Apply for Assistance
Organizations identify their community need, then design and implement an AmeriCorps program that will leverage people power as a solution. They recruit, train, and manage individuals, called AmeriCorps Volunteers, to deliver those services. Successful proposals describe how AmeriCorps service positions are an appropriate strategy to meet a community need AND identify supports for AmeriCorps Volunteers to develop their career or continue their education.
AmeriCorps State and National
Rhode Island Grants
ServeRI’s next grant competition should be announced between August 15 and September 15.
For assistance developing new AmeriCorps State and National programs in Rhode Island, please contact ServeRI at serveri@ride.ri.gov.
About ServeRI AmeriCorps Grant Funding
As the state service commission, ServeRI partners with organizations to address their community needs by recruiting and supporting a corps of AmeriCorps Volunteers. AmeriCorps Volunteers may receive a living allowance and other benefits while serving, including the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award that they can use to pay for higher education expenses or apply to qualifying student loans.
Partners are selected through a competitive Request for Proposals. ServeRI commits to multi-year partnerships, providing federal funding and ongoing training and support to a collaborative “AmeriCorps RI Network.” ServeRI partners are expected to:
Value service to others as a civic responsibility
Design or replicate a successful intervention to address a community need that is evidence-informed
Develop and execute a successful recruitment and selection process
Supervise and train AmeriCorps Volunteers throughout their service term
Provide AmeriCorps Volunteers with a (service-based) work-based learning experience offering a pathway to employment or post-secondary education
Build a sense of belonging or esprit de corps within a team of AmeriCorps Volunteers
Measure and report program outputs and outcomes
Contribute additional, or match, funding to support the project
AmeriCorps National Programs
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AmeriCorps grants are awarded to eligible organizations that engage AmeriCorps Volunteers in evidence-based or evidence-informed interventions to strengthen communities. Organizations seeking to operate outside of Rhode Island or in multiple-states can apply to the annual AmeriCorps State and National Competition. Navigate to the AmeriCorps.gov Funding Opportunities page to access current or prior application materials.
Grant applicants for competitive AmeriCorps funding must consult with ServeRI, and each state or territorial service commission in the locations in which they are applying to place AmeriCorps Volunteers. In order to streamline the consultation process, Rhode Island collaborates with other states in using the online form provided by America’s Service Commissions.
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AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) is a national, full-time service program designed specifically to eradicate poverty. Volunteers commit to one year of service with non-profits, public agencies, or tribal governments to build organizational capacity, secure funding, and develop sustainable anti-poverty programs. To become a VISTA sponsor, or host, grant applicants first submit a Concept Paper. Learn about the process from the Funding Opportunities site on AmeriCorps.gov and contact ServeRI for additional support developing your project.
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The AmeriCorps agency invites local partners to host an AmeriCorps NCCC team of 18- to 24- year-olds for approximately 6 weeks (40 hours per week) to meet community-identified needs. The 2026-2027 Request for Proposals (RFP) includes an overview of the AmeriCorps NCCC program and the application deadlines for projects through April 2027. AmeriCorps covers all costs, except the local partner provides housing for the Volunteers with a kitchen and showers.
Project focus areas include:
Natural and other disasters
Infrastructure improvement
Environmental stewardship
Energy conservation
Urban and rural development
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AmeriCorps Seniors is a network of volunteer programs for Americans aged 55 and older. It pairs older adults with local organizations to address community needs—such as tutoring children, supporting vulnerable seniors, and food distribution. Through active community engagement, AmeriCorps Seniors Volunteers gain social and health benefits in addition to modest stipends from some programs. AmeriCorps typically makes multi-year commitments to partners who manage the programs by county or other geographic zones. Interested grant applicants are encouraged to learn more about the current programs in Rhode Island and the variations of these programs.
RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program): This is a flexible program. Volunteers choose how, where, and when they want to serve, with commitments ranging from a few hours to 40 hours a week. Example activities include tutoring, disaster response, food distribution, and tax assistance.
Senior Companion Program: Volunteers offer emotional and physical support to other adults who have difficulty with daily living tasks. This helps peers live independently at home and provides vital respite for family caregivers.
Foster Grandparent Program: Volunteers act as mentors, tutors, and caretakers to children and youth who are differently abled or have exceptional needs. They help kids succeed in schools, hospitals, and child-care settings.
System for Award Management
All applicants must register with the System for Award Management (SAM) at https://www.sam.gov/SAM/ and maintain an active SAM registration until the application process is complete. If an applicant is awarded a grant, it must maintain an active SAM registration throughout the life of the award. See the SAM Quick Guide for Grantees or SAM.Gov Registration AmeriCorps Tutorial.
Start now. ServeRI recommends potential applicants do not delay in finalizing a new registration or renewing an existing SAM registration.