ServeOhio is pleased to announce the availability of grants to support community service projects organized for ServeOhio Day on June 21, 2026. ServeOhio Day coincides with the summer solstice - the day with the longest period of daylight in the year - providing the most ample opportunity to volunteer annually. Projects or a series of projects for this day of service can occur June 1 through June 30, 2026.
Purpose
The primary intent is to support projects that create or improve community assets or infrastructure, such as parks, schools, senior centers, community gardens or low-income homes through volunteer engagement. Project grants may also be used to support educational events intended to encourage volunteerism or link populations in need with service providers. Projects should be collaborative in nature, involve a broad spectrum of community participants, and benefit the larger community.
All projects must include an educational component to help volunteers learn more about the issue they’re impacting and the community/population they’re serving. Examples might include a brief training, inviting community members and leaders to participate and speak to the group, or a facilitated discussion of the issues affecting the community.
Looking for some inspiration? Check out our grantees from ServeOhio Day 2025.
Funding
Grant awards will be in the range of $250 to $1,000. Depending on amounts requested, an estimated twenty five to thirty grants will be awarded. There is no matching requirement for these grants. Consistent with the approved project budget, funds may be used for:
- Supplies/materials
- Volunteer Support
Funds requested should be commensurate with the number of volunteers engaged; the higher the grant request, the higher number of volunteers that should be engaged in the project.
The primary purpose of the grant is to support the project(s), therefore no more than 20% of the total funding request should be allocated to volunteer support costs. For example, if requesting $1,000, no more than $200 should be budgeted for volunteer support.
Funds may not be used for staffing, travel costs, gift cards, awards, or grantee administration/overhead costs. Supplies/materials may include small equipment (useful life of two years or more) up to $100 unit cost. All awards will be paid by reimbursement upon submission of the project report and documentation of expenditures.
Application Process
Non-profit and public organizations in Ohio including, but not limited to, volunteer centers, school districts, community colleges, universities, and local governments are eligible to apply. The application form must be completed, signed, and submitted by April 17, 2026 at 11:59 PM.
Because the source of funds may be federal, AmeriCorps members may not apply for these funds directly. However, AmeriCorps members are encouraged to be involved in planning, leading, and serving on the day of service.
All applicants will self-select the region for which they are applying. This should reflect the location where the project will take place. See a breakdown of regions by county.
ServeOhio staff and board members will review applications. Reviewers will evaluate proposals based on:
- Volunteer involvement
- Community need/project design
- Use of broad-based community participation and collaboration
- Number of volunteers engaged is commensurate with the funding request
- Budgetary compliance
Other factors that may be considered include geographic diversity of projects and whether an applicant has received funding for another project in the past year. Funding preference will be given to applicants that do not presently receive other grant funding from ServeOhio. All applicants will be notified of funding decisions by May 1, 2026 via the person listed on the application as the project manager.
Please note: The application process will take place on ServeOhio’s grants management system. The reporting process for selected grantees will also take place on the grants management system.
A training/technical assistance webinar will be held on April 3, 2026 at 10:00 AM EST via Zoom. Register for the webinar here. Topics covered will include the following: eligibility, application process and requirements, application timeline, funding usage, Q&A, and more.
ServeOhio Day 2026
ServeOhio is pleased to announce the availability of grants to support community service projects organized for ServeOhio Day on June 21, 2026. ServeOhio Day coincides with the summer solstice - the day with the longest period of daylight in the year - providing the most ample opportunity to volunteer annually. Projects or a series of projects for this day of service can occur June 1 through June 30, 2026.
Purpose
The primary intent is to support projects that create or improve community assets or infrastructure, such as parks, schools, senior centers, community gardens or low-income homes through volunteer engagement. Project grants may also be used to support educational events intended to encourage volunteerism or link populations in need with service providers. Projects should be collaborative in nature, involve a broad spectrum of community participants, and benefit the larger community.
All projects must include an educational component to help volunteers learn more about the issue they’re impacting and the community/population they’re serving. Examples might include a brief training, inviting community members and leaders to participate and speak to the group, or a facilitated discussion of the issues affecting the community.
Looking for some inspiration? Check out our grantees from ServeOhio Day 2025.
Funding
Grant awards will be in the range of $250 to $1,000. Depending on amounts requested, an estimated twenty five to thirty grants will be awarded. There is no matching requirement for these grants. Consistent with the approved project budget, funds may be used for:
- Supplies/materials
- Volunteer Support
Funds requested should be commensurate with the number of volunteers engaged; the higher the grant request, the higher number of volunteers that should be engaged in the project.
The primary purpose of the grant is to support the project(s), therefore no more than 20% of the total funding request should be allocated to volunteer support costs. For example, if requesting $1,000, no more than $200 should be budgeted for volunteer support.
Funds may not be used for staffing, travel costs, gift cards, awards, or grantee administration/overhead costs. Supplies/materials may include small equipment (useful life of two years or more) up to $100 unit cost. All awards will be paid by reimbursement upon submission of the project report and documentation of expenditures.
Application Process
Non-profit and public organizations in Ohio including, but not limited to, volunteer centers, school districts, community colleges, universities, and local governments are eligible to apply. The application form must be completed, signed, and submitted by April 17, 2026 at 11:59 PM.
Because the source of funds may be federal, AmeriCorps members may not apply for these funds directly. However, AmeriCorps members are encouraged to be involved in planning, leading, and serving on the day of service.
All applicants will self-select the region for which they are applying. This should reflect the location where the project will take place. See a breakdown of regions by county.
ServeOhio staff and board members will review applications. Reviewers will evaluate proposals based on:
- Volunteer involvement
- Community need/project design
- Use of broad-based community participation and collaboration
- Number of volunteers engaged is commensurate with the funding request
- Budgetary compliance
Other factors that may be considered include geographic diversity of projects and whether an applicant has received funding for another project in the past year. Funding preference will be given to applicants that do not presently receive other grant funding from ServeOhio. All applicants will be notified of funding decisions by May 1, 2026 via the person listed on the application as the project manager.
Please note: The application process will take place on ServeOhio’s grants management system. The reporting process for selected grantees will also take place on the grants management system.
A training/technical assistance webinar will be held on April 3, 2026 at 10:00 AM EST via Zoom. Register for the webinar here. Topics covered will include the following: eligibility, application process and requirements, application timeline, funding usage, Q&A, and more.