San Francisco Unified School District, City of Santa Fe v. AmeriCorps

On March 10, 2025, Public Rights Project filed a lawsuit on behalf of the San Francisco Unified School District and the City of Santa Fe in response to the Trump administration’s recent restrictions on AmeriCorps funding. AmeriCorps is a federal agency that oversees and provides national service and volunteer opportunities to individuals in the U.S.

In February, AmeriCorps announced grant recipients could only continue using funds if they eliminated programs that support diversity, equity, and inclusion; promote gender ideology; or address climate change and other environmental issues. The plaintiffs use AmeriCorps funds to support services for underserved students, seniors, and other residents.

The lawsuit argues that AmeriCorps’ directive is too vague for grant recipients to understand what the federal government considers prohibited. We contend that AmeriCorps is violating the spending clause in the U.S. Constitution by changing the terms of an already approved grant. We also argue that the directive is a violation of the Administrative Procedures Act because it contradicts Congress’ stated purpose for the funds, which is to expand educational and civic opportunities for underserved and marginalized communities.

Update:
On March 31, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California granted San Francisco, Sante Fe, and PRP’s request for a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the Trump administration and AmeriCorps. The ruling prevents the federal agency from restricting funds to its grantees or forcing them to change their policies as a result of the anti-DEI executive order. Read the TRO.

On April 23, a judge issued a supplemental order ruling that the court has jurisdiction to hear the case. The government argued that the case should be heard in the Federal Court of Claims because we are seeking monetary damages. However, our lawsuit is not about collecting payment — it’s about restoring federal funding that was unlawfully withheld. 

Read the decision.