Serve Alaska seeks AmeriCorps planning grant applications by Dec. 1

Serve Alaska, the state service commission within the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development, is accepting applications through 5 pm Dec. 1 for AmeriCorps planning grants. The commission posted the statewide notice Monday.

A planning grant pays for a 12-month design period. During that time, an organization prepares to seek AmeriCorps program funding for 2027-28. Recipients work directly with Serve Alaska staff for training and support.

Awards typically range from $50,000 to $60,000. The grants are cost-reimbursable: they pay back staff time, consultant time and travel.

First-time recipients must provide a match of 24 percent of total program costs for their first three-year funding period. Applicants can ask for a full or partial waiver of that match with their application. Organizations with under $500,000 in revenue, among others, can request one. Recipients also need a valid System for Award Management registration and a Unique Entity Identifier to receive an award.

Serve Alaska has offered planning grants before. Its last round, in 2024, had an application deadline of March 15 that year. The commission reported helping one new organization through the planning-grant process in 2024.

The commission is scheduled to decide funding at its Dec. 8 meeting, which will be held online. Applicants are to be notified Dec. 10. Appeals of funding decisions are due by 5 pm Dec. 17. Projects are recommended to start Jan. 1, 2027, or later.