For Immediate Release
July 2, 2026
Volunteer Iowa Announces $8 Million in Funding for AmeriCorps National Service Programs in Iowa
Applications for Service Members Being Accepted Now
DES MOINES, IA – Volunteer Iowa has awarded $8 million in grant funding and an additional $2 million in Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards for Iowa AmeriCorps State programs and members. These grants will support 18 programs engaging 700 AmeriCorps members in Iowa who will serve with nonprofit, community, and faith-based organizations across the state.
Volunteer Iowa is the governor-appointed state commission which administers funds from the federal AmeriCorps agency to support national service and community volunteerism. AmeriCorps national service programs enroll individuals in intensive service positions that address community needs, such as connecting food insecure individuals to local food pantries, developing high-quality afterschool programming for disadvantaged youth, or supporting refugees in finding jobs and housing in their new communities. After completing a full term of service, AmeriCorps members receive an award of approximately $7,400 that they can use for tuition at eligible schools and educational programs or qualified student loan repayment.
Programs across the state are currently recruiting AmeriCorps members to serve in the coming year. Iowa AmeriCorps members may be eligible to receive benefits including a living allowance, health care, childcare, and the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. Visit Join AmeriCorps on our website to search and apply for AmeriCorps positions in Iowa.
Volunteer Iowa announced the following AmeriCorps State grants for program year 2026-2027:
Program Grants:
| Program Name (Program Sponsor) | Program Description |
|---|---|
| AmeriCorps Youth Launch (Graceland University) | AmeriCorps members will mentor youth, build valuable developmental assets, instill civic engagement, and help young people find the "sparks" that ignite their passions in life. |
| Bur Oak Land Trust AmeriCorps Program (Bur Oak Land Trust) | AmeriCorps members will serve to protect and restore Eastern Iowa's natural resources through prescribed fire and planting native plants and remove invasive species. |
| City of Davenport AmeriCorps and Youth Corps Program (City of Davenport) | AmeriCorps members will support the well-being and success of school-aged youth through expanded educational enrichment opportunities. |
| City of Dubuque AmeriCorps Program: Creating Opportunities (City of Dubuque) | AmeriCorps members will develop and implement social-emotional learning interventions to K-12th grade students through in-school and out-of-school-time programs. |
| College Access & Success AmeriCorps (Iowa College Student Aid Commission) | AmeriCorps members will assist high school and current college students as they plan for, prepare for and succeed in college. |
| Conservation Corps Iowa AmeriCorps (Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa) | The program will engage youth and young adults in environmental stewardship. AmeriCorps members will provide conservation and disaster response services across Iowa. |
| Green Iowa AmeriCorps (University of Northern Iowa) | AmeriCorps members will provide environmental education, volunteer engagement, and workforce development for those interested in the conservation field. |
| Habitat for Humanity of Iowa AmeriCorps Program (Habitat for Humanity of Iowa) | AmeriCorps members will learn, serve, and give back to the community by building houses, managing volunteers, and engaging homeowners at local Habitat for Humanities. |
| Iowa AmeriCorps 4-H Outreach (Iowa State University) | AmeriCorps members will deliver structured after-school, out-of-school, and summer 4-H programming to youth across the state. |
| Iowa College Corps AmeriCorps (Seed Coalition) | AmeriCorps members will engage college students in mentoring, serve at nonprofit organizations, and/or be involved in meaningful civic engagement experiences in partnership with colleges and universities across the state. |
| Iowa Community Corps (Iowa Department of Health and Human Services) | AmeriCorps members will respond to public health needs by providing health education, resource navigation, and capacity building services across Iowa. |
| Iowa Legal Aid AmeriCorps Project (Iowa Legal Aid) | AmeriCorps members will provide direct services to clients, helping them access legal information, resources and support needed to resolve fundamental civil legal problems. |
| Iowa Reading Corps AmeriCorps Program (Reading & Math, Inc.) | AmeriCorps members will address ongoing literacy learning loss using evidence-based interventions with students in K-3rd grade. |
| Polk County Conservation AmeriCorps (Polk County Conservation Board) | AmeriCorps members will lead environmental education programs, engage Polk County teens within the Youth Corps program, complete natural resource enhancement, build volunteer programming, and increase reach and effectiveness adaptive veteran programming. |
| Public Health Iowa AmeriCorps Program (University of Iowa) | AmeriCorps members will support public health services across Iowa. Members develop and practice professional skill sets for future careers in the public health field. |
| RedTails LEAD AmeriCorps (Hawkeye Community College) | AmeriCorps members will support Hawkeye Community College students to alleviate food insecurity, construct and remodel homes, provide childcare, or help with academic and other life challenges. |
| RIVA AmeriCorps (Refugee & Immigrant Voices in Action) | AmeriCorps members will provide health-related navigation services and resources across the state of Iowa. |
| Youth Connect AmeriCorps (Iowa State University) | AmeriCorps members will support organizations serving vulnerable and/or foster youth. Member service will expand organizational reach, standardize quality, and strengthen pathways to self-sufficiency. |
Three decades ago, more than 20,000 Americans raised their right hands and pledged to get things done for America. These members helped more than 1,000 communities nationwide during their first year of service. Since then, more than 1.3 million Americans and hundreds of thousands more AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers of all backgrounds have followed in their footsteps, providing billions of hours of results-driven service across each of the 50 states and US territories.
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About Volunteer Iowa
Volunteer Iowa and its partner agencies work with organizations and individuals on three main fronts. The first is to help agencies develop quality programs that use service as a strategy to fulfill their missions and address Iowa’s greatest areas of need. The second is to help engage Iowans in their communities by promoting service and expanding the volunteer base. Finally, the third area of work is to connect individuals with appropriate service opportunities by building the volunteer infrastructure. More information is available at volunteeriowa.org.
About AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the agency places more than 185,000 AmeriCorps Volunteers in intensive service roles; and empowers millions more to serve as long-term, short-term, or one-time volunteers. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.
AmeriCorps offers opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds to be a part of the national service community, grow personally and professionally, and receive benefits for their service. Learn how to get involved at AmeriCorps.gov/Serve.