Open Call: MLK Day of Service Lead Agency Grants (US)

Youth Service America (YSA) runs MLK Day of Service, encouraging communities to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. through volunteering and youth-led service. For MLK Day on Monday, January 18, 2027, YSA offers two grant opportunities supported by an AmeriCorps MLK Day of Service Grant, with application deadlines of October 25 (11:59pm local time). Opportunity at a Glance

- Provider: Youth Service America (YSA)

- Opportunity name: MLK Day of Service (January 18, 2027)

- Supported by: AmeriCorps MLK Day of Service Grant (for both grant streams described below)

- Key grant deadlines: October 25 — 11:59pm your local time

- Primary program dates (project window): Projects may take place between Monday, January 11 and Monday, January 25, 2027; should be scheduled as close to Monday, January 18 as possible

- MLK Day celebration timing: MLK Day is observed each year on the third Monday in January

Grant Stream 1: MLK Day of Service Lead Agency Grants

- Grant amount: $1,000 – $10,000 per grant

- Total funding available: $100,000 (total across all awards)

- Expected average award: ~$5,000 (implying ~20 organizations may receive grants)

- Match requirement: Match funding equal to the grant amount (cash or in-kind)

- Eligible applicants (organizations): K-12 schools/school districts, volunteer centers, state service commissions, state afterschool networks, statewide/regional youth development organizations, museums and cultural institutions - Preference in selection: Organizations affiliated with the National Youth Leadership Council, Legacy+ Realize the Dream campaign, Made By Us, InnerView, America’s Service Commissions, or Points of Light

- Required training: Virtual, full-day Youth Service Institute training (tentatively Wednesday, November 18)

Grant Stream 2: Youth At Every Decision-Making Table Grants

- Grant amount: $2,000 per grant

- Total funding available: $50,000 (with 25 organizations expected to receive grants)

- Match requirement: $1,000 match funding (cash or in-kind)

- Eligible applicants (organizations): K-12 schools, higher education institutions, out-of-school time/afterschool programs, positive youth development organizations, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, state governments, local governments

- Required focus: Development/expansion of youth leadership structures (Youth Councils or similar)

- Required training: Virtual, full-day Youth Service Institute training (tentatively Wednesday, November 18)

About the Opportunity

MLK Day of Service is designed to help communities honor Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy through service and volunteerism, supporting the goal of building a “Beloved Community.” YSA’s work supports projects that engage volunteers and encourage service as a unifying force. The grant opportunities under this campaign support MLK Day–related service projects and, for one stream, youth leadership structures and youth decision-making connected to service. Funding and Benefits MLK Day of Service Lead Agency Grants

- Award size: Grants of $1,000 – $10,000

- Budget pool: $100,000 total funding available

- Expected number of awards: ~20 organizations (based on an expected average of ~$5,000)

- Match requirement: Grantees must provide and document match funding equal to the amount of their grant (cash or in-kind)

- Youth engagement expectation: Grantees must engage a minimum of 100 youth volunteers for each $1,000 of funding in youth-designed and youth-led service projects that meet an immediate local need Youth At Every Decision-Making Table Grants

- Award size: $2,000 per grantee

- Budget pool: $50,000 total funding available

- Expected number of awards: 25 citywide, regional, or statewide organizations

- Match requirement: Grantees must provide and document $1,000 match funding (cash or in-kind)

- Youth engagement expectation (summit): The program must engage a minimum of 200 youth and adults

Who Is Eligible? Eligible Organizations (Lead Agency Grants) The following organization types are eligible: - K-12 schools and school districts - Volunteer centers - State service commissions - State afterschool networks - Statewide/regional youth development organizations - Museums and cultural institutions Preference in selection may be given to organizations affiliated with: - National Youth Leadership Council - Legacy+ Realize the Dream campaign - Made By Us - InnerView - America’s Service Commissions - Points of Light Eligible Organizations (Youth At Every Decision-Making Table Grants) The following organization types are eligible: - K-12 schools - Higher education institutions - Out-of-school time / afterschool programs - Positive youth development organizations - Community-based organizations - Faith-based organizations - State governments - Local governments Geographic eligibility - Not specified in the source whether a specific country or territory is required. The source describes eligible organizations in terms of local/statewide or citywide/regional scope but does not explicitly list countries. Mandatory requirements common to both streams - Attend a virtual, full-day Youth Service Institute training (tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, November 18)

- Submit by the stated deadline: 11:59pm your local time on October 25

Eligible Activities or Priority Areas Lead Agency Grant Activities

Grantees use funds to:

- Promote MLK Day of Service locally to engage multiple sites and organize a single large or multiple smaller MLK Day service project(s)/event(s) - Conduct projects between Monday, January 11 and Monday, January 25, 2027, and schedule them as close as possible to Monday, January 18 - Ensure youth-designed and youth-led projects addressing an immediate community need

- Meet the youth engagement benchmark: 100 youth volunteers per $1,000 of funding

Youth At Every Decision-Making Table Grant Activities

Grantees are expected to:

- Support the development of new Youth Councils (or similar youth leadership structures) or expand existing ones - Organiz