Louisiana invites nonprofits to apply for AmeriCorps grants for 2027-28, with applications due Feb. 28
Volunteer Louisiana, the state service commission in the office of Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, is taking applications for State Formula grants that place AmeriCorps Volunteers with local organizations. A notice of interest is due Jan. 3, and the commission says it may favor existing programs over new ones.
Baton Rouge. Nonprofits that want AmeriCorps Volunteers serving Louisiana communities from August 2027 have until Feb. 28 to apply for grants the state awards from federal AmeriCorps funds. Volunteer Louisiana, the state service commission in the office of Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, dates its request for proposals to Aug. 28, and Mr. Nungesser announced the competition on Sept. 17.
Nonprofits, colleges and universities, local governments including school districts, and Indian tribes may apply. The grants are for programs that serve only in Louisiana; organizations working in more than one state apply to AmeriCorps directly.
Who the commission wants to fund
The commission says it will favor community-based, grassroots groups, groups serving rural and other communities where national service is underrepresented, and groups that work with philanthropic and other partners to align funding priorities. It encourages groups that have never had AmeriCorps money, such as small community-based and faith-based organizations, to apply.
It expects a highly competitive round and, given limited funding, may prioritize existing partners over new awards. AmeriCorps may also terminate any award that no longer advances the program's goals or the agency's priorities.
Each application must request at least five member service years, a service year being one full-time position of at least 1,700 hours, and the AmeriCorps share may not exceed $27,000 per service year. A first-time grantee with a cost reimbursement grant must supply a 24 percent match, in cash or in kind, for its first three years. A full-time AmeriCorps Volunteer, as the agency now calls its members, receives a living allowance of $20,954 to $41,908.
Grants are planned for three years but awarded one year at a time. The commission will classify every new grantee as high risk for all three, which it says ensures frequent training. AmeriCorps senior officials will review the awards before they are issued and every year after, under Executive Order 14332, Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking.
The deadlines
Every applicant must file a notice of interest to apply by 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 3, and one representative of each new applicant must complete a free one-hour online course, AmeriCorps 101 for Staff, by the same day. Applications go through a new system, America Learns' Grant Gateway, which the commission planned to open on Sept. 28.
After Feb. 28, the commission will ask applicants for clarifications in mid-March, final versions are due April 11, and applicants learn the outcome after its board meets May 12. Awards are expected around Aug. 1, 2027, and no grant period may begin before July 1, 2027.
Current State Formula programs seeking a second or third year apply in this round. National Competitive programs follow a separate request for proposals, due Nov. 1.
About this story
501c3.help wrote this story from the sources listed with it, not from material an organization sent. Our editors approved it on Sept. 29, 2026. Stories in The Nonprofit Herald are free, and nothing is asked in return. Editorial rules.
Found an error? Write to [email protected] and we will correct it.