We Serve to Remember 9/11 Day of Service Grants

The We Serve to Remember 9/11 Day of Service Grants are administered by Youth Service America, an organization that promotes youth engagement and service-learning initiatives across the United States. This program is supported through federal funding from AmeriCorps, reflecting a broader national effort to encourage civic participation and community service. The initiative commemorates the September 11, 2001 attacks by transforming the anniversary into a day of positive action, remembrance, and unity. By mobilizing young people and community organizations, the program seeks to honor those who lost their lives, as well as the individuals who responded in service during and after the tragedy. The primary purpose of the grant program is to support youth-led service projects that take place on or around September 11. These projects must incorporate elements of remembrance and tribute, ensuring that participants engage meaningfully with the historical and emotional significance of the day. The program encourages inclusive participation, particularly aiming to involve youth who may not typically have access to service opportunities. Through these efforts, the grants aim to foster civic responsibility, empathy, and community cohesion while reinforcing the national commitment to “Never Forget.” Funding for this opportunity consists of up to 100 grants, each valued at 1,000 dollars. These funds are intended to support the planning and implementation of service projects, including materials, coordination efforts, and volunteer engagement activities. Grantees are required to involve at least 100 youth volunteers, ensuring that the projects have a broad and measurable impact. While the funding is relatively modest, the emphasis is placed on scalability through volunteer participation rather than large financial investments. Eligibility for the program is broad but clearly defined. Applicants must be based in the United States or its territories, including American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Washington, D.C. Eligible applicants include organizations, schools, and youth changemakers between the ages of 5 and 25 who are capable of leading service initiatives. Projects must benefit communities within the United States and adhere to federal funding restrictions, which prohibit activities such as lobbying, partisan political engagement, voter registration efforts, and certain restricted programmatic themes. The application process is straightforward and does not indicate a formal pre-application requirement such as a letter of intent. Applicants are expected to submit proposals detailing their planned service projects, including how they will engage youth volunteers and incorporate elements of remembrance. Additionally, grantees must commit to documenting volunteer participation through approved methods such as sign-in sheets, surveys, or institutional records, each containing unique identifiers for participants. This documentation is necessary for compliance with federal grant reporting standards. The timeline for the 2026 grant cycle indicates that applications will open on May 1, with submissions accepted until mid-June at 11:59 PM local time, though the exact closing date is not specified. Projects must be conducted on or around September 11, 2026, aligning with the National Day of Service and Remembrance. Given the recurring nature of this program, it is expected to be offered annually, providing consistent opportunities for organizations and youth leaders to participate in future cycles. While specific evaluation criteria are not explicitly outlined, the program emphasizes youth leadership, inclusivity, community engagement, and meaningful commemoration. Projects that effectively bring together diverse community members and demonstrate thoughtful planning are likely to be more competitive. Applicants with questions are directed to review frequently asked questions or contact the program administrator, Scott Ganske, for further guidance.

Ensure projects are youth led include meaningful 9/11 remembrance elements and actively recruit underserved youth volunteers