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 will be 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.
2026-2027 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 2026-2027.
2026-2027 Program Year Funding Announcement
Due dates for the application process depend on the type of applicant and funding requested:
| Item | Competitive Key Dates | Formula Key Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Applications due to Volunteer Iowa | November 12, 2025 | Current grantees: November 12, 2025 New applicants: January 30, 2026 |
| Final Applications & Supporting Documents due to Volunteer Iowa | December 8, 2025 | March 9, 2026 |
2026-2027 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.
Special Notification - Funding Contingency
This Request for Applications is released in anticipation of a formal Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) from the federal AmeriCorps agency, which is usually released in September. All AmeriCorps State applicants should be aware that this RFA and RFA materials are subject to change. Changes may include but are not limited to: 1. Maximum cost per MSY; 2. Maximum/minimum living allowance amounts; 3. Application content, format, and scoring criteria; 4. Timelines; 5. Overall funding availability.
Volunteer Iowa will announce changes to applicants and make adjustments to the RFA and/or RFA materials, as needed, to align with the NOFO. All applicants should be prepared to continue working on their applications and remain responsive to Volunteer Iowa communications.
2026-2027 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.
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.