Peace Corps

President Kennedy created the Peace Corps by executive order on March 1, 1961, and Congress made it permanent with the Peace Corps Act of September 22, 1961. Its three goals, unchanged since, are to help countries meet their needs for trained people, to help others understand Americans, and to help Americans understand other peoples. It was folded into an umbrella volunteer agency in 1971 and became a fully independent agency again in 1981. It is led by a Director confirmed by the Senate.

Volunteers serve for about 27 months, living in local communities and working with host-country partners in education, health, agriculture, environment, youth development, and economic development, usually after three months of language and cultural training. More than 240,000 Americans have served in over 140 countries since 1961. Volunteers receive a modest living allowance and a readjustment payment, and the agency also places experienced professionals in shorter Peace Corps Response assignments.

In March 2020 the Peace Corps evacuated all of its roughly seven thousand volunteers worldwide because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the first global evacuation in its history, and volunteers began returning to the field in 2022. Volunteer safety, including protection from sexual assault, has prompted reforms required by Congress. In 2025 the agency faced a government efficiency review and proposed budget cuts. Supporters across both parties describe it as a low-cost tool of goodwill, while critics question whether its impact justifies the expense.