AmeriCorps Formula Traditional
🏛 Illinois Department of Human Services
Can you apply?
This grant is for Illinois-based organizations serving communities through AmeriCorps members. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, government agencies, and community-based organizations working on evidence-based interventions. Organizations must demonstrate capacity to recruit, train, and supervise AmeriCorps members. They must commit to matching funds and addressing documented community needs. The grant supports service activities in education, health, public safety, and other critical areas. Applicants must comply with federal regulations and maintain administrative costs at minimal levels.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
Program description
AmeriCorps State and National (ASN) Program improve lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through service and volunteering. AmeriCorps State and National brings people together to tackle some of the country’s most pressing challenges through national service and volunteerism. AmeriCorps members serve with organizations dedicated to the improvement of communities and those serving. The AmeriCorps grant engages AmeriCorps members in evidence-based or evidence-informed interventions to strengthen communities.
An AmeriCorps member is an individual who does community service through AmeriCorps. Members may receive a living allowance and other benefits. After successful completion of their service, members earn a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award they can use to pay for higher education expenses or apply for qualified student loans. 1. Unite Americans by bringing them together in service.
2. Partner with communities and organizations to address unmet critical community needs.
3. Develop a lifelong ethic of service among the AmeriCorps members who serve. All applicants will use grant funds according to the guidelines, conditions, and parameters set forth in this funding notice and in compliance with federal statutes, regulations and the terms and conditions of any applicable federal awards.
Please refer to 2 CFR 200 – Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, PART 200 Subpart E – Cost Principles to determine the appropriateness of costs.
Allowable costs:
a. Allowable costs are those that are necessary and reasonable based on the activities contained in the Scope of Work, are justified in the Budget Narrative, and are allowable under Subpart E of 2 CFR 200. It is expected that administrative costs, both direct and indirect, will represent a small portion of the overall program budget. Any budget deemed to include inappropriate or excessive administrative costs will not be approved.
b. Program budgets and narratives must detail how all proposed expenditures are necessary for program implementation.
Unallowable costs:
a. Please refer to 2 CFR 200 – Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, PART 200 Subpart E – Cost Principles to determine the appropriateness of costs. In addition, and specific to this grant, the following costs will be unallowable without specific prior written approval from IDHS-Serve Illinois:
b. Entertainment costs, except where specific costs that might otherwise be considered entertainment have a programmatic purpose and are authorized in the approved budget (2 CFR 200.438)
c. Capital expenditures for general purpose equipment, including any vehicle regardless of cost, buildings, and land (2 CFR 200.439)
d. Capital expenditures for improvements to land, buildings, or equipment which materially increase their value or useful life (2 CFR 200.439)
e. Food, and other goods or services for personal use of the grantee’s employees, contractors, or consultants of the grantee unless authorized as per diem under the State of Illinois Governor’s Travel Control Board (2 CFR 200.445).
f. Deposits for items, services, or space
g Limitation of Use
i. Limitation of Use of Award funds for Employee Compensation: With respect to any award over $250,000, recipients may not use federal funds to pay total cash compensation to any employee that exceeds 110% of the maximum annual salary payable to a member of the Federal Government’s Senior Executive Service (SES) at an agency with a Certified SES Performance Appraisal System for that year. A salary table is available at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management website. Beneficiaries: 1. Funded programs recruit, train, and manage AmeriCorps members to effectively deliver services. AmeriCorps members serve in approved national service positions and may receive a living allowance and other allowable benefits during their term of service. Upon successful completion of service, members earn a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award, which may be used to pay for higher education expenses or applied toward qualified student loans. Federal Assistance Listing: 94.006 — AmeriCorps State and National 94.006. Administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services via the Illinois GATA Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA 444-80-2810).
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Project Narrative with evidence-based approach description
- Detailed Budget and Budget Narrative
- AmeriCorps Member Recruitment and Supervision Plan
- Community Partnerships and Letters of Support
- Evaluation Plan with measurable outcomes
- Organizational capacity documentation
- Cost-Share Commitment letter
Program contact
- 👤 Cory Blissett
- 📧 Cory.Blissett@illinois.gov
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 94.006 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$107,194,871
-
$79,797,447
-
$69,883,505
-
$55,298,324
-
$54,028,338
-
$46,960,043
-
$42,667,767
-
$37,721,582
-
$37,622,754
-
$36,475,427
Top States by Funding
- MN 6 awards $270.9M
- CA 8 awards $270.8M
- MA 8 awards $219.5M
- TX 8 awards $167.4M
- NY 7 awards $107.9M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Illinois state appropriations. How funding has trended year over year.
| 2023 | $4,821,628 | |
| 2024 | $6,290,723 | |
| 2025 | $10,409,417 | |
| 2027 | $6,200,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Nonprofits, government agencies, and community-based organizations in Illinois can apply. You must have capacity to manage AmeriCorps members and demonstrate community partnerships.
What is the deadline?
The deadline is June 12, 2026, though exact timing may vary. Check with IDHS-Serve Illinois for any updates or rolling deadlines.
What activities does this grant support?
Funding supports evidence-based service programs using AmeriCorps members. Eligible areas include education, health, public safety, and community development.
Is cost sharing required?
Yes, cost sharing is required. You must contribute non-federal funds to match a portion of the grant award.
What is the typical funding range?
Awards typically range from $250,000 to $1,000,000. Exact amounts depend on your proposed service model and community need.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize evidence-based or evidence-informed practices in your service model. Reviewers prioritize proven approaches with measurable outcomes.
- Provide detailed budget narratives justifying every expense. Administrative costs must be minimal relative to service delivery.
- Demonstrate strong community partnerships and documented need. Show how your organization will recruit and retain quality AmeriCorps members.
- Budget carefully for member living allowances, benefits, and Segal Awards. These are significant line items in AmeriCorps grants.
- Include clear evaluation plans showing how you'll measure civic engagement, community impact, and member development outcomes.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Underestimating administrative burden and member support costs. Vague or poorly justified budget narratives that don't align with program activities. Failing to articulate measurable outcomes or evidence base for proposed interventions.
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