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Service and Civic Engagement: 20 Year Milestones


  • 1989: President George H.W. Bush’s inaugural address invokes the vision of a "thousand points of light"

    • President Bush establishes the Daily Point of Light Award for individuals making a difference. The award is now administered by Points of Light Institute.


  • 1990: In response to President Bush’s call to action, the Points of Light Foundation is created as an independent, non-partisan, nonprofit organization to encourage and empower the spirit of service.
  • 1991: The Points of Light Foundation merges with the National Volunteer Center Network.
  • 1992: CityCares (later named HandsOn Network) is established as a national umbrella organization to expand the CityCares and Hands On model of volunteering and provide a national network for sharing resources.
  • 1993: The Corporation for National and Community Service was established to connect Americans of all ages and backgrounds with opportunities to give back to their communities and their nation. At its inception, the Corporation was directed to manage three main programs: Senior Corps, AmeriCorps (created by President Bill Clinton), and Learn and Serve America.
  • 1993: Business Strengthening America (BSA) launches. BSA is a self-directed, multi-year, peer-to-peer effort to engage thousands of America's business leaders in a campaign to encourage civic engagement and service. BSA is a national, business-driven effort to engage our entire community- from Fortune 500 corporations to small, locally-owned businesses - in a campaign to strengthen American society.
  • 1998: The Corporation for National and Community Service, the Points of Light Foundation and the Volunteer Center National Network join to manage three national service programs: The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), AmeriCorps*VISTA Literacy Connection and AmeriCorps Promise Fellows.
  • 2002: President George W. Bush creates USA Freedom Corps in his 2002 State of the Union Address to build on the countless acts of service, sacrifice, and generosity that followed September 11, 2001. USA Freedom Corps works to promote and expand volunteer service by supporting national service programs, serving as a resource for nonprofits, recognizing volunteers and helping to connect individuals with volunteer organizations in their communities.
  • 2003: By Executive Order, President George W. Bush announced the formation of the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation to recognize the important contributions Americans of all ages are making within their communities through service and civic engagement. The Council also created the President's Volunteer Service Award program as a way to thank and honor Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service. Points of Light Institute is the administrating entity for the awards.
  • 2004: CityCares changes its name to HandsOn Network and grew its national affiliate base and expands to international communities.
  • 2005: HandsOn Network Corporate Council is established with 29 founding corporate leaders of Fortune 500 companies, now grown to more than 60 companies representing our nation’s most powerful business and industry.
  • 2007: Points of Light Foundation and HandsOn Network merge to become Points of Light Institute, creating the largest volunteer management and civic engagement organization in the nation.
  • 2008: ServiceNation is established – an unprecedented coalition of service and volunteer leadership to inspire a new era of voluntary citizen service in America. Organizing committee members include Be the Change Inc., City Year, Civic Enterprises and Points of Light Institute.
  • 2009: 20th anniversary of President George H.W. Bush’s invocation of a thousand points of light.

    • President Obama's signing of the historic Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act heralds the next phase of the nation’s renewed call to service