2026 Service Symposium
250 & Beyond: Our American Story
A nationwide celebration of service
Event date: April 24, 2026 | 10am EDT
Join us for a FREE live broadcast from anywhere in the country of our landmark hybrid symposium, a nationwide celebration of service.
As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, the 2026 Service Symposium | 250 & Beyond: Our American Story serves as the culminating celebration of a movement launched in 2024 to honor and inspire the American spirit of service. Learn more about this movement.
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By bringing together thousands of Americans—including students, educators, nonprofit leaders, public servants, and community members—we will reflect on our past, highlight incredible acts of service happening today, and inspire the next 250 years of American service.​​​
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Who Should Attend?
This celebration is for everyone! Whether you are a K-12 or higher education student, an educator, a volunteer, a philanthropic partner, or a civic leader, this event is designed for those committed to civic engagement, education, and community impact.
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Read about our 2024 Service Symposium to get a taste of what's in store for 2026.
Speakers
JoAnna Arnold, PhD
Literacy Specialist with Georgia's Chattahoochee-Flint Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA)
Nathan Dietz
Director, Do Good Lab
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Linda Mathes
Former Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross in the National Capital Region
Dr. Amir Pasic
Eugene R. Tempel Dean,
Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
John Tyler
General Counsel, Secretary, and Chief Ethics Officer,
Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
Brian Baird
Founder, National Museum and Center for Service
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Maureen Eccleston
Chief Impact Officer at Service Year Alliance​​​​
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Jeffrey Moore
Chief Strategy Officer, Independent Sector
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Deborah Sran
Senior Manager I, John R Lewis Leadership Program
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Shreyaa Venkat
Founder and CEO, NEST4US
Julie Budkowski
Managing Director, National Museum and Center for Service​​
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Stanley Fontaine
Special Assistant in the Office of the President at the Annie E. Casey Foundation​​
Tay Moore
Associate, Education and Society Program, Aspen Institute​
Jose Antonio Tijerino
President & CEO of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation
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Dr. Akilah Watkins
President & CEO, Independent Sector
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Vanessa Diamond
Chief Program and Impact Officer at Points of Light​
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Victoria Leonhardt
Director, Communities, Giving Tuesday
LeAnn Naillon
Lead Strategist of Telos Coaching & Consulting
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Kathleen Kennedy Townsend
Attorney & Former Lieutenant Governor of Maryland
Questions about the event?
Contact us today: hello@nmcfs.org
2026 Symposium Sponsors
GOLD
BRONZE
