Massachusetts Service Alliance

What Massachusetts Service Alliance does

Massachusetts Service Alliance (MSA) is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1993 and headquartered at 98 N. Washington Street, Suite 400, Boston, MA. It is designated as Massachusetts' official State Service Commission under the National and Community Service Act of 1990, one of only 50 such commissions nationally, and holds statutory authority to administer federal AmeriCorps funding and the only state-funded service program (Commonwealth Corps, established 2007). MSA's core offering is a program-platform portfolio organized around three flagship lines: the federally-funded AmeriCorps (Massachusetts) program (supporting over 1,800 members across 400+ not-for-profit host organizations each year), the state-funded Commonwealth Corps (approximately 30 members placed at 12–16 host sites annually on 10-month terms), and Volunteerism Initiatives (resources, training, and funding for volunteer generation and management). Layered on top are grant programs (AmeriCorps Planning Grants up to $100,000 per 12-month award, AmeriCompetitive Grants, AmeriCorps Formula Grants, and the COVID-19 RRR Grant round), the Service Enterprise volunteer-engagement certification, the MSA Connects for Good volunteer-matching sister site, and the biennial Massachusetts Conference on Volunteerism held at the DCU Center in Worcester.

The organization's technology stack is conventional and not proprietary: the mass-service.org website is built on Webflow with Zapier and Jetboost integrations for automation and dynamic filtering (including a fully filterable Commonwealth Corps positions board), with Mailchimp for newsletters, Eventbrite for conference ticketing, PayPal for donations, TFAForms/Google Forms/SurveyMonkey/Microsoft Forms for applications, Zoom for webinars, and a planned Salesforce CRM integration announced in 2023 to automate content updates. MSA does not sell a commercial product; the customer base is a 500+ strong network of Massachusetts nonprofits, schools, agencies, and faith-based organizations that receive sub-grants, training, technical assistance, and member placements at no cost. MSA's revenue is derived entirely from grants and contributions: a $23,226,321 federal AmeriCorps award in 2023, a state budget line item of $1.4M in FY24 (reduced from $2.2M in FY23 by Governor Healey's veto), individual and organizational donations, conference sponsorships and ticket sales, and pass-through sub-grants to host sites that contribute a modest cash match per service member.

Name

Massachusetts Service Alliance

Legal name

Massachusetts Service Alliance

Website

https://mass-service.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Massachusetts Service Alliance is a 30+ year 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving as Massachusetts' official State Service Commission, administering $23M+ in federal AmeriCorps funding and the state-funded Commonwealth Corps program to support 1,800+ members and 500+ nonprofits statewide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Service Programs

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Charities & Grantmaking Intermediaries (BPAGAKAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Government Public Health Grantmaking & Program Offices (HLAJALAA), Grantmaking Agencies & Education Program Grants Administration (EDADAHAD)

Keywords

• National service programs
• Volunteer management training
• Nonprofit grant administration
• AmeriCorps state programs
• Community service commission

Headquarters

HQ city

Boston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Federal AmeriCorps Grants: MSA receives federal AmeriCorps funding from the AmeriCorps Agency (national service) and awards sub-grants to Massachusetts organizations to recruit, train, and manage AmeriCorps members. MSA was awarded $23,226,321 in AmeriCorps funding in 2023 to support over 1,800 AmeriCorps members across the state with 31 AmeriCorps state programs. Formula funds are based on federal allocation and Massachusetts' population; competitive grants are awarded through MSA's national competition.
2. State Government Funding (Line Item): MSA receives a state budget line item from the Massachusetts Legislature. In FY23 the line item was $2.2M (which leveraged $20M in federal resources), but Governor Healey vetoed it down to $1.4M in FY24 — one of the harshest cuts MSA has received. MSA lobbies the legislature to reinstate funding.
3. Individual and Organizational Donations: MSA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit that accepts donations via PayPal (paypal.me/massservice) and by check mailed to 98 N. Washington Street, Suite 400, Boston, MA 02114. Donors can specify AmeriCorps Alums Boston Chapter support.
4. Conference Sponsorships and Ticket Sales: MSA generates revenue through sponsor packages (MSA Champions, MSA Partners, MSA Friends tiers) and ticket sales for the biennial Massachusetts Conference on Volunteerism, sold via Eventbrite.
5. Sub-Grant Funding to Host Sites and Nonprofits: MSA administers sub-grants (e.g., Volunteer Generation Fund grants, AmeriCorps Planning Grants of up to $100,000 per 12-month grant, COVID-19 RRR mini-grants supporting 25 grantee organizations) to Massachusetts nonprofits, schools, agencies, and faith-based groups. MSA also provides in-kind resources, training, and technical assistance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Massachusetts Service Alliance administers federal AmeriCorps and state-funded Commonwealth Corps service-year programs in Massachusetts, awarding pass-through grants to host site nonprofits, schools, and agencies that supervise members in community service. The organization also awards competitive grants (Planning, Competitive, and Formula) to eligible organizations, delivers volunteer management training including the Service Enterprise Initiative, operates the MSA Connects for Good volunteer matching portal, and convenes the biennial Massachusetts Conference on Volunteerism.

Product overview

Massachusetts Service Alliance (MSA) operates as Massachusetts' official State Service Commission and a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit rather than a single unified SaaS product. Its offering is a program-platform portfolio organized around a core service commission hub (mass-service.org) that administers three flagship programs — the federally-funded AmeriCorps (Massachusetts) program, the state-funded Commonwealth Corps program, and Volunteerism Initiatives (resources, training, and funding for volunteer generation/management). Layered on top of these are grant programs (AmeriCorps Planning Grants, AmeriCompetitive Grants, AmeriCorps Formula Grants, the COVID-19 Recovery/RRR Grant), the Service Enterprise volunteer-engagement certification, the MSA Connects for Good volunteer-matching sub-brand, the Community Reviewer volunteer program, and the biennial Massachusetts Conference on Volunteerism. The website itself functions as the connective platform linking these programs, with partner integrations including Webflow (platform), Zapier and Jetboost (site automation), Eventbrite (event ticketing), Mailchimp (newsletters), PayPal (donations), and a planned Salesforce integration for content automation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Commonwealth Corps: State-funded service internship program administered by MSA, engaging Massachusetts residents in 10-month direct-service and capacity-building roles with nonprofit host sites.
• MSA Connects for Good

Products and services

• AmeriCorps Massachusetts Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Supports over 1,800 AmeriCorps members across Massachusetts annually
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and minor.

• AmeriCorps (the federal agency for national service and volunteerism)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMSA is Massachusetts' official State Service Commission under the National and Community Service Act, partnering with AmeriCorps (the federal agency) to administer AmeriCorps state programs and pass through federal funding. AmeriCorps awards formula and competitive grants to MSA, which then awards sub-grants to Massachusetts organizations. Joint advocacy through America's Service Commissions (ASC) and Voices for National Service.
• MSA Connects for Good (msaconnectsforgood.org)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMSA Connects for Good is MSA's sister site that connects individual volunteers directly with thousands of Massachusetts nonprofit organizations. MSA promotes this portal across its main website, blog, newsletters, and event materials to drive volunteer engagement.
• New Politics Academy (NPA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerNPA's "Answering the Call" is a free, nonpartisan program that helps servant leaders decide whether politics is the next chapter of their service. MSA spotlights this program to its audience of service-year alumni and leaders; applications were open until 3/31/2026.
• DCU Center (Worcester)minorOthersMSA holds its biennial Massachusetts Conference on Volunteerism at the DCU Center in Worcester, MA (May 21, 2026 event). The venue is consistently used as the flagship in-person gathering location.
• Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center, Inc. (BCNC)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor2026-2027 Commonwealth Corps host site (Economic Opportunity/Workforce Development). BCNC supports children, youth, and families in achieving economic stability and well-being; Commonwealth Corps members assist adult English learners in gaining workforce skills while expanding volunteer-led tutoring and career support.
• Friends of the Rafael Hernández School, Inc.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor2026-2027 (and prior year) Commonwealth Corps host site (Education - Early). Located in Boston, MA, serving students and families at a dual-language school. Members provide in-school and afterschool support, community engagement, and resource distribution.
• New Entry Sustainable Farming Project (Tufts)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor2026-2027 (and prior year) Commonwealth Corps host site (Health and Nutrition). Improves access to fresh, locally grown food while training the next generation of farmers; members expand food access programs across Greater Boston and the North Shore.
• North Shore Community Development CoalitionminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor2026-2027 Commonwealth Corps host site (Youth Violence Prevention/Youth Development). Works to build thriving communities through economic opportunity and neighborhood investment; members support residents, small businesses, and youth with coaching, resources, and goal-setting while enhancing volunteer engagement.
• Regional Environmental CouncilminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor2026-2027 (and prior year) Commonwealth Corps host site (Education - General/K-12). Promotes sustainable food systems and community health in Worcester, MA; members support school gardens and youth agriculture programs.
• The 3Point FoundationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor2026-2027 Commonwealth Corps host site engaging Boston youth through academics, life skills, and wellness programming; members support afterschool programs to improve academic performance, attendance, and social-emotional development.
• THRIVE Communities of MassachusettsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor2026-2027 (and prior year) Commonwealth Corps host site supporting individuals transitioning from incarceration through reentry services and community support; members provide peer support, helping participants access housing, employment, and essential resources.
• Whale & Dolphin Conservation (WDC)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor2026-2027 (and prior year) Commonwealth Corps host site (Education - General/K-12) in Southeast MA. Inspires global action to protect marine life through education and outreach; members expand conservation programming, develop educational resources, and grow community engagement.
• Perkins School for the BlindminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBoth a 2023-2024 AmeriCorps programming grantee (hosting 15 AmeriCorps members supporting students with multiple disabilities and visual impairments in Watertown, MA) and a recurring Commonwealth Corps host site partner.
• Old Sturbridge VillageminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor2023-2024 AmeriCorps programming grantee — first AmeriCorps programming grant; hosted 16 reduced full-time AmeriCorps members partnering with afterschool programs serving children with limited English proficiency and disabilities in Worcester County.
• Walker, Inc.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor2023-2024 AmeriCorps programming grantee — first AmeriCorps programming grant; hosting 20 part-time AmeriCorps members as Wellness Coaches supporting mental health of Boston public school youth.
• WBZ NewsRadio (Matt Shearer)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerWBZ NewsRadio's Matt Shearer (@reportermatt) served as the Panel Moderator for the 2026 Massachusetts Conference on Volunteerism, guiding conversations on the power of service, volunteerism, and community impact.
• Massachusetts Legislature (House & Senate)flagshipOthersMSA works with the Massachusetts House and Senate to sustain its state budget line item ($2.2M in FY23 leveraging $20M federal, reduced to $1.4M via veto in FY24) and to advance legislation such as S.1890/H.2777 to make the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award tax-free in Massachusetts.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• CalVolunteers (California Governor's Office of Service and Volunteerism): California's official State Service Commission, directly analogous to MSA in role, mission, and structure as the state pass-through for federal AmeriCorps funding and state-level service programs.
• Minnesota Commission on National and Community Service: Minnesota's state service commission operating an analogous model of AmeriCorps administration, volunteer engagement, and statewide service program oversight.
• Serve Washington: Washington state's commission on national and community service, directly comparable as a state service commission with federal AmeriCorps pass-through authority and statewide volunteer convening role.
• Volunteer Tennessee: Tennessee's State Service Commission administering AmeriCorps funding and statewide volunteer engagement — structurally and functionally aligned with MSA's role in Massachusetts.
• Volunteer Florida: Florida's State Service Commission and premier volunteer center, directly comparable as the state-level body administering AmeriCorps funding, state service grants, and volunteerism initiatives.

Emerging players

• Idealist: A nonprofit-focused job, volunteer, and opportunity platform analogous to MSA's volunteer engagement portal functionality, with overlapping audience of mission-driven individuals and organizations.
• VolunteerMatch: A national online volunteer matching platform directly comparable to MSA Connects for Good, providing volunteer opportunity discovery and nonprofit engagement tools at a broader geographic scale.

Broad incumbents

• Points of Light: A national nonprofit focused on volunteer engagement with overlapping programs (HandsOn Network, corporate volunteer initiatives) that operate in a similar space to MSA's volunteerism and convening functions.
• America's Service Commissions (ASC): The national membership network of all 50 state service commissions; MSA is a member. ASC provides collective advocacy, training, and shared infrastructure across state commissions including MSA.
• AmeriCorps (federal agency): The federal agency that funds and oversees the national service programs MSA administers — the upstream funding source, regulatory authority, and strategic counterpart for MSA's AmeriCorps portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/massservice
• Facebookfacebook.com/MassVolunteers
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/massachusetts-service-alliance
• Instagraminstagram.com/massservice

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Massachusetts Service Alliance