ANNUAL REPORT
SteadyLeadershipinaChanging Landscape: Guiding service, strengthening communities, and expanding meaningful impact across Massachusetts.
Rooted in service, Leading what’s next.
We’re proud to share the Massachusetts Service Alliance Annual Report, showcasing a year of impact, resilience, and unwavering commitment to service.
A Message from Beth
A MESSAGE FROM BETH
Dear Friends,
This report reflects our work across 2024 and into 2025 a period that brought real challenges for our organization and for the service and volunteerism field across Massachusetts
Alongside our partners, we navigated significant transitions and disruptions, often responding in ways that felt far outside the norm Many organizations and programs were left trying to make sense of constant change, with little clarity about what lay ahead.
During this time, MSA committed to showing up with transparency, honesty, and steadiness We acknowledged the uncertainty when we felt it ourselves and worked to offer practical options that gave organizations greater choice and control in how they moved forward. These circumstances led to difficult decisions across the field To those who chose to step away, we respect your decision and thank you for your contributions to our collective work To those who have remained, we are deeply grateful for your partnership and we are committed to navigating what comes next together
While this period has not been easy, it has also highlighted the strength and resilience of this field Time and again, our partners rose to meet the moment in ways that inspire confidence in what lies ahead.
With that in mind, I’m pleased to share that MSA has finalized a new State Service Plan to guide our work through 2028. This plan sets an ambitious but grounded path forward, rooted in both the realities we face and the opportunities before us It focuses on four key priorities:
Diversifying our funding base
Strengthening how we access and use data to inform decisions
Conducting a comprehensive statewide needs assessment
Expanding and deepening partnerships across Massachusetts
Together, these priorities position us to build a stronger, more adaptable foundation for the future of service and volunteerism in our communities
Thank you for being part of this work. We look forward to continuing our partnership as we strengthen communities through service and we hope you take pride in all that was accomplished this past year
In Service, Beth
A MESSAGE FROM JANELLE
This past year marked my first as Board Chair of the Massachusetts Service Alliance, and it has been both an honor and a profound learning experience In a time of uncertainty and transition across our field, I have had the opportunity to witness up close the resilience and deep commitmentthatdefinethiscommunity
Like so many organizations and partners across Massachusetts, MSA navigated a year that required us to hold two truths at once: 1) the challenges facing service and volunteerism are realand, attimes, dauntingand2) thepotentialfor impact and transformation through this work remainsaspowerfulasever
Throughout this period, I have been continually inspired by the way our partners, programs, and sub-grantees have shown up. In moments of uncertainty, you adapted. In moments of disruption, you led And in every moment, you remained committed to strengthening communities across the Commonwealth It is impossible to fully capture the scope of what you haveaccomplished, butitisdeeplyfelt
I am equally in awe of the MSA team, whose steady leadership and dedication have guided the organization through this time with clarity and purpose Together, the Board and staff have worked to ensure that MSA remains not only responsive to the moment, but also positioned for thefuture.
That future is already taking shape This year, MSA finalized a new State Service Plan to guide our work through 2028, which is an ambitious and grounded roadmap focused on strengthening the sustainability, effectiveness, and reach of service across Massachusetts. As Board Chair, I am proud to help steward this vision alongside our leadership and in partnership with all of you Service has always asked something of us: to show up even when conditions are imperfect, to believe in possibility even when outcomes are uncertain, and to continue building toward a more just and connected society. This year has made that truth even more visible.
Thank you for your partnership, your leadership, and your unwavering commitment to this work It is a privilege to serve alongside you
In
Service,
Janelle Fouché, PhD Board Chair, Massachusetts Service Alliance
Building a Better Massachusetts
SteadyLeadershipinaChanging Landscape: Guiding service, strengthening communities, and expanding meaningful impact across Massachusetts.
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 serve as the Commonwealth’s commission on service and volunteerism and put the bulk of our efforts into three primary program areas: AmeriCorps, Commonwealth Corps, and Volunteerism Initiatives In addition, we provide training and support to build the capacity of organizations to ensure that they have the knowledge and capability to extend their impact with volunteers and corps members.
How MSA Does the Work
We advance our mission of strengthening effective volunteerism and service in Massachusetts by providing organizations and individuals with funding, training, resources, and education
We guide organizations in accessing federal and state funding and award grants to support critical needs across the Commonwealth
We support organizations in strengthening their volunteer management practices and expanding the role volunteerism and service play in achieving their missions
We help organizations navigate complex federal and state regulations and provide the infrastructure to place individuals directly in service with local nonprofits
We promote programs and funding opportunities and tell stories of programmatic impact via advocacy and social media
National Impact in Action
SteadyLeadershipinaChanging Landscape: Guiding service, strengthening communities, and expanding meaningful impact across Massachusetts.
Anchored in Service
AmeriCorpsinMassachusetts
Amid a rapidly changing landscape, AmeriCorps programs across Massachusetts continue to provide steady, reliable leadership in communities statewide. Through sustained service, partnerships, and deep community engagement, AmeriCorps members help organizations adapt, grow, and deliver lasting impact where it is needed most.
Building on that steadiness, AmeriCorps programs serve as a bridge between immediate needs and long-term capacity building, bringing consistency and commitment that help communities move through change with resilience and confidence.
Across the Commonwealth, this steady presence translates into measurable impact:
AmerCorps Members taking their Pledge to Get Things Done at the 2025 AmeriCorps Opening Day
Spotlight on AmeriCorps
PerkinsSchoolfortheBlind
MSA’s funding, training, and support have been essential to Perkins School for the Blind’s AmeriCorps program, enabling the development of a service model that supports over 175 students with multiple disabilities and visual impairments (MDVI) and DeafBlindness each day As a planning grantee, Perkins was able to design and launch a program grounded in both student need and service member development, with ongoing guidance from MSA staff MSA support has strengthened program infrastructure through training, cohorts, and technical assistance in recruitment, retention, compliance, and performance measurement. These resources have helped Perkins adapt and grow while maintaining a focus on expanding access for students across a 38-acre campus, including support for independent living, communication access, orientation and mobility, assistive technology, and vocational exploration.
Through its partnership with TerraCorps, Perkins has welcomed AmeriCorps members who provide direct support to students and classrooms.
“TerraCorps was a perfect match for my science classrooms Camille built a silkworm lab, ordered the caterpillar eggs, and hand reared over 100 caterpillars for my classes to observe,” shared Kris Bayne, Science teacher. Additional staff noted AmeriCorps members’ impact across adaptive PE, vocational programs, and classroom instruction, highlighting their ability to build strong relationships and support student independence.
Through this partnership, AmeriCorps members not only strengthen daily learning experiences for over 175 students, but also gain meaningful, hands-on experience in education and disability services. MSA’s support ensures both student success and the development of emerging professionals committed to inclusive service.
“AlltheAmeriCorps membershavebeen ahugehelpto Perkinsinsomany ways.”
- Arnie Harris, music teacher in Secondary School
Q&A
WITHAMERICORPSALUM
AMANDATRASK
Amanda helped coordinate Brockton’s Promise through the Massachusetts Promise Fellowship (MPF) program, serving with Brockton’s Promise at the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office host site Brockton’s Promise was a youth development coalition that aimed to serve as a blueprint for how agencies, family members, and youth can work together to break down silos that often exist in cities rich in services
Q
What moment best reflects your leadership, adaptability, or resilience during service?
MPF shifted priorities to have the Fellows be more in a direct service role I was able to continue my work with the coalition, but also able to delegate some duties to committee chairs while I also completed direct service work collaborating with other Fellows and youth organizations It ultimately benefited everyone and I learned to be ready for anything as adaptability is key in any type of role, but especially in working in human services
QHow did your service shape your approach to leadership and community work?
My years of service served as the backbone to my career as I still connect with folks I met 15 years ago. Our paths have connected across sectors, across communities and across professions as folks move, get new jobs, work for a funder agency, a vendor agency, etc, but the foundation of how we met more often than not led back to AmeriCorps.
Q
What skills or lessons from your service have stayed with you?
The trainings centered around justice, injustice, and the importance of connection and belonging have always stayed with me and inspired me to strive to foster a sense of hope every day in some way
Q
Where are you now after your service with AmeriCorps?
I work at the Old Colony Y as the Vice President of Shelter & Community Justice Support Centers (CJSC) Operations. During my years of service I earned a graduate certificate in nonprofit management from Northeastern University. I have stayed engaged with MPF through various alum events and by serving as a mentor in the past in their Fellow Alumni Mentoring (FAM) program
Amanda Trask Massachusetts Promise Fellowship ‘11 & ’12
Connecting People to Purpose
SteadyLeadershipinaChanging Landscape: Guiding service, strengthening communities, and expanding meaningful impact across Massachusetts.
Community-Driven Impact CommonwealthCorpsinMassachusetts
In a time of ongoing change, Commonwealth Corps members provide consistent, communitycentered support to organizations across Massachusetts. This state-funded service program, strengthened by contributions from host site partners, expands organizational capacity, addresses critical needs, and deepens local partnerships across the Commonwealth.
Rooted in the communities where they live and serve, Commonwealth Corps members bring a deep understanding of local challenges and opportunities. Their work builds connection, advances equity, and fosters sustainable, community-driven impact, ensuring that organizations and residents alike are better equipped to navigate change.
Across the Commonwealth, this steady presence translates into measurable impact:
Spotlight on CommonwealthCorps ProjectCitizenship
Rising anti-immigrant sentiment, shifting U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services policies, and heightened fear of deportation have significantly increased demand for trusted legal guidance Project Citizenship's Commonwealth Corps members have helped the organization adapt to this ever-changing landscape with flexibility, care, and communitycentered outreach. To address shifting needs, members expanded outreach beyond Project Citizenship’s existing relationships, building trust with libraries, ESOL classes, schools, and youth-serving organizations. By bringing services into spaces where immigrants already feel safe, members helped demystify the citizenship process and connect community members with reliable information and support They also strengthened referral networks with partner organizations, ensuring clients could access comprehensive services during a period of heightened uncertainty.
Support from the Massachusetts Service Alliance (MSA) has strengthened Project Citizenship’s capacity to respond strategically to these challenges. Through a community mapping project led by Commonwealth Corps members, the organization identified gaps in its client base and developed new outreach strategies to reach historically underserved communities. In just three months, members represented Project Citizenship at 20 community events and information sessions, researched more than 400 organizations for outreach, and mapped 200 current and potential partners.
MSA’s broader network has also connected members with peers across the Commonwealth, creating opportunities to share resources exchange strategies, and expand awareness of these supports have helped the organization remain and resilient while continuing to serve immigrant communities with
Q&A
WITHCOMMONWEALTH
CORPSALUMJEFFREY ANTHONY
As a Reentry Coach at THRIVE Communities, Jeffrey gained valuable hands-on experience in his chosen field The role provided him with an opportunity to develop his skills, deepen his understanding of the work, and build a foundation for his future career
What moment best reflects your leadership, adaptability, or resilience during service?
The opportunity to grow within the work and the freedom to implement ideas that came up.
The different training and professional development opportunities that were afforded. What skills or lessons from your service have stayed with you? Q Q
QHow did your service shape your approach to leadership and community work?
My service helped me to be more empathetic and thoughtful in a way that otherwise would have been harder to do.
Q
Where are you now after your service with Commonwealth Corps?
Director at THRIVE Communities
Jeffrey Anthony THRIVE Communities
Building Connections Through Volunteering
SteadyLeadershipinaChanging Landscape: Guiding service, strengthening communities, and expanding meaningful impact across Massachusetts.
Mobilizing Communities for Change
VolunteerismInitiativesinMassachusetts
Amid a rapidly changing landscape, MSA’s Volunteerism Initiatives provide steady leadership by strengthening how organizations across Massachusetts engage and support volunteers. Through training, funding, and capacity-building support, MSA helps nonprofits and public agencies adapt their volunteer programs to meet evolving needs
By investing in organizational capacity and expanding access to tools and resources, these initiatives ensure volunteer programs remain resilient, responsive, and effective over time
Across the Commonwealth, this steady presence translates into measurable impact: 12,281 hours of community service (valued at $2.46M)
volunteers directly empowered youth engaged across K–12 programs 7,426
Spotlight on VolunteerismInitiatives
TheMarionInstitute,Inc
Through the Service Enterprise Initiative (SEI) program, supported by the Massachusetts Service Alliance (MSA), the Marion Institute strengthened its ability to understand, value, and integrate volunteer engagement across its work While the organization did not previously operate a formal volunteer program, SEI revealed the extent of existing volunteer involvement and prompted a deeper examination of internal practices. With support from MSA through this program, this shift led to more intentional systems for elevating volunteers as essential contributors to the organization’s mission.
As a result of participation in the SEI program with MSA, the Marion Institute has improved how it supports, recognizes, and engages volunteers. With guidance and training through the program, the organization has begun refining its practices to ensure volunteers are treated as true extensions of its work, strengthening both programmatic impact and internal capacity. These changes have contributed to improved volunteer satisfaction, recognition, and retention, while also helping the organization better align volunteer engagement with its broader goals.
“The Service Enterprise certification program has been instrumental in providing our organization with training, resources, and best practices for creating a successful volunteer program. Prior to this program, we engaged with volunteers on an ad-hoc basis and didn't fully understand the impact that a formal volunteer process could have on our organization We have completely overhauled our processes and in doing so, volunteers have become a powerful force in informing our work and exceeding our programmatic Director of Human Resources and Operations
“Overall,theSEI programishelpingus strengthenour programmaticimpact andimprovevolunteer satisfaction, recognition,and retention."
- Elizabeth Wiley, Executive Director
Q&A
WITHPACEALUM
PATTIBRADLEY
The People Acting In Community Endeavors (PACE) program, a Service Enterprise Site in New Bedford, MA, began in 1979 as the Onboard Head Start program Patti began her involvement as a parent volunteer in a preschool classroom serving 20 children ages 3 and 4 In her role as a parent volunteer, she supported the classroom teacher by reading stories to the children and assisting with classroom activities and mealtimes.
What moment best reflects your leadership, adaptability, or resilience during service?
The classroom teachers, Loretta Cruz and Trudy Medeiros, were positive role models for me as well as the children and other parents in the program They taught me so much about developmentally appropriate skills for the children
How did your service shape your approach to leadership and community work?
I had such a positive experience The teachers taught me many skills to work with the children and parents in the program They encouraged me to continue my education and become a classroom lead teacher myself I did become a Lead Teacher for the program and did that for more than 10 years I also assisted in the development of the Home Based Program My role was to visit 10 families each week in their home, assist parents with developmentally appropriate preschool activities to complete with their children, and have one day each week that the children attended a classroom setting to assist in the development of appropriate social skills
What skills or lessons from your service have stayed with you? Q Q Q
I stayed with the program for about 16 years before moving on to another program, moving up to a Child Care Director position I worked with a team of up to 30 staff members and many volunteers I've learned many lessons that I brought with me throughout my career Through the Head Start Program I learned how to communicate effectively with adults and children I learned that listening is an important component of communication I've learned to be a positive role model and mentor to staff I've learned the importance of encouraging volunteers, and assisting them in using their skills to choose a field of employment that is the best fit for them I've learned how important it is to support volunteer and employee performance to encourage them to continue to grow and give their best
Patti Bradley PACE Program ‘79
Building Bridges Across Sectors
SteadyLeadershipinaChanging Landscape: Guiding service, strengthening communities, and expanding meaningful impact across Massachusetts.
MSA Connects for Good
MakingadifferenceinMassachusetts
MSAConnectsForGood.org is MSA’s
statewide volunteer platform to connect nonprofit organizations across Massachusetts with the people of the Commonwealth to help meet critical needs in their communities now and into the future. Volunteerism and service are powerful forces for social change.
That is why the Massachusetts Service Alliance is dedicated to broadening the capacity of the volunteer and service movement in our Commonwealth, providing individuals and organizations with the funding, training, and support they need to strengthen our communities.
Connects people to service opportunities statewide
Making it easier for individuals to find ways to get involved
Expands access to volunteer engagement and outreach
Supporting organizations in reaching and engaging more volunteers.
Helping turn one-time interest into ongoing service and commitment. Transforms interest into sustained community action
Connecting Communities to Service
Our Community Outreach
Expandingvolunteerismandservicetostrengthen communitiesacrossMassachusetts
During 2024 and 2025 we successfully worked on events and initiatives to further MSA’s reach and effectiveness, including the following highlights:
Engaging Legislators at MSA Events
Hosted AmeriCorps Opening Day for the 2024-2025 service year, featuring State Senator Liz Miranda and State Treasurer & Receiver General Deborah Goldberg.
Ran MSA’s First MiniLobby Day with MSA’s Board Members and AmeriCorps Alums of Massachusetts in March 2025
Cultivated new champions at the State House including State Representative Hannah Bowen (a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer!)
Policy & State Budget
Successfully advocated for a partial restoration of MSA’s line item in the FY25 State Budgetincreasing it to $1.686M
Filed and testified for a bill to remove state tax on the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award
State Senator Liz Miranda speaking to AmeriCorps members at the 2024 AmeriCorps Opening Day
State Representative Hannah Bowen speaking to Commonwealth Corps members at their 2025 Celebration of Service
Looking Ahead with Purpose
ContinuingtoLeadThroughTransition
As Massachusetts evolves, Massachusetts Service Alliance remains focused on strengthening service and civic engagement across the Commonwealth. Looking ahead, we will continue to expand opportunity, build partnerships, and support the systems that sustain volunteerism. We are committed to meeting community needs and ensuring service remains accessible, impactful, and responsive to the future.
State Service Plan
A look ahead at work that began in 2025: Listening to nonprofits and community partners across Massachusetts. Understanding the evolving needs of the service and volunteerism sector. Building a roadmap for responsive support and stronger partnerships. Coming next year: A closer look at the State Service Plan and its implementation
Advocacy Days
Invited AmeriCorps alumni to advocate for service in Massachusetts. Strengthened relationships with state and federal policymakers. Elevated the impact of national service through shared stories and experiences Looking ahead to expanded advocacy opportunities in 2026
Our Fiscal Responsibility
TheNumbersBehindImpact
This fiscal overview reflects our commitment to transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship of resources at Massachusetts Service Alliance. Every dollar invested supports service opportunities, strengthens communities, and expands civic engagement across the Commonwealth. The following data highlights how funding across AmeriCorps, Commonwealth Corps, Volunteer Generation Fund, and our partners translates into measurable impact.
FY25 Expenses by Area
FY25 Financials
Areas of Accomplishments in FY25
Clean Audit: Received another unmodified audit opinion
Collaboration: Built partnerships in and out of MSA
Continuous Improvement: Strengthened policies and implemented robust scenario planning
Investment in Technology: Transitioned manual processes to automatic ones
Technical Support: Provided 1:1 training support to sub-grantees
Our Team Our Board
Leadership
Board Chair
Vice Chair
Secretary
Treasurer
Jeffrey Anthony
Larry Bailis*
Amanda Bonilla**
Collin Buckner**
Candace Burns*
Janelle Fouché
Lindsay Bennett-Jacobs
Charla Hixson
Joe Oliveira
Members
Midori Morikawa*
Cecilio Orta
Anne Ostberg*
Shreya Sharma
Lisa Sihvonen-Binder
Susan Cheesman*
Ayanna Crawford*
Susie Flug-Silva
Osin Ghimire*
Ralph Hogan
Tyissha Jones-Horner*
Katherine Krehbiel**
Simone Lawrence*
Grace Lichaa
Tiffany Lillie**
Kristen McKinnon
Kimberly Sobrinho**
Eric Solem*
Grace Towler
Nicola Webbe**
Louise Keogh Weed*
Helene Horan Winn*
Hallie Zenga-Josephson*
*These board members concluded their service with the organization
We are grateful for their contributions
**These board members have since joined the team at MSA
Sarah Louise Adamczyk Controller
Charline Alexandre-Joseph* Chief Program Officer
Devon “Dev” Austrie** Senior Accountant
Sybelle Etienne* Grants & Fiscal Compliance Officer
Andrea Farren AmeriCorps Program Compliance Officer
Saba Fiazuddin Program & Operations Associate
Jared Jones AmeriCorps Program & Grantmaking Officer
Suzana Kantardzic Director of AmeriCorps
Sally Kim Associate Commonwealth Corps Program Manager
Mayan Kleiman Grants & Fiscal Compliance Officer
Jess Lazzara** Chief Program Officer
Samantha Mackie Communications & Marketing Associate
Beth McGuinness Chief Executive Officer
Lindsay Rooney Director of Operations & External Affairs
Peter Tam AmeriCorps Program Officer
Ian Whalen-Stone Program Officer for Volunteer Initiatives
Abdullahi Yusuf* Assistant Controller
Victoria Tucker Commonwealth Corps Program Manager
*These staff members have since concluded their time at MSA, we are grateful for their contributions
**These staff members have since joined the team at MSA
Massachusetts Service Alliance staff at 2025 AmeriCorps Opening Day
For over 30 years, the Massachusetts Service Alliance (MSA) has provided funding, training, and resources to hundreds of organizations across the Commonwealth, building their organizational capacity through service and volunteerism.
As Massachusetts’ official State Service Commission, we administer tens of millions in federal and state dollars annually via AmeriCorps State and Commonwealth Corps. We also offer a variety of training, mini-grants and resources focused on effective volunteer engagement and management, including Service Enterprise Initiative, Service-Learning training and implementation grants, and our volunteer portal MSA Connects for Good.
