President's Volunteer Service Award

About PVSA

The President's Volunteer Service Award recognizes, celebrates and holds up as role models Americans making a positive impact as engaged and deeply committed volunteers. The Award enables community organizations – such as Young Scholars Institute –to amplify their gratitude by joining with the President of the United States to thank their most dedicated volunteers.

The President's Volunteer Service Award recognizes United States citizens and lawfully admitted, permanent residents of the United States who have achieved the required number of hours of service over a 12-month time period or cumulative hours over the course of a lifetime.

Presidential recognition sets you apart from your peers. It is a tremendous honor. Even though you may not seek recognition, your example can deliver a powerful message that encourages others to take action.
The President's Volunteer Service Award recognizes United States citizens and lawfully admitted, permanent residents of the United States who have achieved the required number of hours of service over a 12-month time period or cumulative hours over the course of a lifetime.

Eligibility

Individuals, families and groups that meet the criteria are eligible for the PVSA.

Recipient(s) must be a United States citizen or a lawfully admitted permanent resident of the United States.
Awards are issued for service hours served within a 12-month time period or over the course of a lifetime.
Awards are issued for volunteer service only; additional levels of participation with the organization (i.e., charitable support) are not a factor considered for the award.
Court-ordered community service does not qualify for the award.
Awards are issued by approved Certifying Organizations.
Service must be with an approved Certifying Organization that is legally established in the United States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or one of the U.S. territories.

Hours are measured over a 12-month period and awards are designated based on cumulative hours. The awards are offered in multiple levels and are designed to recognize each milestone of your service achievement. Levels include bronze, silver, gold and the highest honor, the President's Lifetime Achievement Award for those who contribute more than 4,000 hours of service in their lifetime.

Non-qualifying Volunteer Activities

Certain types of activities do not qualify for the President’s Volunteer Service Award:

Donating money does not count as volunteer service.
While non-partisan voter registration activities are eligible, political lobbying is not.
Activities such as religious instruction, conducting worship services, or proselytizing are not eligible.
Volunteer service performed as part of court-ordered community service does not qualify.
Serving only family members does not meet the eligibility requirements.

AWARD LEVELS

Gold: Children must contribute 100 hours or more of volunteering, young adults 250 hours or more, adults 500 hours or more, and families & groups 1000 hours or more.

Silver: Children must contribute 75 to 99 hours of volunteering, young adults 175 to 249 hours, adults 250 to 499 hours, and families & groups 500 to 999 hours.

Bronze: Children must contribute 50 to 74 hours of volunteering, young adults 100 to 174 hours, adults 100 to 249 hours, and families & groups 200 to 499 hours.

Lifetime: In addition to the yearly awards, in which all volunteering hours must have taken place in the previous 12 months, the Council also established the President's Call to Service Award, a lifetime achievement award for those who are truly devoted to the cause of volunteering, that is presented to anyone who has dedicated 4,000 hours (the equivalent of two years of full time work) to volunteering over the course of their life.