FY 2027 U.S. Senate Peace Corps Funding Request
We had a deadline of April 27 for swift, steady action urging Senators to sign the annual Peace Corps funding letter. We had less than one week to ask Senators to sign the funding letter, which was authored this year by Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ). See who signed the letter below. The request was $479 million for the Peace Corps in Fiscal Year 2027—an increase from the current funding level of $410 million. The $479 million request is equal to the recommendation made for last fiscal year and matches this cycle's House of Representatives request authored by Representative John Garamendi (D-CA...
Peace Corps Reorganizing to Streamline Operations in Washington, DC
Following extensive dialogue and a period of review with Congress and discussions with the Peace Corps Employees Union, Peace Corps/Washington is preparing for a reorganization of the Washington, DC office. With this reorganization, the agency's intent is to streamline operations to improve communications, responsiveness to country offices, and improve overall efficiencies across the agency. This reorganization will not result in further reductions in workforce. Rather, it is focused on departmental restructuring and reporting streams. One important change is the consolidation of all country post management into a single leadership and operations division, with five geographic units: The Americas: Colombia, Costa Rica,...
Representatives in the House Show Bipartisan Support for Funding of the Peace Corps
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 16, 2026 Media Contact: Joe Shaffner, Vice President National Peace Corps Association, [email protected] Washington, DC – Last week, members of the House of Representatives rushed to meet a one week deadline of March 11 to sign on to a letter calling for a Fiscal Year 2027 (FY 27) funding increase for the Peace Corps. Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA and Returned Peace Corps Volunteer) and Delegate Amata Radewagen (R-American Samoa) co-authored the letter addressed to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs — calling for $479 million to be set aside...
Peace Corps Launches Tech Prosperity Corps Initiative
Today, the Peace Corps announced a new initiative, called Tech Prosperity Corps, to “recruit, train and deploy skilled Americans to support the adoption of artificial intelligence in Peace Corps host countries participating in the American AI Exports Program.” The initiative was announced at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 by Michael Kratsios, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology. According to acting Peace Corps Director Richard E. Swarttz, “By building technical capacity, supporting AI adoption across critical use cases, and addressing barriers to last-mile AI implementation, Tech Prosperity Corps volunteers will leverage American AI to expand access...
House Defeats Peace Corps Funding Cutting Amendment
Last Thursday evening, the House of Representatives defeated an amendment that called for further proposed cuts to the Peace Corps' Fiscal Year 2024 budget. The vote was 295 - 135 to defeat the amendment. 83 Republicans joined 212 Democrats to defeat the amendment. Use this link to see how your representative voted. Then, use this link to thank your rep (or express disappointment) for their vote. On Thursday, the House of Representatives considered the Fiscal Year 2024 State/Foreign Operations (S/FOPS) appropriations bill, with dozens of highly contentious amendments. This included a brief debate on an amendment to further cut funding for the Peace Corps. Use...
Senate Committee Recommends Peace Corps Funding Increase
Senate Appropriations Committee Advances Fiscal Year 2024 Spending Package with $448 Million for Peace Corps By Jonathan Pearson In a strong bipartisan vote on Thursday, July 20th, the Senate Appropriations Committee advanced a Fiscal Year 2024 (FY 2024) spending package for international affairs programs that includes $448 million for the Peace Corps — a four percent, $18 million increase over current funding for the agency. This vote is in sharp contrast to the recommendation of the House Appropriations Committee, which, just last week, approved its version of the State/Foreign Operations (SFOPS) spending package, which included a $20 million (4.6 percent) decrease in funding for the...
Peace Corps Documentary to be Broadcast Nationwide on PBS Stations
Starting on September 2, the Peace Corps documentary, A Towering Task: The Story of the Peace Corps will be available on PBS stations across the country. But there are still some regions that will need to request that their local stations air the documentary. A Towering Task: The Story of the Peace Corps is coming to PBS stations nationwide, starting September 2. You can help make sure this documentary airs in your region. With local PBS stations scheduling programming 2-3 months from air date, the time is now to reach out to your local station. The PBS World channel will host a nationwide broadcast premiere on...
Peace Corps, Other International Funding Facing Budget Cuts
For the first time in many years, both the Senate and House Appropriations Committees are both putting forward recommendations that would reduce funding for our nation’s international affairs programs. By Jonathan Pearson More than a month ago, negotiations on the federal debt ceiling which ultimately averted a default of U.S. financial obligations, included an agreement to cap most non-discretionary government spending for the next two years. Now, the Senate and House of Representatives are advancing their respective appropriations bills to fund the federal government for the fiscal year that begins October 1. Our nation's international affairs programs are on the chopping...
From Stuttering Kid to International Serial Entrepreneur
RPCV Craig Chavis Jr. overcame a severe speech impediment and the loss of his football dreams to find his calling in entrepreneurship — and his Peace Corps service played a crucial role in laying the groundwork. By Tiffany James As Holistic Business Coach and Founder of the Solo Creator Club, Craig Chavis Jr. (Peru 2014–16), helps entrepreneurs and creators start and grow profitable businesses. One of the tools he uses to achieve this mission is his book Burdens of a Dream, which not only serves as a wisdom guide for entrepreneurs but also a memoir exploring the life experiences, Peace Corps service, and business ventures that shaped...
Legislative Win in Colorado Grants All Returned Peace Corps Volunteers In-State Tuition
A Colorado bill was signed into law to address a major inequity: qualification for in-state tuition. Now RPCVs will qualify regardless of where they lived prior to their service. By the RPCVs of Colorado In April of 2022, National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) highlighted the work done by the Peace Corps community in Maryland to pass a law to give in-state tuition to Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) in their state. This story inspired Sarah LaBounty (Romania 2011–13) to contact her state representative about passing similar legislation. On April 11, 2023, Governor Jared Polis signed a bill into law to grant all RPCVs, regardless of where they lived...