represented as President’s Volunteer Service Awards.
Is the President’s Volunteer Service Award Still Available?
The PVSA is currently paused nationwide. No certifying organization can issue new awards while the national ordering and administration system is unavailable.
The Global Volunteer Recognition Program is a PVSA Certifying Organization only. GVRP does not issue, own, or control the PVSA and cannot determine when the program will reopen.
You can review the latest information on the official President’s Volunteer Service Award website and the GVRP PVSA information page.
What Should Volunteers Do During the PVSA Pause?
Do not stop serving or documenting your impact. Continue to:
-
Track the date and number of hours completed
-
Record the organization or service project
-
Describe the work performed
-
Save contact information for a supervisor or coordinator
-
Keep confirmation emails, letters, photographs, or other proof
-
Review the requirements of any recognition program you plan to pursue
Each award program has its own eligibility and documentation requirements. Hours that may qualify for one program are not automatically guaranteed to qualify for another.
1. Global Volunteer Awards™
The Global Volunteer Awards™ are the closest GVRP option for volunteers seeking recognition based primarily on documented service hours.
Qualifying members may earn Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum recognition based on their age and eligible volunteer hours. Service is reviewed using a full calendar year, beginning January 1 and ending December 31. The membership year and award year must match.
Qualifying recognition includes a personalized digital certificate and placement on the official honor roll. Physical certificates, medals, pins, and award bundles are available separately.
This option may be a good fit for:
-
Students and adults tracking annual volunteer hours
-
Remote, local, national, or international volunteers
-
Families completing service together
-
Community leaders and long-term volunteers
-
Volunteers building resumes, portfolios, or service records
An active membership for the corresponding award year is required to earn a Global Volunteer Award.
2. Global Student Citizenship & Service Award
The Global Student Citizenship & Service Award is GVRP’s current student recognition for character, citizenship, leadership, volunteer service, responsibility, and positive community impact.
Unlike an award based only on volunteer-hour totals, this reviewed recognition considers the student’s complete contribution. There is no fixed minimum number of volunteer hours, and GVRP membership is not required.
Students may be nominated by parents, guardians, educators, schools, homeschool programs, nonprofit organizations, volunteer supervisors, mentors, youth leaders, coaches, pageant directors, and community organizations.
Options include:
-
A personalized digital certificate
-
A personalized printed certificate
-
A printed certificate and volunteer honor cord bundle
This award is open to eligible students in elementary school, middle school, high school, homeschool programs, colleges, universities, trade schools, and technical schools.
3. Volunteer Achievement Badges
Volunteer Achievement Badges recognize specific service activities, causes, skills, challenges, and milestones.
Available categories include:
-
Service-based badges
-
Skill-based badges
-
Impact-based badges
-
Cause-themed badges
-
Remote-friendly badges
-
Special challenge badges
These are earned recognitions. Volunteers must complete the requirements for the selected badge and submit proof before it is approved. Purchasing a badge alone does not mean it has been earned.
Most badges do not require GVRP membership unless the individual badge listing states otherwise. They can be especially useful for students, families, schools, homeschool groups, clubs, pageant participants, remote volunteers, and adults who want to build a record of different service experiences.
4. Community Service Graduation Honor Cord
The Gray Community Service Graduation Honor Cord gives graduating students a visible way to celebrate their commitment to volunteer service.
It may be used for high school, college, university, homeschool, vocational, and other graduation celebrations. Students should confirm their school’s rules before wearing outside honor cords during an official commencement ceremony.
The cord can also be worn during senior photographs, award presentations, volunteer celebrations, and other recognition events.
5. Community Champion Spotlight
The 2027 Community Champion Spotlight publicly recognizes volunteers, students, advocates, caregivers, nonprofit supporters, educators, and community leaders.
Nominations are free, self-nominations are accepted, and GVRP membership is not required. Every approved nominee receives an online spotlight sharing their service and impact. Approved 2027 nominees will also be celebrated during the 2027 awards ceremony.
This is a strong option for recognizing someone whose work deserves greater visibility, even when their impact cannot be fully represented by a volunteer-hour total.
6. Global Volunteer Voices
Global Volunteer Voices is an annual publication that preserves and shares the stories behind volunteer service.
Volunteers, families, students, nonprofit organizations, schools, groups, and community leaders may submit stories. Submissions are free, membership is not required, and volunteers from around the world may participate.
The annual submission deadline is December 15. Selected stories are considered for the edition published during the following calendar year.
Celebrate Volunteer Service at the 2027 Awards Ceremony
The 2027 GVRP Formal Volunteer Awards Ceremony will bring volunteers, members, award recipients, Community Champion Spotlight nominees, Global Volunteer Voices participants, families, and supporters together for formal recognition.
The official date and location are still being finalized. Attendance is open to members and nonmembers, and a Can’t Attend Recognition Package is available for eligible participating members.
Frequently Asked Questions About PVSA Alternatives
Can GVRP issue a PVSA during the pause?
No. GVRP and other certifying organizations cannot issue new President’s Volunteer Service Awards while the national program remains paused.
Should I continue tracking my volunteer hours?
Yes. Keep complete records of your service, including dates, hours, activities, organizations, contact information, and proof. These records may support future award applications, school requirements, resumes, scholarships, and leadership portfolios.
What is the closest alternative to the PVSA?
For volunteers seeking recognition based on annual documented hours, the Global Volunteer Awards are the closest GVRP option. They are an independent program and are not affiliated with or issued by AmeriCorps.
Can students still receive volunteer recognition?
Yes. Students may qualify for Global Volunteer Awards, the Global Student Citizenship & Service Award, Volunteer Achievement Badges, graduation honor cords, the Community Champion Spotlight, and other school or community awards.
Can remote volunteer work count?
Remote service may qualify for some GVRP recognition programs when the work meets the applicable requirements and can be properly documented. Always review the rules for the specific award or badge.
Your Service Still Matters
The PVSA pause does not change the value of your volunteer work. Continue serving, track your hours carefully, and keep proof of the difference you are making.
When you are ready to celebrate that impact, explore GVRP volunteer awards and recognition opportunities.