The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) recorded more than 587,000 volunteer hours across communities nationwide during its Month of Service initiative, supporting historic preservation, veterans, first responders, and families in need. The organization expanded its annual Day of Service into a month-long initiative running from September 11 to October 11, 2026, to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence and 25 years since the September 11 attacks.
DAR members support communities through nationwide projects
Thousands of members participated in community service activities across the United States, including cemetery restoration, food distribution, veteran assistance, and historic site maintenance.
Projects included cleaning the headstones of veterans and Revolutionary War Patriots at cemeteries in Tennessee, Virginia, Illinois, Arizona, and California.
In Colorado, members provided breakfast to the South Metro Fire Rescue Department headquarters, while volunteers in Texas distributed backpacks containing essential supplies to veterans and donated baby items to the DeBakey VA Women’s Health Center.
Other initiatives included organizing a commemorative blood drive in Arizona, preparing food boxes for families in Louisiana, and conducting a community park cleanup in Maryland.
Members also maintained historic gardens at the Longfellow House-Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site in Massachusetts and prepared thank-you notes for veterans in Hawaii.
“I am honored and humbled to stand with our many dedicated members who share DAR’s mission of historic preservation, education, and patriotism through service,” DAR President General Ginnie Sebastian Storage said.
She added that the organization’s nearly 200,000 members share a commitment to improving their communities while honoring the contributions of those who helped establish the United States.
Daughters of the American Revolution combines volunteer service with America 250 grants
Alongside its volunteer activities, DAR has supported community celebrations through its America 250! Community Celebration Grants. Since 2022, the organization has awarded 2,081 grants totaling $1.1 million to support local initiatives marking the country’s 250th anniversary.
The one-time grants provide $500 to DAR chapters organizing public events in their communities during 2026. Chapters can also combine their grants to finance joint projects.
Supported activities include installing Revolutionary Patriot markers, organizing community celebrations, and hosting the American Revolution Experience, a traveling historical exhibition developed in partnership with the American Battlefield Trust.
DAR said the grants, alongside national donations and scholarships, contributed to more than $6.2 million in community initiatives connected to the anniversary. The organization clarified that the $6.2 million figure combines the $1.1 million in America 250! Community Celebration Grants with several major national donations and scholarships.
DAR expands support for education, historic preservation and veterans
Beyond its America 250 activities, DAR operates several grant and scholarship programs supporting its three mission areas of historic preservation, education and patriotism.
Its Historic Preservation Grants provide financial assistance for restoring historic buildings, preserving documents and artifacts, maintaining cemetery monuments and conserving historical markers.
The organization also offers Community Classroom Grants to preschool through post-secondary teachers and administrators for educational initiatives designed to improve student performance and support creative learning approaches.
Through its Vivian’s Outreach to Women grant, DAR works with community organizations to help women veterans regain stability and independence.
Its America 250! Scholarship program also awarded $25,000 each to 10 students studying American history.
DAR told Charity Journal that funding decisions vary across its national, state and local structures, with individual chapters and state societies able to establish their own grant priorities and allocation frameworks.
The organization also acknowledged that not all its chapters have long-term systems for tracking and reporting community impact, reflecting differences in their budgets, sizes and administrative capabilities.
Founded in 1890, the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution has approximately 190,000 members across nearly 3,000 chapters in the United States and abroad. Its activities include community service, scholarships, educational initiatives, citizenship programs, and support for veterans.