The Greek America Foundation has officially opened applications for its flagship Greek America Corps (GAC) 2026, inviting young North Americans aged 18 to 25 to trade their summer vacations for humanitarian service in Greece.
Running from late May to early August, the 2026 program offers three distinct service tracks in Athens, Thessaloniki, and the island of Chios. Unlike traditional heritage tours, the GAC embeds volunteers directly with accredited NGOs to address critical social issues, including the refugee crisis, homelessness, and food insecurity.
The Athens program (May 30–June 14) focuses on urban poverty. Thessaloniki (June 20–July 5) targets disenfranchised youth and sustainable agriculture, and Chios (July 11–Aug 2) addresses the unique challenges of Greece’s border island.
“This is not just volunteering; it is an immersion into modern Greek reality,” the Foundation notes. To ensure accessibility, the Foundation has simultaneously launched the 2026 Do Good Challenge, a grassroots fundraising initiative. This campaign encourages community members to turn personal achievements—like running a marathon or hosting a concert—into sponsorship funds for student scholarships.
The application deadline is February 16, 2026. While a program fee is required to cover housing and logistics, competitive need-based scholarships are available to cover these costs. Additionally, students can opt to earn college credit through a partnership with the Hellenic American University in Athens, formalizing the experience as an academic service-learning opportunity.
Visit the Greek America Foundation’s GAF page to learn more about each program and register to volunteer.
