AmeriCorps Formula Fixed
🏛 Illinois Department of Human Services
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations applying for AmeriCorps State and National funding through Illinois. Applicants must be prepared to engage AmeriCorps members in evidence-based or evidence-informed service interventions that strengthen communities.
Organizations partner with AmeriCorps to deploy members who provide direct community service. Members receive living allowances and benefits, plus earn Segal Education Awards upon completion.
The grant supports activities that unite Americans in service, address unmet community needs, and develop lifelong civic engagement. All budgets must comply with federal cost principles under 2 CFR 200.
This grant is for organizations applying for AmeriCorps State and National funding through Illinois. Applicants must be prepared to engage AmeriCorps members in evidence-based or evidence-informed service interventions that strengthen communities.
Organizations partner with AmeriCorps to deploy members who provide direct community service. Members receive living allowances and benefits, plus earn Segal Education Awards upon completion.
The grant supports activities that unite Americans in service, address unmet community needs, and develop lifelong civic engagement. All budgets must comply with federal cost principles under 2 CFR 200.
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:
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 444-80-2809).
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- Colleges (all higher ed)
- Individuals
- Nonprofits
- Public Authority
- Public K-12 School
- Tribal Nation
Details
This grant is for organizations applying for AmeriCorps State and National funding through Illinois. Applicants must be prepared to engage AmeriCorps members in evidence-based or evidence-informed service interventions that strengthen communities.
Organizations partner with AmeriCorps to deploy members who provide direct community service. Members receive living allowances and benefits, plus earn Segal Education Awards upon completion.
The grant supports activities that unite Americans in service, address unmet community needs, and develop lifelong civic engagement. All budgets must comply with federal cost principles under 2 CFR 200.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Program Narrative describing AmeriCorps member roles and service model
- Budget and Budget Narrative detailing all costs under 2 CFR 200
- Organizational capacity and partner organization letters of support
- Evidence of program design and evaluation approach
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
-
$36,475,685
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 | $643,200 | |
| 2024 | $135,000 | |
| 2025 | $135,000 | |
| 2027 | $500,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Organizations that can serve as AmeriCorps program sponsors and engage members in evidence-based community service. Contact Illinois Department of Human Services for specific eligibility requirements.
What are the typical award amounts?
Awards typically range from $100,000 to $150,000. Total program funding pool is $500,000.
What costs are not allowed?
Entertainment, general vehicles/equipment, building improvements, personal meals, and advance deposits are unallowable. Prior written approval required for any exceptions.
What are the deadline and funding timeline?
Application deadline is June 12, 2026. Specific program year and award timing should be confirmed with Illinois IDHS.
Can we cover staff salaries and AmeriCorps member stipends?
Salaries are generally allowable under federal cost principles. Member living allowances and Segal Awards are core program costs. Keep administrative costs minimal.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Build your budget narrative carefully showing how every dollar supports evidence-based service activities. Reviewers scrutinize administrative overhead.
- Document your partnership with community organizations and describe unmet needs your AmeriCorps members will address with evidence-based interventions.
- Ensure your proposed AmeriCorps member roles align with one of the three grant goals: uniting Americans, addressing community needs, or developing civic engagement.
- Review 2 CFR 200 Subpart E before finalizing your budget to avoid cost allowability disputes. Have legal/compliance review your plan.
- Prepare to show how your program outcomes will be measured and how members will earn their Segal Education Awards after service completion.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Overbudgeting administrative and indirect costs when federal reviewers expect them to be minimal. Not documenting how proposed activities meet evidence-based intervention standards or address specific unmet community needs. Failing to comply with 2 CFR 200 cost principles or including vehicle purchases, meals, or entertainment without advance written approval.
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