Eli Segal has been described as the "father of AmeriCorps.” He served as the first CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service and under his leadership AmeriCorps was created. To honor Eli, and build upon his legacy, AmeriCorps Alums gives the Eli J. Segal AmeriCorps Alums Entrepreneurship Award annually to recognize the achievement and potential of an outstanding alum whose work, after completing his or her service in AmeriCorps, demonstrates entrepreneurial vision and leadership to make this a better world.

The award winner gains lifetime membership into the illustrious Eli J. Segal Citizen Leadership Program (described below), is recognized at a special award ceremony, and receives a cash prize of $5,000 to be used to continue their citizen leadership efforts and/or community initiative. The recipient is selected by a panel of judges that includes past Eli J. Segal AmeriCorps Alums Entrepreneurship Award Winners, AmeriCorps Alums staff, and representatives of the Eli J. Segal Citizen Leadership Program.

Each year, the Eli J. Segal AmeriCorps Alums Entrepreneurship Award honors outstanding alums who embodies the essence of citizen service that Eli Segal proudly represented. The Eli J. Segal Award is the highest and most prestigious honor awarded by AmeriCorps Alums. Along with lifetime membership in the Eli J. Segal Citizen Leadership Program and the valuable recognition the award brings to the honoree's project or organization, the winner will also be honored at a special AmeriCorps Alums event, awarded a cash prize of $5,000. 

View Past Winner Summaries here

Recipients of the Eli J. Segal AmeriCorps Alums Entrepreneurship Award become part of The Eli J. Segal Citizen Leadership Program, which was established after Eli’s death to inspire and support new generations of leaders to commit to a lifetime of contributing to the common good, and elevate citizen leadership as central to our democracy. The Program is housed at the Center for Youth and Communities at the Heller School at Brandeis University, Eli’s alma mater.

Each AmeriCorps Alum selected as an Award Winner is welcomed into this Program as a Segal Fellow, joining other Fellows who are selected by the Corporation for National and Community Service, City Year and Brandeis University. There are now over 45 Fellows participating in leadership development activities and a growing Network of Fellows who support each other’s success throughout their careers. The Network also includes more than 400 Founders who created the Program so that Eli’s legacy and confidence in the power of young people to change the world carries on. Click here to find more information about this unique program.

Other Segal Fellowships

Brandeis Fellows: Each fall the Segal Program selects between five and nine students from Brandeis University's undergraduate programs and from the Heller School for Social Policy and Management Master’s in Public Policy candidates to become Segal Fellows. Applications for Eli J. Segal Citizen Leadership Program Summer Fellowships are available online each fall. Click here to learn more about the Brandeis Fellows Program.

Center for Youth and Communities: The Eli J. Segal Citizen Leadership Program Management Fellowship operates within the Center for Youth and Communities at the Heller School at Brandeis University. This fellowship offers a hands-on experience in building and operating a growing program that is investing in the next generation of citizen leaders. Click here to learn more.

City Year: Each spring, City Year selects the Eli J. Segal Bridge Builder Corps Member of the Year Award winner. Click here to learn more about City Year and their outstanding work.

Corporation for National & Community Service: In recognition of Eli Segal’s leadership and entrepreneurship, the Corporation’s Board of Directors created the Eli Segal Fellowship. This prestigious fellowship is open to AmeriCorps alumni who have exceptional leadership, drive, and commitment who will help to advance the mission and strategic goals of the Corporation. Segal Fellows work closely with the CEO on projects that benefit the national service field. Fellows will carry out projects, advance their career development and gain a first-hand understanding of national service and the workings of a federal agency. Click here to learn more and to apply.