Florida Lottery Celebrates National Volunteer Week, Highlights Role of Service in Bright Futures Scholarship

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (April 16, 2026) – This April, the Florida Lottery proudly joins communities across the state in recognizing National Volunteer Week, April 19-25th, by celebrating the power of service and its meaningful connection to student success through the Bright Futures Scholarship Program.

National Volunteer Week honors individuals who dedicate their time and energy to strengthening communities and creating opportunities for others. The Florida Lottery is proud to support initiatives that enrich lives while helping Florida students pursue higher education.

“The Florida Lottery is proud to support the Bright Futures Scholarship Program, which not only helps students pursue higher education but also instills the values of service, responsibility, and community engagement.”

Through the Bright Futures Scholarship Program, community service is a key component of eligibility. For 2025–26 graduates:

• Florida Academic Scholars: 100 hours (volunteer, paid work, or combination)

• Florida Medallion Scholars: 75 volunteer hours or 100 total hours (paid or combined)

• Gold Seal Vocational/CAPE Scholars: 30 volunteer hours or 100 total hours (paid or combined)

  
  

“Volunteering is more than just a requirement; it’s an opportunity for our students to make a meaningful impact in our communities,” said Acting Secretary Reginald D. Dixon. “The Florida Lottery is proud to support the Bright Futures Scholarship Program, which not only helps students pursue higher education but also instills the values of service, responsibility, and community engagement.”

Volunteer Florida, the state’s lead agency for volunteerism and national service, plays a crucial role in connecting Floridians with opportunities to serve and make a meaningful impact. Through Volunteer Connect, the state’s official volunteer opportunities platform, individuals can easily find ways to give back based on their interests, skills, and location. The platform connects thousands of volunteers with nonprofit and community organizations across Florida, making it easier than ever to get involved and serve.

“National Volunteer Week is a reminder that even the smallest acts of service can have a lasting impact,” said CEO of Volunteer Florida, Josie Tamayo. “We are proud to work alongside partners like the Florida Lottery to highlight the importance of service and inspire Floridians to get involved, give back, and strengthen their communities.”

Since its inception in 1997, the Bright Futures Scholarship Program has helped more than one million Florida students pursue higher education, funded primarily by proceeds from the Florida Lottery. By incorporating service into its requirements.

The Florida Lottery encourages all Floridians to take part in National Volunteer Week by finding simple ways to give back, whether that’s mentoring a student, participating in a neighborhood clean-up, or supporting a local nonprofit.

For more information about the Bright Futures Scholarship Program and volunteer opportunities across Florida, visit www.floridalottery.com/education/bright-futures and www.volunteerflorida.org.

ABOUT THE FLORIDA LOTTERY   

The Florida Lottery is responsible for generating more than $50 billion to enhance education and sending more than one million students to Florida’s colleges, universities, and technical schools through the Bright Futures Program Scholarship. The Florida Lottery reinvests 99 percent of its revenue into Florida's economy through prize payouts, commissions to more than 13,600 Lottery retailers, and transfers to education. Since 1988, Florida Lottery games have paid over $104.8 billion in prizes and created more than 4,475 millionaires. For more information, please visit www.floridalottery.com and be sure to follow the Florida Lottery on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and X to stay informed.