The United States Association of Museum Volunteers (USAMV) was incorporated in 1979 under the Not-for-Profit Corporation laws of Washington, D.C. The USAMV became an affiliated committee of the American Association of Museums in 1981. In 1986, the USAMV changed its name to American Association for Museum Volunteers (AAMV).
AAMV is affiliated nationally with the American Association of Museums (AAM) and internationally with the World Federation of Friends of Museums (WFFM).