AmeriCorps Competitive Traditional Grant

AmeriCorps Competitive Traditional Grant is sponsored by Illinois Department of Human Services. Engages members in impactful community service initiatives, offering a living allowance and the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award for further education.

IDHS: AmeriCorps Competitive Traditional (Illinois) (27-444-80-2808-01) Notice of Funding Opportunity --> Anyone, 6 months or older, is eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Find your nearest vaccination location at vaccines. gov .

--> View up to date information on Illinois' (COVID-19) vaccine plan and vaccination eligibility from the State of Illinois Coronavirus Response Site View up to date information on how Illinois is handling the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) from the State of Illinois Coronavirus Response Site View up-to-date information for IDHS staff and providers on the IDHS Coronavirus Page Illinois Department of Human Services JB Pritzker, Governor · Dulce M.

Quintero, Secretary IDHS Grants Administration Family & Community Services Grants - FY 2027 Office of Community & Positive Youth Development Opportunities AmeriCorps Competitive Traditional (Illinois) (27-444-80-2808-01) Notice of Funding Opportunity 1.

- Basic Information (CSFA Data Section) Items 1(A) - 1(E) are in the CSFA Data Table Below: Awarding Agency Name (1-A) Illinois Department of Human Services Office of Community and Positive Youth Development; Bureau of Volunteerism and Community Service DHS. ServeIllinois. NOFO@illinois.

gov Funding Opportunity Title (1-B) AmeriCorps Competitive Traditional (Illinois) Funding Opportunity Number (1-D) March 23, 2026 by 4:00pm (CST) Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA) Number Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA) Name AmeriCorps Competitive Traditional Assistance Listing Number(s) (1-E) Estimated Total Program Funding Amount Anticipated Number of Awards Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement?

Yes (See Section 2: Eligibility , subsection ii. for more information) Restrictions on Indirect Costs? Yes (See Section 4: Application Contents and Format, subsection ii .

for more information) Technical Assistance Session Offered Wednesday, February 26, 2026 at 1:00pm (CST) Technical Assistance Registration 1. - Basic Information Continued - Section F through I The Department expects to award approximately $3,000,000. The source of funding for this program is Federal Pass-Through funds.

The Department anticipates funding approximately eight (8) grant awards to provide this program. Expected Dollar Amount of Individual Grant Awards The Department anticipates that the dollar amount of individual awards will be $75,000 - $800,000. Average amount of Funding per Grant Award on average in previous years.

Average funding amount for this grant award program in previous years was $428,000. Renewal or Supplementation of Existing Projects Eligibility. Applications for renewal or supplementation of existing projects are/are not eligible to compete with applications for new State awards Successful applicants under this NOFO may be eligible to receive two subsequent one-year grant renewals for this program.

Renewals are at the discretion of the Department and are based on sufficient appropriation and performance criteria including, but not limited to: Grantee has performed satisfactorily during the previous reporting period All required reports have been submitted on time, unless a written exception has been provided by the Division/Department No outstanding issues are present (e.g., in good standing with all pre-qualification requirements and no outstanding corrective action, etc.) Sub-Recipient Agreement(s) and budgets must be pre-approved by the Department and on file with the Department.

Sub-recipients are subject to all provisions of this Agreement. The successful applicant Agency shall retain sole responsibility for the performance and monitoring of the sub-recipient. Pre-Award Costs are allowed subject to the discretion, review, and prior approval of the IDHS Budget Committee.

Pre-Award Costs must be identified as such in the IDHS Uniform Grant Budget Narrative. Pre-Award costs are/are not allowable for this award IDHS grants are governed by 2 CFR. Part 200, Subpart E-Cost Principles and 30 ILCS 708 which include information on allowable costs, audit requirements, and financial records.

Indirect Costs (may/may not) be applied to this grant award. Indirect Cost rates must be approved through the Illinois Indirect Cost Rate Election System (ICRES) The release of this NOFO does not obligate the Illinois Department of Human Services to make an award. Application Posting Date: February 20, 2026.

The Department must receive the Preliminary Submission materials (Letter of Intent, etc.): Not applicable The Department must receive the Full Application: Due on March 23, 2026 at 4:00pm CST. Anticipated Award Date August 15, 2026. Anticipated Start Dates and Periods of Performance for new grant awards.

Subject to appropriation, the grant period will begin no sooner than September 1, 2026 and will continue through August 21, 2027. The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) - Serve Illinois and AmeriCorps State and National grantees are awarded to eligible organizations that engage AmeriCorps members in evidence-based or evidence-informed interventions to strengthen communities.

An AmeriCorps member is a person 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 to qualified student loans.

AmeriCorps State and National improves 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.

This funding opportunity is open to new, recompete, and continuation applicants in any community located in Illinois. Any applicants selected for funding will be notified by IDHS - Serve Illinois and a contract will be sent requiring a signature form the program designee. Please reference Section 4: Application Contents and Format, subsection i.

for the required Executive Summary language. Agency Contact Information If you have questions about this NOFO, please contact contact Rachael Tuxhorn at DHS. ServeIllinois.

NOFO@illinois. gov with "FY27 Competitive Traditional NOFO" in the subject line beginning February 23, 2026. A frequently asked question and answer page can be found here Questions & Answers and posted on the IDHS website.

Questions submitted up to three (3) business days prior to the end of the NOFO posting period will be posted on the website. An organization must have a negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA) with the State of Illinois, A Federal NICRA, or must elect to use the 15% de minimis rate to be reimbursed for any indirect costs within a program.

All State of Illinois grantees also have the option to select "no rate" and not claim any indirect costs. Awardees must select an indirect cost election in the Grantee Portal on an annual basis. Note - The election for "no rate" and "de minimis" continue indefinitely once initially selected until a new election is made.

All State of Illinois grantees receiving awards from Illinois grant making agencies must substantiate or elect an indirect cost rate for their organization. Grantees that wish to negotiate a rate with the State of Illinois will start their election process in the Grantee Portal and the case will then be sent to the Crowe Resource Management Program (CRMP) to begin negotiation.

Please click on the Centralized Indirect Cost Rate System to begin the indirect cost rate election process and obtain access to resources and points of contact to assist your organization in completing this process. The amount of funding per award, on average, experienced in previous years has been $428,000. This is a legacy (established) program that is open to new, continuation, and recompete applicants.

The numerical score may not be the sole award criterion. The Department reserves the right to consider other factors such as geographical distribution, demonstrated need, service capacity, cost effectiveness, demonstrated local community presence, agency past performance as a state grantee etc., and other items identified in Funding Priorities found in Section 3: Program Description, subsection i .

While the recommendation of the review panel will be a key factor in the funding decision, the Department maintains final authority over funding decisions and considers the findings of the reviewers to be non-binding recommendations. Any internal documentation used in scoring or awarding of grants shall not be considered public information.

The Department reserves the right to negotiate with successful applicants to adjust award amounts, targets, deliverables, etc. The following non-federal organizations are eligible to apply and are subject to the limitations described below. Institutions of higher education Local governments, including school districts; Nonprofit organizations; and 5. States and US Territories In addition to Indian Tribes as defined in 2 CFR 200.

1, Tribal organizations that are controlled, authorized, or chartered by Federally recognized Indian Tribes are also eligible to apply.

If an entity applies for an award as a tribal organization that is controlled or chartered by one or more Indian Tribes [and the organization does not meet any of the other applicant eligibility types], the organization must provide copies or links to documentation which demonstrates that the organization is controlled or chartered by a federally recognized Indian Tribe.

If an entity applies as an organization authorized by a federally recognized Tribe, or multiple specific federally recognized tribes, it must submit a resolution or other authorization adopted by the Tribal Council (or comparable tribal governing body) of each Indian Tribe.

The authorization(s) must identify the entity applying for an AmeriCorps award by name as a tribal organization that is authorized by the Indian Tribe(s) for the purpose of applying for AmeriCorps funding (or federal grant funds generally). The applicant must meet the Registration, Pre-qualification and any other Mandatory Requirements listed in this funding opportunity.

Applicants must provide the following information via the Grantee Portal annually to be registered with the State of Illinois as an awardee: Organization name and contact information Federal Employee Identification Number (FEIN) Unique Identity Number (UEI) Applicants must be prequalified; therefore, applications from entities that have not prequalified prior to and on the due date of this application will NOT be reviewed and will NOT be considered for funding.

Items a) through e) below are the prequalification requirements. Unique Entity Identifiers and SAM Registration: Each applicant (unless the applicant is an individual or State awarding agency that is exempt from those requirements under 2 CFR § 25. 110 , or has an exception approved by the Federal or State awarding agency under 2 CFR § 25.

110 is required to: Be registered in SAM. gov before the application due date. Provide a valid unique entity identifier (UEI) in its application.

Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active award or an application or plan under consideration by the awarding agency. Use the SAM Quick Guide for Grantees . The State Agency may not make an award until applicant has fully complied to all UEI and SAM requirements.

The State Agency may determine that an applicant is not qualified if they have not complied to requirements and use that determination as a basis to award another applicant or applicants. Must be in "good standing" with the Illinois Secretary of State if the Illinois Secretary of State requires the entity's organization type to be registered. Must not be on the Illinois Stop Payment List Must not be on the Sam.

gov Exclusion List Must not be on the Medicaid Sanctions List Additional Mandatory Requirements Threshold Requirements: Specific types of applicants/applications must meet the following requirements: Professional Corps must show that the community where it will place AmeriCorps members has a shortage of professionals in the relevant area, e.g., teachers, medical professionals, etc. If service activities require special member qualifications and/or training, such as tutoring programs, the applicant must describe how these requirements will be met.

All applicants must propose program designs that are either evidence-based or evidence-informed. (See Section 4: Application Contents and Format, subsection i .) Applicants rated as insufficient evidence are removed from funding consideration.

Insufficient evidence is determined by: An applicant being assessed as in the pre-preliminary evidence tier AND Providing inadequate responses to the Evidence Quality review standards below. If the applicant is new or recompeting in Program Year 2026, they must submit an application that proposes to enroll a minimum of 20 AmeriCorps members.

New and recompete competitive applications with less than 20 members will be deemed noncompliant and will not be reviewed. The minimum of 20 AmeriCorps members does not apply to Program Year 2026 applicants who are in Year 2 or Year 3, Indian Tribe applicants, Tribal organizations that are controlled, authorized, or chartered by Federally recognized Indian Tribes.

Organizations that have violated a federal criminal statute may not receive AmeriCorps funds. Organizations that propose activities that are not allowed by AmeriCorps' laws, rules, or terms and conditions cannot receive AmeriCorps funding. Organizations that have any unpaid federal tax liability are not allowed to receive an award.

AmeriCorps cannot provide funding to any corporation that has unpaid federal taxes that are not being paid through an agreement with the relevant tax authority. However, this does not apply if a federal agency decided that a suspension or debarment for the corporation is not necessary. Organizations that are described in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, 26 U.S.C.

§501 (c)(4) that lobby cannot receive AmeriCorps funding according to the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 . Eligibility factors for the principal investigator or project director if any.

Member Living Allowances: Table: Program Year 2026 Minimum and Maximum Living Allowance for New and Recompete Applicants Maximum Total Living Allowance Table: Program Year 2026 Minimum and Maximum Living Allowance for Continuation Applicants in Year 2 or Year 3 of Funding Maximum Total Living Allowance Exceptions to the Living Allowance Requirements Programs existing prior to September 21, 1993, do not have to offer a living allowance.

If an organization chooses to offer a living allowance, it does not have to pay its members the minimum but cannot exceed the maximum. Maximum Cost per Member Service Year: The cost per MSY is determined by dividing the AmeriCorps share of budgeted grants by the number of MSYs requested. It does not include childcare or the value of the education award a member may earn.

AmeriCorps is keeping the maximum cost per MSY at the same amount as last year as a safeguard to ensure the number of members serving remains the same or grows. Table: Maximum Cost per MSY Individual Competitive State/Territory Program (cost reimbursement) Eligibility factors for the principal investigator or project director if any: N/A Successful Applicants will not receive an award if Pre-Award Requirements are not met.

Qualified status is re-verified nightly. If the entity's status changes, an email notice is sent to the designated entity representative with a link to the Grantee Portal. See Sec tion 1: Basic Information, subsection i .

for funding restrictions, if applicable. Other factors that would disqualify an applicant or application include: N/A G. Limit on number of applications: N/A Providers are required to provide in-kind and/or financial match.

Applicants are required to match funds provided by IDHS - Serve Illinois and AmeriCorps State and National. The applicant's match can be non-AmeriCorps cash and/or in-kind contributions. Applicants must show that they can meet the match requirement when they submit the application.

Applicants must indicate whether the match funding is proposed or secured. A first-time successful applicant is required to match at 24 percent for the first three-year funding period. Starting with year four, the match requirement gradually increases every three years to 30 percent by year ten.

Providers are not required to participate in cost sharing or provide match. Table: AmeriCorps Required Match Grantee Share Requirements Please use the Match Waiver information for AmeriCorps State and National Grantees located on the Manage Your Grant | AmeriCorps webpage . IDHS - Serve Illinois and AmeriCorps State and National encourages Tribal Nations to request match waivers to reduce barriers.

Every effort will be made to reduce the match requirements to improve accessibility to funding. The general purpose of the funding is to support eligible organizations that identify an unmet need in their community to be addressed by AmeriCorps members. Funded projects are expected to achieve outcomes in the areas of education, economic opportunity, healthy futures, or support for veterans for the public good.

The AmeriCorps State and National (ASN) Program improves lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through national service. Through AmeriCorps grants, organizations address community and national challenges by engaging AmeriCorps members in service and volunteer-driven solutions.

Programs implement evidence-based or evidence-informed interventions that provide direct service and/or capacity-building activities to strengthen local communities. 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. The State agency's funding priorities or focus areas. IDHS is working to counteract systemic racism and inequity, and to prioritize and maximize diversity throughout its service provision process.

This work involves addressing existing institutionalized inequities, aiming to create transformation, and operationalizing equity and racial justice. It also focuses on the creation of a culture of inclusivity for all, regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or ability.

For this funding opportunity, IDHS - Serve Illinois will prioritize consideration from organizations that: Organizations that are faith-based Serve communities with concentrated poverty, rural communities, and tribal communities. Implement programs for or expand access to high-quality youth mental health and substance use recovery services and prepare AmeriCorps members to enter behavioral health careers.

These may include individuals who have experienced substance use and mental health challenges. Focus on improving quality of life for veterans, active-duty members of the Armed Forces, and their families through models that provide effective interventions or services or that are designed to recruit veterans, military spouses, and their older children into national service; e.g. veterans serving in mentorship roles.

Focus on public safety, crime prevention, and/or partnerships between law enforcement and the community. Focus on expanding outdoor recreation opportunities for future generations by maintaining public lands; supporting wildland fire mitigation and sustainable forest management; and providing reforestation services.

Create workforce pathways for AmeriCorps members, including deliberate training, such as pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship opportunities, certifications, and hiring preferences or support; Focus on strengthening families, e.g., activities that aim to support low-income parents through parenting education, responsible parenting, and health relations skills.

Benefit AmeriCorps Members: Enhanced member experience by providing opportunities for skill attainment, personal growth, and connection to the community they are serving in support; of a lifetime civic participation. Enhance and expand services to formerly incarcerated and at-risk youth and/or engage those youth as AmeriCorps members.

Utilize reports from the AmeriCorps Evidence Exchange on programs assessed as having Moderate or Strong evidence to scale, replicate, or adapt the intervention; To receive priority consideration, applicants must show the priority area is a significant part of the program focus and intended outcomes. Priority consideration does not guarantee funding.

Goals and objectives of the Program: Unite Americans by bringing them together in service. Partner with communities and organizations to address unmet critical community needs. Develop a lifelong ethic of service among the AmeriCorps members who serve.

The Provider will provide the services and agrees to act in compliance with all state and federal statutes and administrative rules applicable to the provision of services pursuant to this Agreement. The grant application, submitted by the Provider, relates to this Agreement must be implemented as outlined below.

The Provider will comply with applicable General Grant and Cooperative Agreement Terms and Conditions and Executive Orders (pdf). The Provider will comply with member recruitment and selection requirements as outlined in AmeriCorps' regulations at 45 CFR §§ 2522. 210 and Part 2540, subpart B .

The Provider will ensure that each member has sufficient opportunity to complete the required number of hours of service to qualify for the education award. The Provider will adhere to all requirements outlined in the IDHS - Serve Illinois Program Director's Manual. Conduct National Service Criminal History Check (NSCHC) requirements as outlined in the NSCHC Manual (pdf) and regulations at 45 CFR § 2540, subpart B .

Recruit and retain the allocated number and type of slots (e.g., full-time, half-time) of AmeriCorps members. Provide services with the designated population(s) in the service area that work towards meeting the specified outcomes and outputs that align with primary services, addressing the focus area(s), and, if applicable, engaging volunteers in accordance with the approved program plan.

Adhere to the performance measures and evaluation in the approved program plan as required by IDHS - Serve Illinois and AmeriCorps State and National. Supervise and train members throughout their service term as outlined in the approved program plan. Provide all members with AmeriCorps uniforms, service gear, personal protective equipment and all other service materials required to accomplish the member's service hours.

Participate in IDHS - Serve Illinois and AmeriCorps State and National scheduled meetings and trainings (including individual monthly program meetings, quarterly meetings, and AmeriCorps virtual trainings). Certify member enrollment in My AmeriCorps Portal for all members within eight calendar days of the AmeriCorps members' starting a term of service.

All sites are encouraged but not required to host/co-host an event for AmeriCorps week, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr holiday, and 9/11 Remembrance. Host a National Service Opening Day event/activity at the program site no later than six weeks from the start date of the program. Programs are to be designed to operate for no more than 12 months.

The 12 months should begin no sooner than September 1, 2026, and operate through the end of the project period. Performance Measures and Standards At the end of each quarter, successful applicants will submit a periodic performance report (PPR). At the end of the year, successful applicants will submit a cumulative report.

In addition to service data and activities, the PPRs will also include the following performance measures: State Performance Measures Execute an approved overall program plan designed to serve the target population and achieve identified program goals. Execute a detailed member outreach and recruitment plan. Ensure that each AmeriCorps member completes the required number of hours of service to qualify for the education award.

Ensure provider participation in IDHS - Serve Illinois and AmeriCorps State and National meetings, activities, and trainings. Ensure AmeriCorps member participation in IDHS - Serve Illinois and AmeriCorps State and National sanctioned activities and trainings. Ensure timely exit of all members.

Complete all required reports and program closeout by agreed deadlines. National Performance Measures All applications must include at least one aligned performance measure, output, and outcome that corresponds to the proposed primary intervention. This may be a National Performance Measure or an applicant-determined measure.

For more information, refer to the AmeriCorps State and National Performance Measure Instructions 2026 (pdf). Program Performance Standards Execution of IDHS - Serve Illinois and AmeriCorps State and National-approved program plan designed to serve the target population and achieve identified program goals by the date in the approved timeline.

50% of approved member slots are recruited and enrolled within 30 days of the program start date. 85% of enrolled AmeriCorps members qualify for the education award by program end. 80% provider attendance rate for participation in IDHS - Serve Illinois and AmeriCorps State and National meetings, activities, and trainings.

80% participation rate of currently enrolled members (on the date of the activity/training) in IDHS - Serve Illinois and AmeriCorps State and National sanctioned required activities and trainings. 100% of enrolled members are exited from the eGrants system within 30 days of the end of their term of service. 100% accurate completion of all required reports and program closeout by the agreed deadline.

National Performance Standards National Performance Standards. Must be consistent with chosen performance measures. See AmeriCorps State and National Performance Measure Instructions 2026 (pdf).

For cooperative agreements, the "substantial involvement" that the State agency expects to have are: N/A Specific unallowable costs for this program include the following: 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 - Serve Illinois: 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 ) Capital expenditures for general purpose equipment, including any vehicle regardless of cost, buildings, and land ( 2 CFR 200. 439 ) Capital expenditures for improvements to land, buildings, or equipment which materially increase their value or useful life ( 2 CFR 200.

439 ) 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 ).

Deposits for items, services, or space 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: Rates of Basic Pay for Members of the Senior Executive Service (pdf) . Program beneficiaries or program participants must meet the following requirements: IDHS - Serve Illinois and AmeriCorps do not have specific eligibility requirements for program beneficiaries.

Requirements for AmeriCorps Program Participants (Members): Be at least 17 years of age at the commencement of service; or Be an out-of-school youth 16 years of age at the commencement of service participating in a program described in 45 CFR 2522.

110(b)(3) or (g) ; Have a high school diploma or its equivalent; or Not have dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant and must agree to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award; or Obtain a waiver from AmeriCorps of the requirements in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section based on an independent evaluation secured by the program demonstrating that the individual is not capable of obtaining a high school diploma or its equivalent; or Be enrolled in an institution of higher education on an ability to benefit basis and be considered eligible for funds under section 484 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C.

1091 ); Be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States: Satisfy the National Service Criminal History Check eligibility criteria pursuant to 45 CFR 2540. 202 . Provide written declaration regarding high school diploma sufficient for enrollment.

Provide primary documentation of status as a U.S. citizen or national. Provide primary documentation of status as a lawful permanent resident alien of the United States. Authorizing statutes and regulations for the funding opportunity include the following: Statutory Authority: Awards under this Notice are authorized by the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (pdf) , as amended, (42 U.S.C.

§12501 et seq.) . Regulations include 45 CFR Chapter XXII and 45 CFR Chapter XXV .

4. - Application Contents and Format. Content and Form of Application Requirement Pre-applications, letters of intent, or white papers are not required or encouraged.

Required Content of Application Applications must include the required documents and demonstrate that the program eligibility requirements have been met. The Department will not contact applicants for missing items listed below. Applicants that do not include all the following documents will be considered substantially incomplete and will not be considered for funding.

Refer to Section 6: Application Review Information, subsection i. for details. This notice should be read together with the AmeriCorps regulations, Application Instructions (pdf), Performance Measures Instructions (pdf), and Mandatory Supplemental Information (pdf).

Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance (pdf) Program (Proposal) Narrative (Described below in this section) consisting of the following subparts: Program Design/Description of Need Budget and Budget Narrative Attachments to your Application Unform Grant Budget Template (pdf) ((Entered in the CSA system - described below)) Grantee Conflict of Interest Disclosure (pdf) Program (Proposal) Narrative Content and Attachments Program Narrative: IMPORTANT: The program (proposal) narrative makes up the bulk of the application.

If the program narrative is missing from your application packet, your application will receive a significantly reduced score and the applicant organization will not meet the criteria to receive a grant under this notice of funding opportunity. Program Narrative Sections: Please provide a complete response to the following sections.

If the applicant believes that the subject has been adequately addressed in another part of the application narrative, then provide the cross-reference to the appropriate part of the narrative. If a cross-reference is not included in the section, the reviewer will consider content contained within that specific section.

Executive Summary (0 points) Executive Summary (0 points): Applicants must fill in the blanks of these sentences to complete the Executive Summary. There are two options for the second paragraph; please choose the appropriate language for your application.

Do not deviate from this template: "The [Name of the organization] will have [Number of] AmeriCorps members in [the locations the AmeriCorps members will serve, e.g. - City, State or State(s)]. AmeriCorps members will [service activities the members will do]. At the end of the first program year, the AmeriCorps members will be responsible for [anticipated outcome of project].

In addition, the AmeriCorps members will leverage [number of leveraged volunteers, if applicable] who will be engaged in [what the leveraged volunteers will be doing]. Required Cost Reimbursement grant applicants: The AmeriCorps investment will be matched with $[amount of projected match], $[amount of local, state, and Federal Funds] in public funding and $[amount of non-governmental funds] in private funding."

OR; Required for Fixed amount grant applicants : e.g., EAP, Full-Cost Fixed, No Cost Slots: In addition to the AmeriCorps investment, $[amount of local, state, and Federal Funds] in public funding and $[amount of non-governmental funds] in private funding will support the project."

Program Design/Description of Need (50 points) Community and Logic Model (20 points): The applicant will provide a detailed summary of the community problem, and an explanation of how the applicant's intervention(s) will lead to the outcomes identified in the Logic Model. The