Maine Rural State Americorps Grants

Volunteer Maine, the Maine Commission for Community Service, has released Request for Applications (RFA) #202508124 for the Maine Rural State AmeriCorps Grants. Volunteer Maine is the state partner for AmeriCorps and is responsible for selecting, funding, and monitoring AmeriCorps State programs in Maine. Established in 1994, the Commission supports national service and volunteerism as strategies to meet community needs. This grant competition is designed to fund AmeriCorps programs that address rural challenges in Maine through evidence-based models that engage AmeriCorps members in direct service activities. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to strengthen rural communities by supporting AmeriCorps programs that deliver between 3,400 and 8,600 hours of service annually. Priority funding areas include public health, workforce development, affordable housing, and environmental resilience. Applicants may also propose programs in federally recognized AmeriCorps focus areas such as disaster services, education, economic opportunity, environmental stewardship, healthy futures, veterans and military families, and capacity building. Programs must recruit AmeriCorps members who will engage in evidence-based interventions and may also recruit and manage local volunteers to sustain program impact beyond the grant term. Funding is provided through fixed-amount grants, with awards ranging between $54,000 and $135,000. The maximum allowable cost per Member Service Year (MSY) is $27,000. Grantees are reimbursed based on member enrollment and retention rather than detailed expense reporting. While AmeriCorps funds partially cover operational costs, programs must secure additional local resources, both cash and in-kind, to sustain operations. Living allowances, education awards, and benefits such as health insurance, childcare, and housing support are available for AmeriCorps members under program rules. Matching requirements vary by grant type, with fixed-amount grants not requiring a specific match but still requiring adequate support to sustain activities. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, higher education institutions, faith-based groups, labor organizations, federally recognized Tribes, and regional organizations, provided they operate solely in Maine and maintain a physical presence in the communities they serve. Only organizations that have never previously been awarded an AmeriCorps grant are eligible, though those that have hosted AmeriCorps members without managing fiscal responsibilities may apply. Certain exclusions apply, including organizations convicted of federal crimes or 501(c)(4) entities engaged in lobbying. The application process requires submission through the federal eGrants system and additional documentation sent via email to the Maine Division of Procurement Services. Required documents include an organizational chart, readiness assessment, financial surveys, recent audits, and IRS Form 990, as applicable. Proposals must also comply with requirements such as criminal history checks for members, performance measure tracking, and inclusion of community volunteers. A virtual information session will be held on September 16, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. All questions must be submitted by October 1, 2025. Final applications are due by October 15, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. local time. Awards will cover a three-year period, with continuation funding for years two and three contingent upon performance reviews. Applications will be evaluated through a two-phase process. Phase One involves peer review, with scoring weighted at 50 percent for program design, 25 percent for organizational capability, and 25 percent for cost effectiveness and budget adequacy. Proposals must address community need, program design, member recruitment and retention, and data collection. Phase Two involves review by the Grants Selection and Performance Task Force, which evaluates alignment with Commission priorities, program readiness, fiscal systems, and past performance. Final funding decisions will be made by the Maine Commission for Community Service at its May 2025 business meeting. Award notifications will follow, with final approval subject to state procurement and federal AmeriCorps authorization. The RFA Coordinator for this competition is Jamie McFaul, Proposal Coordinator, who is the sole authorized point of contact for applicants. Communication outside this channel may result in disqualification. Contact information for the Coordinator is service.commission@maine.gov, phone 207-624-7792, and mailing address 19 Elkins Lane, 105 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-1005. Applicants are encouraged to carefully review all program requirements and evaluation criteria before submission, as only complete and compliant proposals will be considered for funding.

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