AmeriCorps.gov @AmeriCorps

BRIDGING AND BELONGING

bridging

noun

Coming together across 

divides to listen and 

understand each other, to 

explore shared values, build 

relationships, and to make 

collaboration the norm.

belonging1

noun

When everyone experiences 

social connection, psychological 

safety, and a sense of agency 

within a group, with all the 

richness that belonging entails.

WHY Bridging and Belonging Matters

Collaboration Over Belonging

Polarization Members come together, build 

AmeriCorps members and trust and safety, celebrate their 

volunteers’ commitment to diversity and forge deeper levels 

community engagement and of connection and purpose for 

capacity building demonstrate themselves and the communities 

the power of bringing people in which they serve. 

together to solve local challenges. 

Workforce Development

Wellbeing Members with training and 

Members deliver resources, practical experience build the 

strengthen social networks, muscle memory needed by every 

and build social capital with employer in every sector to 

historically underrepresented connect across lines of difference.

communities that fosters resilience 

and deeper capacity to thrive. Future Visioning

Members, reflecting the diversity 

Democracy of America, inspire others by their 

Members are stewards of a leadership and perseverance; they 

responsive democracy and national balance existing traditions with 

service is the symbol of a thriving co-creating new experiences around 

society where engaged citizens community and civic engagement 

contribute to the common good. to build stronger futures. 
AmeriCorps.gov @AmeriCorps

Levels of Engagement 

and Activation

Strategic / Activities

In collaboration with Service Year Alliance

AmeriCorps shares language 

and purposeful “why” 

between bridging, belonging, 

and national service.

AmeriCorps facilitates 

partnerships that advances 

a comprehensive research 

learning agenda.

AmeriCorps co-creates / 

supports a clearinghouse 

of content that builds 

capacity for all users.

As a grant maker, 

AmeriCorps funding 

supports bridge-building 

and belonging programs.

Agency

Activities, policies, and decision-making that 

AmeriCorps employs, demonstrating the value 

this work brings to our dynamic field.

Grantees and Sponsors

Activities in collaboration with grantees to support their 

adoption of bridge-building and belonging practices to 

benefit community partners and the members.

Members and Volunteers

Activities made available from AmeriCorps, grantees 

and sponsors to the member or volunteer, helping 

them develop bridge-building skills, growing their 

confidence and capacity during service and as alumni.

Produced and published at US taxpayer expense.

Resources / Tools

Bridging Differences Playbook 

Greater Good Science Center

Belonging Culture Curriculum

Service Year Alliance

Belonging Design Principles

Othering and Belonging Institute

The Belonging Barometer1

Project Over Zero / American 

Immigration Council

Supplemental Guidance, 

Bridging Measures

AmeriCorps State and National 

No Greater Means, 

No Greater Mission

Convergence | David Eisner 

and John Gomperts

Ask and All: A Plan to Expand 

National Service & Volunteering 

More Perfect and Partner Collective

Business Bridging Divides

Business for America 

US Surgeon General’s Advisory 

on the Healing Effects of Social 

Connection and Community

May 2023