The National Service Honor is excited to announce that applications are officially open for organizations interested in becoming National Service Honor Certified Organizations.
Whether you’re a school, college, nonprofit, business, or community organization, becoming a Certified Organization allows you to verify volunteer service, recognize outstanding volunteers, and join a growing network committed to promoting meaningful community engagement.
What Is a National Service Honor Certified Organization?
A National Service Honor Certified Organization is authorized to verify volunteer service completed by individuals participating in the National Service Honor program.
Certification demonstrates that your organization has established processes for accurately tracking and verifying volunteer hours while maintaining the integrity of the National Service Honor recognition program.
Certified Organizations also become trusted partners in encouraging volunteerism and celebrating individuals who are making a positive impact in their communities.
Who Can Apply?
Organizations of all sizes are encouraged to apply, including:
- K-12 Schools
- Colleges and Universities
- Nonprofit Organizations
- Community Service Organizations
- Youth Organizations
- Religious Organizations
- Businesses with Volunteer Programs
- Government Agencies
If your organization coordinates volunteer opportunities or verifies volunteer service, you may be eligible to become a Certified Organization.
Former PVSA Certifying Organizations Are Welcome
If your organization previously served as a Presidential Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) Certifying Organization, we invite you to apply to become a National Service Honor Certified Organization.
National Service Honor was created to continue celebrating volunteer service and recognizing individuals who make a meaningful impact in their communities. We know many organizations built successful volunteer recognition programs through PVSA, and we want to make the transition to National Service Honor as seamless as possible.
Our certification application asks many of the same types of questions you may already be familiar with, including how your organization tracks volunteer hours, verifies service, and maintains volunteer records.
While every application will be reviewed to ensure organizations meet National Service Honor verification standards, former PVSA Certifying Organizations are encouraged to apply and continue recognizing the volunteers who make a difference every day.
We look forward to partnering with both returning organizations and those joining us for the first time as we grow a trusted national network dedicated to recognizing service and inspiring future volunteers.
Why Become Certified?
Becoming a National Service Honor Certified Organization offers several benefits:
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Build Trust
Certification lets volunteers, parents, schools, and community members know your organization follows recognized standards for verifying volunteer service.
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Recognize Volunteers
Certified Organizations can confidently support volunteers working toward National Service Honor recognition, helping them celebrate the time and effort they’ve dedicated to serving others.
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Join a National Network
Become part of a growing community of organizations committed to promoting volunteerism and service across the country.
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Strengthen Your Volunteer Program
Certification reinforces your organization’s commitment to accurate recordkeeping, accountability, and meaningful community impact.
What Does the Application Include?
The application is designed to be straightforward while ensuring organizations have appropriate volunteer verification practices in place.
Applicants will provide information about:
- Organization details
- Volunteer management processes
- How volunteer hours are verified
- Record retention practices
- Agreement to National Service Honor verification standards
Once approved, organizations will receive recognition as a National Service Honor Certified Organization.
A New Digital Certification Badge
Approved organizations will also receive a National Service Honor Certified Organization digital badge that can be displayed on:
- Your organization’s website
- Email signatures
- Volunteer recruitment materials
- Social media pages
- Marketing and promotional materials
The badge demonstrates your organization’s commitment to volunteer recognition and helps build confidence among volunteers and community partners.
Our Commitment to Integrity
The value of any volunteer recognition program depends on the credibility of the service being recognized.
That’s why National Service Honor works with Certified Organizations that agree to maintain accurate records, verify completed volunteer service, and uphold consistent verification standards.
This commitment helps ensure every National Service Honor recipient has earned recognition through genuine service and community impact.
Apply Today
If your organization is passionate about recognizing volunteers and encouraging service, we invite you to become a National Service Honor Certified Organization.
Together, we can create more opportunities for individuals to serve, inspire more communities to give back, and ensure volunteer achievements are recognized with the honor they deserve.
We look forward to welcoming organizations from across the country into the National Service Honor network.
