AmeriCorps Competitive Traditional

The AmeriCorps Competitive Traditional grant opportunity is administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), specifically through the Office of Community and Positive Youth Development and the Bureau of Volunteerism and Community Service. This program falls under the broader umbrella of AmeriCorps State and National grants, which support service-driven projects designed to tackle community challenges and promote civic engagement. The funding originates from federal pass-through funds, authorized by the National and Community Service Act of 1990 and governed by applicable federal regulations, including 45 CFR Chapter XXII and XXV. The core aim of this grant is to fund programs that address pressing community needs in areas such as education, economic opportunity, health, veterans’ support, and public safety through evidence-based or evidence-informed interventions. Successful grantees will deploy AmeriCorps members to perform direct services and/or capacity-building activities that contribute to measurable community impact. AmeriCorps members engaged through these projects may receive a living allowance, training, and upon completion of their service, a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award to be used toward higher education or qualified student loan repayment. Applicants must be eligible non-federal entities such as nonprofits, institutions of higher education, Indian Tribes, state and local governments, and school districts. Programs must enroll a minimum of 20 AmeriCorps members unless exempted under specific conditions. Additional eligibility conditions include registration and active status in SAM.gov, possession of a Unique Entity ID, and good standing with various state and federal compliance lists. Programs must meet cost-sharing requirements, beginning with a 24% match in years 1–3 and scaling up to 30% in year 10 and beyond, unless a waiver is granted, especially for Tribal organizations. The funding range for individual awards spans from $75,000 to $800,000, with a total estimated program funding pool of $3 million and an expected eight awards. Pre-award costs are allowed for up to one month prior to the program start date with prior approval. Indirect costs are allowed but must be calculated according to a federally approved rate or the 15% de minimis rate. Specific restrictions apply to certain expenses, including entertainment, food for personal use, and general-purpose vehicles or capital expenditures, unless explicitly pre-approved. The application process requires submission through AmeriCorps' eGrants system and the IDHS CSA system, along with supporting documentation via email. Required components include a program narrative, logic model, budget and justification, and specific performance measures. The application must be complete and adhere to strict formatting requirements, including page and file size limits. A technical assistance webinar will be held on February 26, 2026, though attendance is optional. Applications are due by 4:00 PM CST on March 23, 2026. Anticipated award announcements are expected by August 15, 2026, with funded programs beginning no earlier than September 1, 2026, and running through August 31, 2027. Programs are expected to demonstrate outcomes using state and national performance measures and must provide quarterly and final reports. Grantees are also required to participate in trainings, adhere to program oversight standards, and comply with AmeriCorps member recruitment and supervision guidelines. The program encourages the inclusion of underserved communities and aims to build a diverse and inclusive service environment. Applications are reviewed through a merit-based process that evaluates program design, organizational capacity, cost-effectiveness, and alignment with stated priorities. Funding recommendations are made based on scores, strategic factors, and the discretion of IDHS – Serve Illinois and AmeriCorps State and National.

Align program design with logic model and performance measures; Emphasize priority service populations; Ensure prequalification and SAM.gov registration.