AmeriCorps Planning Grant (Illinois)

AmeriCorps Planning Grant (Illinois)

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Illinois Department of Human Services: Division of Family & Community Services
Amount: Up to US $125,000
Last Updated: March 17, 2026

Summary

The AmeriCorps Planning Grant in Illinois provides vital funding for organizations new to AmeriCorps, facilitating the development of programs that address community challenges. Grant recipients can receive up to $125,000 for a 12-month planning period, aiming to implement evidence-based interventions. This opportunity encourages collaboration and civic engagement, allowing organizations to prepare for future AmeriCorps program grants. Registration and prequalification are mandatory, ensuring that only eligible applicants are considered for this important funding initiative.

Overview

NOTE: This funding opportunity is open to new applicants new to AmeriCorps funding.Registration and prequalification are required annually. Applicants must be prequalified; therefore, applications from entities that have not been prequalified prior to the due date of this application, will NOT be reviewed and will NOT be considered for funding. About The Illinois Department of Human Services was created in 1997 to provide our state's residents with streamlined access to integrated services, especially those who are striving for economic independence, and others who face multiple challenges to self-sufficiency. AmeriCorps Planning Grant Program Description This funding opportunity is open to applicants new to AmeriCorps funding. Any applicants selected for funding will be notified by IDHS/Serve Illinois and a contract will be sent requiring a signature from the program designee. Program Summary AmeriCorps State and National (ASN) Program improves lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through service and volunteering. AmeriCorps brings people together to tackle some of the country's most pressing challenges through national service and volunteerism. The primary objective for AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers is to serve with organizations dedicated to the improvement of communities and those serving. AmeriCorps helps make service a cornerstone of our national culture. Serve Illinois planning grants provide support to a grant recipient to develop an AmeriCorps program that will engage AmeriCorps members in implementing evidence-based interventions to solve community problems. Grant recipients are awarded up to $125,000 for a 12-month planning period and are encouraged to compete for an AmeriCorps program grant in the following grant cycle if they deem the fit with AmeriCorps to be of use to their community. A planning grant may not be used to support AmeriCorps members. Please note that being awarded a planning grant for one year does not guarantee the applicant will be awarded a full cost reimbursement grant in the future nor does it guarantee the applicant will be awarded an additional planning grant in the future. Organizations that propose to operate only in Illinois must apply through Serve Illinois. Organizations that propose to operate AmeriCorps programs in more than one State or Territory must access the federal planning grant guidance on the AmeriCorps website.

Eligibility

We've imported the main document for this grant to give you an overview. You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website.