AmeriCorps Missouri Planning Grant

The AmeriCorps Missouri Planning Grant is administered by the Missouri Community Service Commission, operating as ServMO, in partnership with the federal agency AmeriCorps, formally known as the Corporation for National and Community Service. AmeriCorps serves as the national grantmaking body for programs that engage individuals in service to address critical community challenges. ServMO functions as the state-level entity responsible for distributing AmeriCorps resources across Missouri, investing significant funding annually to strengthen communities through volunteerism and national service initiatives. This planning grant opportunity is specifically designed to support organizations within Missouri in developing new or enhanced AmeriCorps programs. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to provide a structured six month planning period during which selected organizations can design and prepare a competitive AmeriCorps program for future operational funding. The planning period runs from January 4, 2027 through June 30, 2027, and is intended to help applicants build the infrastructure, partnerships, and program models necessary to compete in the subsequent AmeriCorps program grant cycle. Activities supported during this phase include developing recruitment strategies, identifying service activities aligned with community needs, establishing data collection systems, researching evidence based models, and building organizational readiness for program implementation. Funding under this opportunity is awarded as a cost reimbursement grant, meaning recipients must incur expenses first and then request reimbursement through documented monthly reports and invoices. Awards for planning grants may not exceed 75000 dollars, with final award amounts determined based on project scope. Recipients are required to provide a 24 percent match, which may consist of cash or in kind contributions, and must demonstrate the ability to meet this requirement at the time of application. Importantly, funds cannot be used to support AmeriCorps members directly or to pay for the preparation of AmeriCorps operational grant applications. Eligibility for this funding is broad but restricted to entities operating within Missouri. Eligible applicants include public or private nonprofit organizations, faith based organizations, federally recognized tribes, institutions of higher education, school districts, and state or local government entities such as cities and counties. Applicants must also maintain an active registration in the System for Award Management and comply with federal requirements. Organizations with certain legal or lobbying restrictions are ineligible, and all applicants must adhere to AmeriCorps regulations and program guidelines. The application process requires submission of materials via email to ServMO by September 25, 2026 at 5 PM CST, following a Notice of Intent deadline on August 14, 2026. Required components include narrative sections covering program design, organizational capacity, and budget narrative, along with supporting documents such as a budget worksheet, W 9 form, and financial statements or audit documentation. Applications are reviewed through a structured scoring system that evaluates program design, alignment with funding priorities, organizational capacity, and fiscal oversight. Applications undergo a multi stage review process beginning with compliance and eligibility screening, followed by evaluation from a committee consisting of staff and appointed commissioners. Selection is based on the quality of the application and demonstrated community need. Award notifications are expected by November 6, 2026, contingent on funding availability. Successful applicants must wait until the official grant agreement is executed before beginning any funded activities. This funding opportunity follows a defined annual cycle, beginning with the NOFO release in July and culminating in a six month planning period in the first half of the following year. While participation in the planning grant does not guarantee future operational funding, it is designed to significantly strengthen applicants readiness for subsequent AmeriCorps grant competitions. Organizations are encouraged to align their proposals with ServMO priority areas, including service in underserved communities, workforce development, and evidence based interventions addressing environmental and veteran related challenges.

Align proposal with ServMO priority areas demonstrate strong community need provide detailed planning process and show organizational and fiscal capacity