ServeNext and ServiceNation Announce Merger!

Dear ServeNext Community,

When we started ServeNext five years ago, the details about how we were going to fight for national service were unclear.  But one thing was crystal clear: after four consecutive years of cuts in Congress, there needed to be a powerful grassroots army of advocates who would refuse to let this stand.

Today, I’m humbled to report that with your support, ServeNext has become that organization.  Our efforts have repeatedly staved off crippling cuts to AmeriCorps and other great national service programs. We’ve won support from presidential candidates to help pave the way for the bipartisan Serve America Act.  And over the last two years, we’ve expanded our work and now have an annual team of field organizers.

These victories have kept the wind in our sails, but in the face of new and evolving political challenges that threaten the national service movement, we need to get bigger, better, and stronger.

That’s why I’m excited to announce that ServeNext is joining forces with ServiceNation, the national bipartisan campaign dedicated to increasing service opportunities and elevating service as a core ideal and problem-solving strategy in America.  By combining our resources, skills, and staffs, we will increase our efficiency and our impact at a time when both are needed.

ServeNext will be acquired by Be The Change, Inc., the parent organization of the ServiceNation campaign, and will serve as the grassroots advocacy arm of the campaign. Moving forward, the activities and operations of both ServiceNation and ServeNext will occur under the ServiceNation banner.

We are grateful for the support of both Boards of Directors who unanimously approved this decision.  We are grateful to our funders, partners, and field organizers who are excited about the merger and the many who provided invaluable guidance along the way.

And, of course, we are grateful to you, our members, and our field team. It’s because of individuals stepping up to fight for national service that has made ServeNext successful.  That success is the reason we’re in a position to take this great step.

We will be rolling out more details in the near future, but I want to share some initial benefits:

1)    Our budget from 2011 to 2012 will double – this means doubling our staff and significantly increasing the capacity of our grassroots operations;
2)    Be The Change, Inc.’s larger team will provide a huge increase in support and expertise for fundraising, communication, strategy, and more;
3)    ServeNext’s team will spend less time managing the back office and more time fighting for national service.

In other words, 1+1=3.

The years ahead in Congress are going to be turbulent. But as a result of this merger, we’re putting ourselves in the best position possible to succeed at a time when our children, communities, and the entire country deeply need a robust national service movement.

I’m excited, our team is excited, and we hope you are too.  There are plenty more details to come, but please let me know if you have questions or thoughts in the meantime.

Thank you for your support, passion, and commitment to ServeNext.  I hope you will continue to support our work as part of ServiceNation.  We’re still the same ServeNext, just bigger, better, and stronger.

Zach