Service to America

The Daughters of the American Revolution DAR is a service organization. Nationally, members contributed over 20 Million hours last year, including as volunteers on Chapter committees.

Most of the volunteer work of DAR is accomplished under a committee system comprised of national chairs appointed by the President General and locally appointed state and chapter chairs. The national chairs direct, supervise and promote the activities of their committees with the assistance of national vice chairs. This work is dedicated to the missions of Historic Preservation, Education, and Patriotism.

Historic Preservation

American Heritage
Promotes the preservation of American cultural traditions, crafts and music.
Genealogical Records:

More than 18,000 volumes of unpublished source records have been copied and bound for the DAR Library.

Historic Preservation:
Oversees awarding of the Historic Preservation Medal and supervises the Historic Preservation Project Contest; documents historic site preservation and research.
Lineage Research:
Those knowledgeable in genealogy assist prospective members and hold workshops.
DAR Library:
Repository for electronic genealogical resources and microforms of state records not found in other local research centers.

Education

American History:

Sponsors American History essay contests for students in fifth through eighth grades, including homeschooled children as well as a high school essay contest.

American Indians:

DAR has assisted American Indians with financial and scholarship aid since 1936.

Community Classroom:

Seeks to encourage volunteers to provide additional support to children in classrooms and schools in their communities by providing time and financial support.

DAR Good Citizens:

Promotes dependability, service, leadership and patriotism among high school seniors by presenting national and state awards.

DAR Scholarship:

Thousands of dollars are awarded through NSDAR American history, political science, history, government, historic preservation, economics, music, nursing, medical and occupational therapy scholarships annually.

DAR Supported Schools:

Support given to Kate Duncan Smith DAR School, AL; Berry College, GA; Crossnore Communitiesfor Children, NC; Hillside School, MA; Hindman Settlement School, KY.

E Pluribus Unum Educational Initiative:

An initiative to increase awareness of Patriots of Color in the American Revolution, encourage their descendants to consider membership in the DAR, and publish more genealogical resources about people of color.

Junior American Citizens:

Citizenship training program for boys and girls, kindergarten through high school. JAC Clubs are available to parochial, private, public and homeschooled students.

Literacy Promotion:

Promotes adult literacy and involvement in literacy programs.

Patriotism

Community Service Awards:

Medals given to recognize local citizens for outstanding achievements in cultural, educational, humanitarian, patriotic and citizenship work in their communities.

Constitution Week:

DAR sponsors special programs during the week of September 17–23 to raise awareness about the United States Constitution. This official weeklong celebration of the Constitution was initiated by the DAR in 1955 and adopted by the U.S. Congress in 1956.

 

DAR Service for Veterans:

As a member of the National Veterans Administration Voluntary Service Advisory Committee, DAR has representatives in Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Centers. DAR members volunteer in VA facilities and in state- and community-based programs, donating gifts, cash, personal care items, cancelled postage stamps and thousands of hours of time in service to America’s veterans.

The Flag of the United States of America:

Thousands of flags, flag codes, certificates and other patriotic materials are distributed annually.

National Defense:

Youth Citizenship Awards are presented to elementary through high school students. Gold and bronze ROTC medals are presented to outstanding high school and college cadets.

DAR Project Patriot:

Provides support to America’s service personnel in current conflicts abroad.

 

Updated July 11, 2025