The importance of citizenship, community service, and voluntary organizations to a democratic society is considered, along with evidence that citizen service and influence could diminish in the future. Five roles for higher education in the development of active citizenship and personal community service are also indicated. Problems in relationships with government that result in less independence for voluntary organizations include: dependence on government funding and governmental controls over voluntary institutions; challenges to tax deductions, the consequences when contributions are considered a "tax expenditure," debate about relative roles of governmental and voluntary institutions; challenges to earned income, challenges to advocacy efforts, state laws and local ordinances governing public participation, changes in the definition of public charities and what they can do, and challenges to the property tax exemption. In colleges, matters of citizenship and community service are important topics for teaching and research. Career development for public service, such as public health and teaching, is an important role of colleges, which also can train older students who are volunteer or staff leaders of nonprofit groups. (SW).