National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) congratulates the tens of thousands of Peace Corps supporters who joined us in expressing their support for the agency and its volunteers. Together, we demonstrated how the Peace Corps helps make our country stronger, safer, and better. Our collective efforts contributed to the preservation of current Peace Corps funding levels in the President’s budget request to Congress.
On May 30, the Trump administration released additional details about its proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget, including a request to maintain the Peace Corps’ $430.5 million appropriation. In light of recent concerns within our community, NPCA applauds this positive step toward supporting the vital mission of the Peace Corps.
The Peace Corps continues to play a critical role in America’s international development and national service efforts. While we welcome this encouraging news, we remain deeply concerned about the broader harm to our international and service infrastructure. This includes the near-total dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development, proposed cuts to the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the closure of the U.S. Institute of Peace, the proposed elimination of AmeriCorps, and more.
Thousands of dedicated, passionate public servants—many of whom are returned Peace Corps Volunteers—have had their lives disrupted as their community-building and lifesaving work has been abruptly ended. In sharing stories of our Peace Corps experience, we can also lift up the importance and need for a comprehensive and humane foreign policy, and the unifying nature of national service.
Peace Corps Advocacy: Stay Vigilant and Engaged
As we celebrate a key development for Peace Corps funding and commend both our NPCA community advocates and the Trump administration for taking a step in the right direction, we recognize that this is only the beginning. Congress must now begin its work to finalize the federal spending package for Fiscal Year 2026.
We urge our community to stay vigilant and engaged with their representatives in Congress in the weeks and months ahead. It is critical that current Peace Corps funding levels be maintained, and that other essential elements of our foreign policy and national service agenda be restored.
NPCA will continue to monitor budget developments and keep our community informed. Much also depends on forthcoming decisions about agency leadership, including the President’s nomination of the next Peace Corps Director. We will continue to advocate for leaders who are committed to preserving and expanding the Peace Corps’ mission around the world.
Our continued compassionate outreach—both at home and abroad—is what truly makes America great.