Each year Volunteer Iowa grants and administers around $8 million of AmeriCorps State funding in Iowa through a competitive grant process. Programs may be awarded funding at the national level (through competitive funding) or state level (through formula funding).
Overview
- Volunteer Iowa posts its Requests for Applications for AmeriCorps State on this webpage.
- The Iowa application materials are based on the AmeriCorps State and National notices of funding opportunity and application instructions, but organizations that wish to operate an AmeriCorps State program solely within Iowa must follow the Volunteer Iowa application process.
Contact Volunteer Iowa at americorps@volunteeriowa.org with questions about the AmeriCorps State application process.
2025-2026 Iowa AmeriCorps State Funding Opportunity
The Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service (Volunteer Iowa) is pleased to announce a Request for Applications for Iowa AmeriCorps State programs to operate in 2025-2026.
2025-2026 Program Year Funding Announcement
Due dates for the application process depend on the type of applicant and funding requested:
| Item | Competitive & Public Health Continuation Key Dates | Formula Key Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Applications due to Volunteer Iowa | Current grantees: September 27, 2024 | Current grantees: September 27, 2024 New and Planning applicants: January 10, 2025 |
| Final Applications & Supporting Documents due to Volunteer Iowa | November 15, 2024 | Current grantees: January 24, 2025 New and Planning applicants: March 7, 2025 |
2025-2026 Volunteer Iowa Request for Applications (RFA)
- Request for Applications (RFA)
- The public link to all of the supporting documentation (RFA appendices and attachments) can be found on the first page of the RFA.
- If you have issues accessing the RFA and supporting documents, please contact AmeriCorps@volunteeriowa.org.
2025-2026 Training & Technical Assistance
Volunteer Iowa will be offering two office hours for competitive applicants to meet with staff to discuss written clarifications. Program staff and fiscal staff are invited to drop in at anytime during the office hours to discuss Volunteer Iowa’s application clarifications. You'll have a chance to move into a breakout room to discuss your budget items and/or a breakout room to discuss narrative/programmatic aspects of the application.
Organizations interested in being updated regarding Volunteer Iowa’s AmeriCorps State grant competition should complete this form. Email updates will come from AmeriCorps@volunteeriowa.org. Email updates may include when the Request for Applications (RFA) is released, deadline reminders, updates to process/materials, special competition RFAs, etc.
National Direct Consultation
Volunteer Iowa participates in the AmeriCorps National Direct Consultation process coordinated by America’s Service Commissions (ASC). Any AmeriCorps National Direct program proposing to operate in Iowa is asked to complete the form found on ASC’s consultation page.