The upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States aims to unite citizens through community-service initiatives and launch patriotic branding campaigns. Major nonprofits and corporations, including Walmart and Coca-Cola, are contributing by promoting volunteering and offering special edition products. Despite these attempts, the response has been mixed, influenced by varying national moods and divisions in patriotic sentiment. According to research from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, fewer Americans view the U.S. as exceptional compared to a decade ago. The American flag, a focal point of the celebrations, reflects diverse perspectives across political, age, and racial lines.
Competing events planned by two commissions add complexity to the celebrations. Former President Donald Trump established Freedom 250, a nonprofit aimed at organizing separate events from America250, the official group formed by Congress in 2016. During a rally on June 24, Trump emphasized revitalizing the American dream, but the event faced challenges, losing musical performers due to political tension.
The initiative America Gives focuses on encouraging volunteering by collaborating with nonprofits, allowing participants to log their service hours online. Salvation Army USA National Commander Merle Heatwole expressed some concerns about political perceptions affecting participation, yet noted considerable support from churches for activities like ‘Good Neighbor Day.’ The program has tracked over 38 million volunteer hours, counting towards an uncertain record-setting goal. An AmeriCorps analysis highlighted that Americans volunteered nearly 5 billion hours from 2022-2023.
America250 Chair Rosie Rios expects a surge in logged hours at year’s end, emphasizing service as the initiative’s sole focus. Many nonprofits struggle to leverage the anniversary, lacking resources for meaningful service experiences, especially post-cuts to AmeriCorps funding by the Trump administration in 2025. Audra Watson, leading civic programs for youth at C&S, is spearheading efforts to engage millions of young Americans, focusing on local community impact rather than the anniversary itself.
Jennifer Lawson, president of Keep America Beautiful, highlights a strong response to local opportunities, with 4.5 million participants contributing 2.5 million hours in cleaning and beautifying initiatives. Lawson observes a desire to connect with communities but notes uncertainty on where to begin. Marketing experts recommend cautious approaches due to national divisions and dwindling pride. Two logos, America250 and Freedom 250, have introduced confusion in branding.
Walmart, supporting America250, uses a mobile studio to gather oral histories, archived by the Library of Congress. Coca-Cola’s public art initiative, ‘Paint the Nation,’ seeks to celebrate local culture through murals. Commemorative cans are released for all states, plus Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. Responses to merchandise differ; Aaron Hilton from Virginia is uninterested, citing political concerns. Conversely, Darrell Brown from Arkansas celebrates the anniversary with America250 items, urging avoidance of political divisiveness.
M.J. Rymsza-Pawlowska looks to past anniversaries for insight, recalling bicentennial grassroots programming during Vietnam and Watergate. Federal funding supported civic engagement forms still popular today. Current efforts may lack governmental backing yet continue in private sectors. State humanities councils fund community projects exploring U.S. culture and its future. Rymsza-Pawlowska reflects on the uncertain legacy of the 250th anniversary, seeing it as an opportunity for existing initiatives to gain funding and recognition.
The Associated Press’s coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits is supported through collaboration with The Conversation US, funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. For more information visit AP’s philanthropy coverage.
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