AmeriCorps State and National Grants Program

The FY 2026 AmeriCorps State and National Grants program is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, operating as AmeriCorps, in partnership with the North Carolina Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service, known as VolunteerNC. The program is designed to strengthen communities, improve lives, and foster civic engagement by supporting organizations that engage AmeriCorps members in national service activities. VolunteerNC operates within the Office of the Governor and is responsible for managing AmeriCorps funding within North Carolina, aligning national service efforts with state priorities and community needs. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support eligible organizations in deploying AmeriCorps members to address critical community challenges through evidence-based or evidence-informed interventions. These challenges include areas such as disaster services, economic opportunity, education, environmental stewardship, public safety, and health-related services. Programs are expected to demonstrate measurable outcomes and align their activities with defined performance measures. AmeriCorps members serve in various host organizations including nonprofits, schools, public agencies, and community-based organizations, contributing to direct service activities that benefit communities while gaining professional and personal development. Funding under this opportunity is structured through different grant types, including cost reimbursement and fixed amount grants. The funding is calculated based on Member Service Years, with a maximum federal share of up to 25,000 dollars per Member Service Year for certain grant types. Awards are generally structured as three-year grants, with initial funding awarded for the first year and continuation funding dependent on performance and federal appropriations. Programs must comply with detailed cost principles, allowable expense categories, and restrictions, including limits on indirect costs and requirements for member living allowances. Eligible applicants include a broad range of non-federal entities such as nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, local governments including school districts, Indian tribes, and state agencies. Applicants must have active System for Award Management registration and a valid Unique Entity Identifier. Additional eligibility requirements include compliance with federal regulations, absence of certain legal or financial disqualifications, and the ability to meet cost-sharing requirements where applicable. For cost reimbursement grants, applicants must provide matching funds starting at 24 percent for the initial funding period, with increasing requirements in subsequent years. The application process includes multiple required components and submission steps. New applicants were required to submit an Intent to Apply and a concept paper by early March 2026, followed by a full application submission through the AmeriCorps eGrants system by March 31, 2026. Applications must include narrative sections such as program design, organizational capability, and budget adequacy, along with performance measures and supporting documentation. All applicants must ensure compliance with submission requirements, including page limits and required forms, and must submit additional documents such as audits and budget worksheets where applicable. Applications are evaluated based on a structured review process that includes internal and external peer review. Key evaluation criteria include program design, organizational capacity, cost effectiveness, and the ability to deliver measurable outcomes. Programs must demonstrate a strong logic model, evidence-based approach, and clear alignment with AmeriCorps priorities. VolunteerNC may request clarification during the review process and conducts risk assessments to evaluate applicants’ financial and operational capacity. Final award decisions are influenced by application quality, alignment with strategic priorities, and available funding. The application period for this funding opportunity closed on March 31, 2026. Awards are anticipated to be announced by August 2026, contingent on federal appropriations. The earliest program start date is August 1, 2026, and funded programs are expected to adhere to all reporting, compliance, and performance measurement requirements throughout the grant period. This funding opportunity is part of an ongoing annual cycle, with future funding rounds expected to follow a similar timeline.

Focus on strong logic model alignment with measurable outcomes and evidence-based interventions; ensure compliance with page limits and required documentation