Illinois Department of Human Services

AmeriCorps State and National (ASN) Program improve 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. The AmeriCorps grant engages AmeriCorps members in evidence-based or evidence-informed interventions to strengthen communities. An AmeriCorps member is an individual 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 for qualified student loans.

45 CFR Part 2522

20 ILCS 505

77 Ill. Adm. Code 2250

1. Unite Americans by bringing them together in service. 2. Partner with communities and organizations to address unmet critical community needs. 3. Develop a lifelong ethic of service among the AmeriCorps members who serve.

Yes

1. 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. 2. The Provider will comply with applicable Terms and Conditions for AmeriCorps State and National Grants (pdf) and General Grant and Cooperative Agreement Terms and Conditions and Executive Orders (pdf). 3. 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. 4. 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. 5. The Provider will adhere to all requirements outlined in the IDHS – Serve Illinois Program Director’s Manual. 6. Conduct National Service Criminal History Check (NSCHC) requirements as outlined in the NSCHC Manual (pdf) and regulations at 45 CFR § 2540, subpart B. 7. Recruit and retain the allocated number and type of slots (e.g., full-time, half-time) of AmeriCorps members. 8. 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. 9. Adhere to the performance measures and evaluation in the approved program plan as required by IDHS – Serve Illinois and AmeriCorps State and National. 10. Supervise and train members throughout their service term as outlined in the approved program plan. 11. Provide all members with AmeriCorps uniforms, service gear, personal protective equipment and all other service materials required to accomplish the member’s service hours. 12. Participate in Illinois IDHS – Serve Illinois and AmeriCorps State and National scheduled meetings and trainings (including individual monthly program meetings, quarterly meetings, and AmeriCorps virtual trainings). 13. Certify member enrollment in My AmeriCorps Portal for all members within eight calendar days of the AmeriCorps members’ starting a term of service. 14. 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. 15. Host a National Service Opening Day event/activity at the program site no later than six weeks from the start date of the program. 16. 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.

Nonprofit Organizations; Education Organizations; Government Organizations; Other;

A. The following non-federal organizations are eligible to apply and are subject to the limitations described below. 1. Indian Tribes 2. Institutions of higher education 3. Local governments, including school districts; 4. Nonprofit organizations; and 5. States and US Territories a. 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). B. The applicant must meet the Registration, Pre-qualification and any other Mandatory Requirements listed in this funding opportunity. 1. Applicants must provide the following information via the Grantee Portal annually to be registered with the State of Illinois as an awardee: a. Organization name and contact information b. Federal Employee Identification Number (FEIN) c. Unique Identity Number (UEI) d. Organization type 2. 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. a. 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: i. Be registered in SAM.gov before the application due date. ii. Provide a valid unique entity identifier (UEI) in its application. iii. 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. iv. The State Agency may not make an award until the applicant has fully complied to all UEI and SAM requirements. v. The State Agency may determine that an applicant is not qualified if they have not complied with requirements and use that determination as a basis to award another applicant or applicants. b. 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. c. Must not be on the Illinois Stop Payment List d. Must not be on the SAM.gov Exclusion List e. Must not be on the Medicaid Sanctions List 3. Additional Mandatory Requirements a. Threshold Requirements: Specific types of applicants/applications must meet the following requirements: i. 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. ii. If service activities require special member qualifications and/or training, such as tutoring programs, the applicant must describe how these requirements will be met. iii. 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: 1. An applicant being assessed as in the pre-preliminary evidence tier AND 2. Providing inadequate responses to the Evidence Quality review standards below.

1. 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.

Formula Grants

Human Services

N/A

GATA Registration and Prequalification Eligible applicant entities must be registered and prequalified through the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) Grantee Portal. Additionally, any sub- recipient must also be registered and prequalified through GATA upon application.

A. Actions needed prior to applying: 1. Applicants must be registered with the State of Illinois and Pre-qualified in the GATA portal prior to applying for Illinois awards. Illinois GATA Grantee Portal. Additionally, detailed instructions for registration and prequalification requirements, including the expected amount of time for completion are located here: Grant Applicant Pre-Qualification and Pre-Award Requirements B. The methods for submitting the application 1. Applicants must electronically submit a complete application package (See Section 4, subsection viii.), including all required documents to DHS.ServeIllinois.NOFO@illinois.gov no later than 4:00PM CST on Wednesday, June 10, 2026: a. Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance b. Grantee Conflict of Interest Disclosure c. Uniform Grant Budget Template 2. The complete application package along with required documents will be electronically time-stamped upon receipt. The Department will ONLY accept the additional documents submitted by email to DHS.ServeIllinois.NOFO@illinois.gov. Include the following in the subject line: [Applicant organization name] 444-80-2809-01. Please make sure you have the correct email address when sending your documents. Document submissions or delivery to any other email address or contact, including other IDHS offices or employees, will not be considered for review or funding. The application package and required documents will not be accepted if received by fax machine, hard copy, disk, or thumb drive. 3. Documents must include the following password: N/A. 4. Applicants are required to notify the Department within 48 hours of the deadline, if they did not receive an email notifying them that their application was received. If the applicant does not receive an email and does not notify the Department within 48 hours, their application will be considered a late submission and will NOT be reviewed or scored. The applicant will NOT have the right to protest the submission/receipt of their application to the Department after the 48 hours. In the event of a dispute the applicant bears the burden of proof that the application was received on time at the email location listed above (and that the budget was submitted into the CSA system on time). C. Pre-application materials must be submitted as follows: N/A. D. If circumstances make it impossible for an applicant to submit electronically, applicants may send a paper copy of the application packet and required documents via overnight carrier to this address below. IDHS – Serve Illinois Attn: Cory Blissett, Bureau Chief Office of Community and Positive Youth Development 823 E. Monroe St. Springfield, IL 62701 E. Please use a non-U.S. Postal Service carrier to avoid security-related delays. Applicants must include an explanation and related documents about why they could not submit their application electronically. Applications must be received by the deadline. F. If you are experiencing any other technical difficulties, you may contact: Name: Cory Blissett Phone: 217-652-4645 Email:Cory.Blissett@illinois.gov

Program Staff will conduct an initial eligibility review to determine if an application meets the eligibility requirements published in this Notice and will advance to the next stage of the process. All formula grant applications are subject to merit-based review. IDHS-Serve Illinois will make the final award determination.

A. Applicants recommended for funding under this NOFO following the review and selection process will receive a Notice of State Award (NOSA). The NOSA shall include: 1. Grant award amount, 2. The terms and conditions of the award, 3. Specific conditions, if any, assigned to the applicant based on the fiscal and administrative risk assessment (ICQ), programmatic risk assessments (PRA), and the Merit-Based Review (MBR). B. The applicant shall receive the NOSA through the Grantee Portal. The NOSA must be signed by the grants officer (or equivalent). This signature effectively accepts the state award amount and all conditions set forth within the notice. The signed NOSA is the document authorizing the department to proceed with issuing an agreement. The Agency signed NOSA must be remitted to the Department as instructed in the notice. C. The notice is not an authorization to begin performance (to the extent that it allows charging to State awards of pre-award costs; pre-award costs are incurred at the non-State entities own risk unless they have received written prior approval to begin performance). D. The authorizing document to begin performance is the fully executed Uniform Grant Agreement (UGA) signed by the grants officer, or equivalent. This is the official document that obligates funds. The UGA is sent to the non-State entity via the CSA system. The non-State entity will print and sign the signature page of the UGA and return signature page to DHS.OCA.SignaturePages@illinois.gov. A final signed copy of the UGA will be provided to the non-State entity via an upload into the CSA Tracking system. Note: The Department cannot issue an Agreement until the successful applicant has an approved budget entered into the CSA system. E. Applicants who are not eligible due to registration or pre-qualification issues, or late applications will receive a Notice of Ineligibility prior to the Merit-Based Review. F. Applicants who are not selected to receive an award following the Merit- Based Review process will receive a Notice of Denial/Non-Selection.

Specific deadlines are outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

Anticipated Announcement and State Award Dates: Announcement anticipated: 8/15/2026 Anticipated grant start date: 9/1/2026

Appeals submission IDHS-Serve Illinois contact information: Name of Agency contact for appeals: Kristen Bethke Email of Agency contact for appeals: DHS.ServeIllinois.NOFO@illinois.gov

If applicable continuation applicants must submit an application in order to be eligible to receive funding. Continuation applicants must follow the requirements for continuation application content as outlined in the Application Instructions. If an applicant is unsure if their organization is considered a continuation applicant, please email DHS.ServeIllinois.NOFO@illinois.gov for clarification.

Cost Sharing: A. Providers are required to provide in-kind and/or financial match. 1. 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. 2. 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.? 3. Match Waiver a. 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 encourage Tribal Nations to request match waivers to reduce barriers. Every effort will be made to reduce the match requirements to improve accessibility to funding. AmeriCorps Funding Year 1,2,3 (24%), 4,5,6 (26%), 7,8,9 (28%), 10+ (30%)

All applicants will use grant funds according to the guidelines, conditions, and parameters set forth in this funding notice and in compliance with federal statutes, regulations and the terms and conditions of any applicable federal awards. 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. Allowable costs: a. Allowable costs are those that are necessary and reasonable based on the activities contained in the Scope of Work, are justified in the Budget Narrative, and are allowable under Subpart E of 2 CFR 200. It is expected that administrative costs, both direct and indirect, will represent a small portion of the overall program budget. Any budget deemed to include inappropriate or excessive administrative costs will not be approved. b. Program budgets and narratives must detail how all proposed expenditures are necessary for program implementation. Unallowable costs: a. 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: b. 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) c. Capital expenditures for general purpose equipment, including any vehicle regardless of cost, buildings, and land (2 CFR 200.439) d. Capital expenditures for improvements to land, buildings, or equipment which materially increase their value or useful life (2 CFR 200.439) e. 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). f. Deposits for items, services, or space g Limitation of Use i. 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.

A. Reporting upon execution of the grant agreement shall be in accordance with the requirements set forth in the UGA and related exhibits which include but is not limited to the following: 1. Periodic Financial Reports submitted electronically in accordance with instructions in the UGA no more frequent than quarterly and no less frequent than annually, unless unusual circumstances exist. 2. Periodic Programmatic Reports submitted electronically in accordance with instructions in the UGA no more frequent than quarterly and no less frequent than annually, unless unusual circumstances exist. 3. Close-out Performance Reports and Financial Reports as instructed in the UGA. 4. Other Unique Programmatic Reporting Requirements: additional annual performance data may be collected as directed by the Department and in the format prescribed by the Department. 5. Non-compliance with any of the above reporting requirements, including timeliness of reports may lead to being placed on the Illinois Stop Payment List.

Subject to monitoring visits, desk reviews, AmeriCorps audits, and Fiscal Administrative Review (FAR) audits.

The program is required to maintain until December 31, 2031, adequate books, all financial records and supporting documents, statistical records, and all other records pertinent to this Award. If any litigation, claim, or audit is started before the expiration of the retention period, the records must be retained until all litigation, claims or audit exceptions involving the records have been resolved and final action taken. The Provider agrees to provide or make available all records related to this grant upon request.

N/A

N/A

Varies

Numerous

Any Regulations, Guidelines, or Literature necessary for program implementation will be provided by the DHS Program Office responsible for managing this program grant at no cost to the provider.

DHS.ServeIllinois.NOFO@illinois.gov

AmeriCorps State and National

https://serve.illinois.gov/

Formula Fixed, Competitive Traditional

See https://serve.illinois.gov/

5/8/2026

Budget / Budget Template; Other;

FY 2023 : $4,821,628
FY 2024 : $6,290,723
FY 2025 : $10,409,417
FY 2027 : $6,200,000