The collaboration will encourage nationwide civic and community engagement to celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary.
Washington, DC, May 15, 2025 – Today, the Washington, DC-based nonprofit Global Ties U.S. proudly announces its designation as an official Supporting Partner of America250, the bipartisan organization charged by Congress to lead the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026. Through this partnership, Global Ties U.S. joins a select group of organizations invited to help shape and support the largest commemoration in U.S. history.
As a Supporting Partner, Global Ties U.S. will leverage the nationwide reach of the Global Ties Network—80+ member organizations across the United States that welcome more than 4,000 international exchange program participants to their communities each year—in a milestone and multi-faceted celebration of service, innovation, and civic connection that will define the United States for generations to come, both for local communities and for visitors from abroad.
“Global Ties U.S. is thrilled to partner with America250. This collaboration is a natural extension of our work to expand opportunities for U.S. citizens and communities and build prosperity through connections with global leaders,” said Katherine A. Brown, Ph.D., President & CEO of Global Ties U.S. “We’re excited to showcase our nationwide Global Ties Network’s role in promoting American excellence through citizen diplomacy, and in promoting our core values of democracy, volunteerism, and entrepreneurship.”
Across its nationwide Network, Global Ties U.S. will contribute to several of America250’s tentpole programs, including:
- America Gives, a national campaign to record the largest number of volunteer hours ever contributed by a country and create a legacy of service (volunteer, public service, military service, and charitable giving) that extends beyond 2026.
- Our American Story, a national effort to build the largest oral and visual history of the United States by collecting, sharing, and preserving the stories of its people.
- America’s Invitation, a global initiative to reflect on the past, present, and future of the United States and what the country means to all touched by it.
By involving the nationwide Global Ties Network in America250’s flagship programs, these activities will spotlight the dynamic community-based organizations across the United States that implement international exchange and public diplomacy programs. Each year, the Global Ties Network welcomes thousands of current and future global leaders to U.S. communities on international exchange programs and engages tens of thousands more volunteers across the United States in community service to support this work.
“Through the Global Ties Network, the world meets America — not just through policy priorities, but through volunteers, host families, and community leaders,” said Rosie Rios, Chair of America250. “Their involvement brings a unique and powerful dimension to our mission to unite the country in service, storytelling, and celebration.”
For more information and ways to join this nationwide celebration, visit our website to find a Global Ties Network member near you.
More Information
Global Ties U.S. is the national leader for connecting people and communities in the United States with global leaders through international exchange programs. Since 1961, Global Ties U.S. has powered a community-based network of 80+ nonprofit organizations that serve all 50 U.S. States and implement the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and a wide variety of other international exchange and public diplomacy programs. The work of Global Ties U.S. advances U.S. strategic priorities abroad and boosts prosperity at home by harnessing the diplomatic potential of our country’s greatest asset: our people.
America250 is the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, a congressionally appointed body, that hosts a mission to celebrate and commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It aims to inspire fellow Americans to reflect on their past, strengthen their love of country, and renew their commitment to the ideals of democracy through programs that educate, engage, and unite us as a nation. For more information, visit their website at America250.org.