MSA 2023-2024 Annual Report

Commonwealth Corps

2023-2024 Annual Report Equipping Tomorrow’s Workforce Through Service Today

98 N Washington St Suite 400 Boston, MA 02114

www.mass-service.org

Massachusets Service Alliance

Annual Report

Table of Contents Page 2 ............. Letter from MSA’s CEO and Board Chair Page 3-4............................................. Spotlight on AmeriCorps Page 5-6 .................. Spotlight on Commonwealth Corps Page 7-9 ................... Spotlight on Volunteerism Initiatives Page 10-12 ...................................... Our Community Outreach and Engagement Efforts

Page 13 ................................................ Our Fiscal Responsibility Page 14 ....................................................... Our Board and Team

Members excited to be at 2024 AmeriCorps Opening Day

Leela Srinivasan Guest Speaker at 2024 AmeriCorps Opening Day AmeriCorps Member | Social Capital Inc.

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From Beth

McGuinness, CEO

and Louise

Keogh Weed, Board Chair

Dear Friends, Like so many organizations, the Massachusetts Service Alliance finds itself navigating a time of great uncertainty. In these moments, we find it essential to look back on the successes we’ve had to feed the soul and provide energy for what lies ahead. It is in that spirit that we invite you to join us in celebrating the tremendous work of the past year that we accomplished together.

As we reflect on the last year, one of the themes that stands out is the importance of the service-to-career pathway that this work represents. Service is a critical tool – not just because of the effect it has within communities – but also because of the effect it can have on the people who choose to serve. The opportunity to serve can provide a critical pathway to new and exciting career opportunities through the extensive and intentional training and hands-on experience offered by our AmeriCorps programs and Commonwealth Corps host sites. Our Youth Career Pathways Initiative partners allow young people the chance to explore potential careers and develop professional skills through service-learning opportunities and by engaging with skilled volunteers from the community.

At a time when Massachusetts is facing workforce shortages and losing residents to opportunities in other states, organizations that engage AmeriCorps members, Commonwealth Corps members, and volunteers offer a space to build and deepen connections to our great Commonwealth while allowing people the opportunity to expand and refine their skills. But to truly realize this benefit, organizations must have the tools and resources to do this effectively and that’s where we come in – by ensuring that organizations have the resources, knowledge, and expertise needed to maximize their impact. MSA is proud to be the steward of this work.

As you’ll read in the pages that follow, our partners honor their commitments to our communities and to their members and volunteers who serve each and every day and, for that, we are grateful. We want to acknowledge the MSA board and staff for their leadership and dedication to this work. MSA’s board members are our ambassadors in the field who combine their expertise and passion for service and volunteerism. To the MSA staff team, we feel incredibly fortunate to have such a talented and committed team. Thank you for the creativity and resilience that each of you bring to the work every day.

In closing, we hope you find inspiration in the pages that follow – to feed your soul and to draw energy for the days ahead.

Massachusets Service Alliance

Annual Report

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Spotlight on AmeriCorps Springfield College AmeriCorps Springfield College AmeriCorps empowers both youth and aspiring professionals.

Members, many studying social work or school counseling, mentor K–12 students schools and community programs. “Working with elementary school students weekly has been deeply enriching,” shared Aliya Yacteen, a first-year graduate student in Springfield College's Social Work program. Members support youth with social-emotional learning, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), small groups, and college readiness while gaining hands-on experience in the field.

The program, now 25+ years strong, delivers real impact. Graduate student Nicole Henkel recalled helping a teen submit their first college application and win scholarships during the Massachusetts College Application Celebration. “The joy on their face was priceless,” she said. These experiences reflect the program’s dual mission: uplifting youth and preparing future educators and counselors for meaningful careers.

Support from the Massachusetts Service Alliance (MSA) helped the program reach 92% enrollment in 2024. “AmeriCorps has given me the skills and confidence to pursue a career in education,” said graduate School Counseling student Leslie Ramos. Through AmeriCorps, students find purpose, and the community gains passionate, trained mentors.

AmeriCorps: At a Glance AmeriCorps is a launchpad for lifelong civic engagement and leadership.

2,146

7,378

59,223

AmeriCorps members completed their service, collectively earning over $8.1 million in Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards

volunteers recruited or managed

youth and children served

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BPE/Boston Promise AmeriCorps Program “MSA is a true partner with us in our work.”

The Boston Promise AmeriCorps program, a long-standing workforce development initiative operated by BPE, continues to demonstrate how service can be a transformative pathway into public education. “MSA’s support was critical in helping us enroll a full cohort this past year,” says Melanie Winklosky, Chief Advancement Officer of BPE. That same year, BPE hired a key staff member through the BC College Advising Corps, another MSA-supported initiative.

Boston Promise AmeriCorps members serve in two local schools, where they gain valuable experience while supporting student learning through small group instruction, enrichment programming, and family engagement. During the 2023–2024 program year, three former paraprofessionals joined the program to prepare for careers as lead teachers. The results speak for themselves: over 90% of members who transitioned into teacher residency programs secured teaching positions, while others pursued further education, jobs working with students, or continued their AmeriCorps service.

Ruth Koha James, AmeriCorps Alum

Social Capital Inc. (METCO, Inc.) & Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts “I became an AmeriCorps member immediately after completing my graduate studies. Upon earning my Master of Science in Nonprofit Management and Philanthropy, I sought a job in the nonprofit sector and accepted an offer to serve as an AmeriCorps member; it was a seamless transition from school to a service role.”

Through her two AmeriCorps terms serving with Social Capital Inc. and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts, Ruth developed skills in mentorship, volunteer engagement, and youth programming tools she continues to use in her staff role at the MIRA Coalition.

“My AmeriCorps experiences have significantly impacted both my previous and current jobs. They have broadened my perspective on mentorship; I've learned that we can all be mentors, even in the workplace.”

Massachusets Service Alliance

Annual Report

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Spotlight on Commonwealth Corps Whale and Dolphin Conservation Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) became a Commonwealth Corps host site through a growing partnership with the Massachusetts Service Alliance (MSA), helping to remove long-standing barriers in the field of marine science and conservation.

Unpaid internships and high relocation costs have historically excluded candidates from economically vulnerable backgrounds, especially people of the global majority, from entering the field. Through the support of MSA and Commonwealth Corps, WDC now offers paid service opportunities to individuals with little to no experience in conservation, providing them with the skills, content knowledge, and confidence to pursue careers in environmental education and marine science.

Before partnering with MSA, WDC had only one education staff member. In the 2022– 2023 school year, they reached 6,000 people through 66 programs. With the addition of two Commonwealth Corps members in 2023–2024, WDC delivered 96 programs to over 8,400 individuals, a 45% increase in programming, and a 40% rise in individual engagement. Program evaluations showed strong outcomes: 76% of K–5 students answered every curriculum-based question correctly, 78% of older students reported increased curiosity about science careers, and 89% discovered career paths they hadn’t previously considered. “Our partnership with MSA is not only expanding our reach,” Briannah Baptista, WDC Education Coordinator, shares, “it’s shaping the next generation of scientists and conservation leaders.”

Commonwealth Corps: At a Glance Members gain real-world skills while tackling critical needs across Massachusetts.

82%

2,000

1,041,814

of host sites reported seeing members demonstrate new or expanded skills

individuals served in Massachusetts

volunteer hours supported by members

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Harleen Kochar, Commonwealth Corps Alum Nevins Library “I was born into a religion that strongly emphasizes service. For us, serving others is a form of worship. Because of this, the mission of the Commonwealth Corps resonated deeply with me. At the time, I was also new to Massachusetts and believed that participating in the [Commonwealth] Corps would be a great way to contribute to my new community.

I had the incredible opportunity to assist a talented student from Afghanistan in securing a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council for creative individuals. It was a privilege to help translate his poignant poems and craft captions for his stunning photographs.”

“The values of service and humility that were instilled in me through my experience with the Commonwealth Corps continue to shape my professional life today. This profound attitude not only enhances my character but also enriches my work in a deeply rewarding and productive manner. Embracing these principles has transformed my interactions and approach, allowing me to connect with others meaningfully and fostering an environment of collaboration and respect.”

95%

of members think that they were offered meaningful development opportunities

86%

of members said their experience directly helped them with next steps for their career

89% of members said that their experience has increased feeling a part of their community

Massachusets Service Alliance

Annual Report

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Spotlight on Volunteerism Initiatives LEAP for Education “MSA helped us develop best practices for appreciating, onboarding, and retaining volunteers,” says Caitlynn Almy, Volunteer and Partnerships Coordinator. These changes have had a major impact: the number of volunteers involved in LEAP programs has tripled, and the addition of a dedicated Volunteer & Partnership Coordinator, funded through MSA support, has increased the organization’s capacity to build sustainable community partnerships. New collaborations with Salem State University and Endicott College have brought in a steady stream of college interns preparing for education careers, some of whom have transitioned into paid roles at LEAP. Meanwhile, junior group leaders from the local high school and AmeriCorps/Commonwealth Corps members are gaining hands-on experience supporting middle school students with social-emotional and academic growth.

LEAP’s Summer Work Program has also flourished, welcoming over 25 local professionals as guest speakers and 100 community volunteers as student mentors, expanding students’ social capital and deepening LEAP’s ties to the community.

Through MSA’s guidance, LEAP has shifted toward a solutions-oriented, strengthsbased culture of volunteerism. “Our staff are now better equipped to train, onboard, and retain volunteers,” says Caitlynn. “And our Business Partner Network is stronger thanks to MSA’s coaching on how to set expectations and pitch opportunities effectively.” The result is a volunteer-powered model that not only supports underserved students but also develops the future education and nonprofit workforce in Massachusetts.

VGF at a Glance In the 2024 fiscal year alone, MSA directly empowered 1,407 volunteers who contributed 40,968 hours - an estimated value of $1,729,656.

“My experiences with LEAP have helped me build my skills, helped me prepare for life beyond middle school and high school. It solidified my interest in medicine and brain science. LEAP has helped me plan for the future in a way that I don’t think I would have gotten anywhere else.”

Kelly L.

Longtime LEAP student, current College Success Program participant and post Summer Work Program mentee

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Community Harvest “Participation in the Service Enterprise Certification program has allowed us to be recognized for our effort and continue to improve it.”

At Community Harvest Project (CHP), volunteerism is more than just a way to give back – it’s a pathway to leadership. Six of the twelve current staff members began as volunteers at CHP, including two who served as AmeriCorps VISTAs (Volunteers in Service to America), a national service program that focuses on combating poverty by strengthening organizations' capacity to address low-income community needs. Another staff member began her nonprofit career as a VISTA at a different organization, and CHP currently hosts a VISTA focused on building its communications capacity.

Volunteerism, both at CHP and beyond, has given staff members a community, helped them build skills, and introduced them to lifelong friends and mentors.

CHP’s Executive Director, Tori Buerschaper, embodies this journey. She began her nonprofit career as a VISTA in 2013: “Two years of service gave me a much greater understanding of the difficulties of being in poverty, from the many confusing social services to navigate, to the stigmatization one feels when using a service like SNAP. It gave me greater appreciation of the privilege and safety net I have, like being able to use savings to do 2 years of service, support from my network while I was in service, and the luxury of knowing when my service would end (whereas real poverty has no end date). The reason I became a VISTA was to explore a new career path. I started as an education coordinator and while nutrition and gardening education did not end up being right for me, working at a non-profit exposed me to a way to utilize my business degree that I had never considered. This led me to my current path and passion of nonprofit management, and the position of Executive Director at CHP.” CHP’s mission is to engage and educate volunteers to grow fruits and vegetables for hunger relief, so the work cannot be done without volunteers. Providing a top-tier volunteer experience is critical to their success. Participation in the Service Enterprise Certification program has allowed CHP to be recognized for its commitment to volunteerism and to continuously improve its practices. The certification process has encouraged regular evaluations of volunteer engagement and sparked new ideas for enhancing the experience. Recently, CHP transitioned to virtual volunteer training, allowing all staff to reflect on and improve their support strategies - strengthening both the volunteer experience and team collaboration on the farm.

Recent technology and process updates have strengthened this commitment. CHP completed a full update of its Salesforce system for both volunteer and fundraising data, improving their ability to analyze and connect these efforts. They also introduced SignUpGenius to give Volunteer Team Leaders more direct involvement in scheduling. In 2026, they plan to add video training modules for key volunteer roles - another step toward expanding access and impact.

In 2024 alone, CHP hosted 6,339 volunteers, supported by 31 Volunteer Team Leaders and 10 program interns. Their combined efforts led to the donation of 188,501 pounds, or 1,131,613 servings, of fresh fruits and vegetables to 26 hunger relief partners. Through these partnerships, approximately 60,800 individuals in eastern and central Massachusetts received healthy, locally grown produce.

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LaunchSpace Turning Barriers into Blueprints for Change When FT joined the Fall ’24 Engage cohort, they were navigating significant personal challenges -housing insecurity, food instability, and limited access to tools or reliable internet. Despite these barriers, FT brought a powerful vision to the table: making electronics education radically accessible through open-source, hands-on learning. An Electrical Engineering student at UMass Amherst, FT is also a dedicated freelancer and educator committed to equity in STEM. During the program, FT designed a series of DIY, music-focused electronics kits - built from everyday materials like Altoid tins - and soft-launched their business, ODD Harmonics. They quickly emerged as a volunteer leader in the electronics studio, mentoring peers and launching a free workshop series that introduced beginners to circuits and creativity through DIY musical instruments.

With support from Engage, FT stabilized their food access, built a fully functional DIY synth and bass, and published a capstone zine titled Schematics—a creative guide to electronics and sound. Their dedication culminated in the public debut of a handbuilt synthesizer at a community event. What began as a personal project grew into a movement—empowering others through hands-on, alternative education and open-source tools.

FT’s journey powerfully reflects the Engage mission: transforming obstacles into opportunities and personal passion into lasting community impact.

16,001 youth supported through our Youth Career Pathways Initiative

Massachusets Service Alliance

Annual Report

page 10

Our Community Outreach and Engagement Effort

During 2023 and 2024 we successfully worked on events and initiatives to further MSA’s reach and effectiveness, including the following highlights: Engaging Legislators at MSA Events

Hosted the 2024 Massachusetts Conference on Volunteerism, featuring State Senator Robyn Kennedy Celebrated AmeriCorps Opening Day in both 2023 and 2024: 2023: Featured a keynote by Heather Jenkins, CEO of The Literacy Lab, and a swearing-in ceremony led by State Representative William J. Driscoll, Jr., a FEMA Corps alum 2024: Featured State Treasurer & Receiver General Deborah Goldberg and State Senator Liz Miranda Ran a virtual legislative briefing for freshmen State Senators and Representatives Hosted an Advocacy Day at the State House with MSA’s Board of Directors and the AmeriCorps Alumni Chapter of Massachusetts Policy & State Budget

Recruited new legislative champions — Senator Robyn Kennedy and Representative James Arena-DeRosa Re-filed and testified in support of a bill to remove state tax on the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award State Senator Liz Miranda speaking at 2024 AmeriCorps Opening Day

AmeriCorps Members taking their oath at 2024 AmeriCorps Opening Day

%

State Senator Robyn Kennedy speaking at our 2024 Conference on Volunteerism at the DCU Center in Worcester

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MSA Connects for Good Making a difference in Massachusetts The Massachusetts Service Alliance has partnered with Inspiring Service to provide MSAConnectsForGood.org, a state-of-the-art statewide 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.

1,151

231

Organizations

Stories of Service

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Our Partnership with the Boston Chapter of AmeriCorps Alums “AmeriCorps commitment doesn’t end with a term, but grows into a lifetime of impact.”

In 2023-2024, MSA proudly continued its partnership with AmeriCorps Alums of Massachusetts, a vibrant network of AmeriCorps alumni committed to civic engagement, service, and equity across the Commonwealth. Through collaborative events, statewide outreach, and shared leadership development goals, we’ve worked together to activate alumni voices and foster lifelong pathways of service.

This year, AC Alums expanded its impact through initiatives focused on workforce development and leadership cultivation. With MSA’s support, the chapter hosted career panels, networking events, and professional development workshops designed to help members and alumni transition from service into mission-driven careers across the nonprofit, education, and public service sectors. These efforts not only empowered alumni but strengthened Massachusetts’ civic infrastructure by preparing a new generation of leaders rooted in service.

Together, MSA and AC Alums are building a stronger, more connected alumni community, one that sustains the spirit of AmeriCorps long after a service term ends, and ensures that the values of service, leadership, and equity continue to thrive in every corner of the Commonwealth.

AmeriCorps Alums of Massachusetts: At a Glance A lifelong network of servicedriven leaders.

80

8

connected AmeriCorps Alums

Events hosted throughout the year for Alums and members

Massachusets Service Alliance

Annual Report

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Our Fiscal Responsibility “We are stewards of public trust.”

What does "stewardship" mean to the Finance Team? As the State Service Commission for Massachusetts, our role is to distribute resources equitably and ensure they are spent appropriately. It’s our responsibility to transparently manage all public (government) funds that we are awarded. And, to meaningfully collaborate with our partners to help them operate more effectively.

FY24 Expenses by Area Sub-grants (82%)

Service C Other Program Expenses & Support (13%) Admin (5%)

FY24 Financials Operating Revenues Federal ............................................ $16,730,821 State .................................................... $2,022,239 Program Revenue & other ............. $120,715 Contributions ....................................... $25,020

Operating Expenses AmeriCorps .................................... $16,602,411 Commonwealth Corps .................. $966,169 Volunteer Generation Fund ....... $435,445 General & Administrative ............ $938,947

Total operating revenue

Total operating expenses

$18,898,795

$18,942,972

Changes in net assets from operations ................................................................................................................. ($44,177) Net investment income ................................................................................................................................................... $180,743 Changes in net assets without donor restrictions .......................................................................................... $136,566

Areas of Accomplishments in FY24 Clean Audit: Received another unmodified audit opinion New Tools: Improved sub-grantee and monitoring management Team Training: Strengthened federal regulation knowledge Growth: Expanded roles for Finance team members Support: Provided 1:1 fiscal training to nonprofits

Massachusets Service Alliance

Annual Report

Our Board Leadership Board Chair Vice Chair Secretary Treasurer

Louise Keogh Weed Janelle Fouché Charla Hixson Joe Oliveira

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Our Team Sarah Louise Adamczyk Controller

Charline Alexandre-Joseph Chief Program Officer

Sybelle Etienne

Grants & Fiscal Compliance Officer

Andrea Farren

AmeriCorps Program Compliance Officer

Members Lawrence Bailis* Lindsay Bennett-Jacobs Candace Burns Ayanna Crawford Susie Flug-Silva Osin Ghimire Ralph Hogan Tyissha Jones-Horner Simone Lawrence Grace Lichaa James Lin** Kristen McKinnon Midori Morikawa Cecilio Orta Eric Solem* Helene Horan Winn* *Board Member through Spring 2024 **Board Member through Spring 2025

Saba Fiazuddin

Program & Operations Associate

Lisl Hacker*

Director of Training and Technical Assistance

Jared Jones

AmeriCorps Program & Grantmaking Officer

Suzana Kantardzic

Director of AmeriCorps

Sally Kim

Associate Commonwealth Corps Program Manager

Mayan Kleiman

Grants & Fiscal Compliance Associate

Katie Koski*

Senior Program Development and Training Officer

Julia Lee-Papastavros*

Communications and Marketing Associate

Samantha Mackie Communications & Marketing Associate

Beth McGuinness

Chief Executive Officer

Lindsay Rooney

Director of Operations & External Affairs

Peter Tam

AmeriCorps Program Officer

Victoria Tucker

Commonwealth Corps Program Manager

Abdullahi Yusuf

Assistant Controller

Ian Whalen-Stone

Program Officer for Volunteer Initiatives *These staff members concluded their service with the organization. We are grateful for their contributions.

Massachusetts Service Alliance staff at 2024 AmeriCorps Opening Day

Massachusets Service Alliance

Annual Report

Massachusetts Service Alliance 98 N Washington St Suite 400 Boston, MA 02114

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, ServiceLearning training and implementation grants, and our volunteer portal MSA Connects for Good.

@massservice

Massachusetts Service Alliance

MSA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit

@massservice

www.mass-service.org

@massvolunteers