(WDNews) — A federal commission planning the nation’s 250th birthday is launching a nationwide effort to boost volunteerism across the country.

The U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission announced America Gives, a new program encouraging Americans to pledge and track volunteer service as the United States prepares to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.

The campaign comes as volunteer rates remain lower than before the COVID-19 pandemic. Only 28% of Americans said they volunteered with a religious or charitable organization this year, according to a December AP-NORC poll.

Organizers say the goal is not to hit a specific number of service hours but to rebuild a culture of giving that lasts beyond 2026. The program is funded through congressional support and corporate sponsors.

Participants can log volunteer hours online. National partners include Girl Scouts of the USA, Keep America Beautiful and JustServe. Planned efforts include community cleanups, food donations and youth service projects.

A major focus of the campaign is reaching young people. About one-quarter of adults under 30 reported volunteering in the past year, compared with more than one-third of adults over 60, according to another AP-NORC poll.

Commission Chair Rosie Rios said schools and nonprofits are working together to make volunteering easier and more accessible for students and young adults.

Organizers say the campaign also aims to bring communities together by promoting service as a shared civic value. Volunteer efforts will continue throughout the year and align with national days of service, including Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Sept. 11.

“This is about strengthening communities now and for the future,” Rios said.