The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), in partnership with Serve Illinois, has released the FY 2026 AmeriCorps Competitive Traditional Grant opportunity. With an estimated $3 million in federal funding available, the program aims to strengthen Illinois communities by engaging AmeriCorps members in impactful, evidence-based service projects. Grants will range based on proposed scope and require cost-sharing or matching funds. Applications must be submitted via AmeriCorps' eGrants system by 4:00 PM CST on January 13, 2025, with additional required documents emailed to IDHS Serve Illinois.

Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, local governments, tribal entities, institutions of higher education, and State Service Commissions. Proposed projects must address priority areas, such as supporting underserved communities, advancing youth mental health, promoting environmental stewardship, or fostering workforce pathways in areas like public health and climate resilience. Applicants are also encouraged to implement diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies in project planning and execution.

Programs must operate for no more than 12 months, beginning between August 1 and September 1, 2025, and require a minimum match of 24% for new applicants, increasing incrementally in subsequent years. Organizations may allocate indirect costs using negotiated rates or the 10% de minimis rate. Grantees are expected to recruit and retain AmeriCorps members, report on performance outcomes quarterly, and adhere to National Service Criminal History Check (NSCHC) and other compliance requirements.

Scoring will be based on a 100-point merit-based review, with emphasis on program design (50%), organizational capacity (25%), and cost-effectiveness (25%). Applications must include a detailed logic model, narrative sections, budget information, and evidence of program impact. Technical assistance will be provided through a webinar on December 19, 2024, at 10:00 AM CST, with additional resources available online.

For questions or application support, applicants may contact IDHS Serve Illinois at DHS.ServeIllinois.NOFO@illinois.gov. Final award notifications are expected by mid-April 2025. Further details, including application instructions and evaluation criteria, can be found on the AmeriCorps and Serve Illinois websites.