6. Investing in What Works through Grants and Contracts

In 2022 and 2023, the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development used a tiered evidence framework from the AmeriCorps Evidence Exchange to determine fund allocation through the AmeriCorps State program. The 2022 and 2024 Requests for Proposals require evidence-based interventions with ‘Moderate’ or ‘Strong’ evidence for consideration, and dedicate 20% of the available points to the tier of evidence used (12%) and quality of evidence (8%).

Arizona Department of Education Administers the Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) Grant. This grant program funds services to improve child literacy. Grant funds must be used for interventions with strong or moderate evidence of effectiveness, as defined by the Every Student Succeeds Act.

In 2021 and 2022, the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services used a tiered evidence framework to allocate funds through its AmeriCorps Arkansas program. This program requires evidence of effectiveness for proposed services and defines such evidence by referencing the AmeriCorps Evidence Exchange. In 2022 the program specified that evidence of effectiveness represented a meaningful share of the points awarded within its “Program Design” rating category (worth 50% of total points). Applicants were encouraged to use interventions assessed as having ‘Moderate’ or ‘Strong’ tiered evidence, and to use the Mandatory Supplemental Guidance offered that further defined evidence of effectiveness.

In both 2021 and 2022, California Volunteers used a tiered evidence framework for allocating funds in its AmeriCorps California program. The 2021 Request for Proposals (RFP) emphasized Program Design, with Evidence Tier and Evidence Quality comprising 12% and 8%, respectively. In 2022, these were reduced to 6% and 4%. Applicants were directed to the AmeriCorps Evidence Exchange for guidance. Similarly, the California Board of State and Community Corrections prioritized evidence for the Adult Reentry Grant Program in 2022, with a focus on Housing First services. The California Department of Education applied a tiered evidence-based framework from CEBC in 2021 for the CLSD Grant program, encouraging strategies benefiting disadvantaged children. In 2022, evidence was paramount in the Reading Instruction and Intervention Grant, with scoring aligned with ESSA standards. The State Bar of California directed $58.5 million in 2021 towards its Homelessness Prevention Competitive Grant Program, awarding bonus points for proposals addressing homelessness in rural and underserved areas.

Colorado has launched a variety of grant programs across multiple agencies that define and prioritize evidence. These programs, focusing on areas such as community health, literacy, workforce development, and opioid response require applicants to spend funds on programs that are evidence-based. The total current funding amount for these initiatives is over $74 million, with Request for Proposals (RFP) published between July 29, 2021 and March 6, 2024. These grants aim to enhance the well-being of Colorado residents by supporting education improvements, health services, and preventive measures for youth and vulnerable populations.

Connecticut recognizes that prioritizing interventions with evidence of effectiveness will ensure better allocation of resources and more importantly, lead to better outcomes for people served by the state. As such, state agencies are making progress in requiring that grants and projects be funded with taxpayer dollars, articulate properly potential benefits and offer quantitative evidence of how this will occur. Connecticut grant programs that define and prioritize evidence include grants administered by Serve Connecticut, the Office of Early Childhood, the Department of Social Services, and the Department of Education.

In 2022, the Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration solicited a Request for Proposals for its Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs) to Improve Behavioral Health Outcomes for Children and Youth in Florida’s Child Welfare System grant program. This program funds preventative interventions for children who are at-risk of entering foster care. Grantees must deliver the Brief Strategic Family Therapy (BSFT) intervention, deemed well-supported on the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse, which focuses on Medicaid-eligible children and their families.

Volunteer Florida, a nonprofit organization that administers state AmeriCorps funding, uses a tiered evidence framework from the AmeriCorps Evidence Exchange in allocating funding through the Florida AmeriCorps program. The 2022 and 2023 Request for Proposals prioritized evidence-based interventions with ‘Moderate’ or ‘Strong’ evidence for consideration by attributing points within Program Design (worth 50% of total points) towards evidence-based criteria, including Evidence Tier (worth 12%) and Evidence Quality (worth 8%).

Georgia’s Division of Family and Children Services’ Promoting Safe and Stable Families program requires that all “service plans must include evidence-based programs, practices, and/or strategies proven effective in meeting the needs of children and their families.” The evidence-based requirement in the requests for proposal (Form 3) includes the following components: a description of the evidence-based model, practice, or strategies for service delivery; the evidence-based rating from the California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare (CEBC) or comparable rating from a relevant clearinghouse; a description of how the evidence-based model, practice, or strategy will be effective in meeting the grant’s objectives; and a description of how the model will be implemented.

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs administers the AmeriCorps State Grant program which funds service-oriented efforts surrounding community health and wellness. In the process of scoring applications for 2023 funding, up to 20 points (out of 100) are awarded based on evidence quality and tier, as defined by the AmeriCorps Evidence Exchange.

Serve Idaho administers AmeriCorps State Grants. This grant program funds service-oriented efforts surrounding community health and wellness. In the process of scoring applications for 2022 funding, up to 20 points (out of 100) are awarded based on evidence quality and tier, as defined by the AmeriCorps Evidence Exchange.

Serve Indiana administers the AmeriCorps State Grants. This grant program funds service-oriented efforts surrounding community health and wellness. In 2022, 2023, and 2024, grantees were required to propose programs assessed as having Moderate or Strong evidence according to the AmeriCorps Evidence Exchange. In the process of scoring applications for funding, up to 20 points (out of 100) are awarded based on evidence quality and tier.

In 2022, the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service used a tiered evidence framework from the AmeriCorps Evidence Exchange to define and prioritize evidence of effectiveness in its allocation of funds through its AmeriCorps grant program. Criteria from the Evidence Exchange assigned preference to evidence-based interventions assessed as ‘Moderate’ or ‘Strong’. To do this, the grant attributed points within Program Design (worth 50% of total points) towards evidence-based criteria, including Evidence Tier (worth 12%) and Evidence Quality (worth 8%). Evidence Base was subsequently awarded up to 20 points and Evidence Tier was allotted 12 points. Applicants assessed as lower than the Preliminary evidence tier (i.e., Pre-Preliminary) must provide adequate responses to the Evidence Quality review criteria in order to be considered for funding.” Applicants were encouraged to consider interventions through the AmeriCorps Mandatory Supplemental Guidance that further defined evidence.

In 2022 and 2023, the Kentucky Public Service Commission used a tiered evidence framework from the AmeriCorps Evidence Exchange to both define evidence and allocate funds through its AmeriCorps Kentucky State Grant Program. Criteria from the Evidence Exchange assigned preference to evidence-based interventions assessed as ‘Moderate’ or ‘Strong’. To do this, the grant attributed points within Program Design (worth 50% of total points) towards evidence-based criteria, including Evidence Tier (worth 12%) and Evidence Quality (worth 8%). Evidence Quality was subsequently awarded up to 8 points and Evidence Tier was allotted 12 points. Applicants assessed as lower than the Preliminary evidence tier (i.e., Pre-Preliminary) must provide adequate responses to the Evidence Quality review criteria in order to be considered for funding.” Applicants were encouraged to consider interventions through the AmeriCorps Mandatory Supplemental Guidance that further defined evidence.

In 2022 and 2023, the statewide Louisiana State Service Commission used a tiered evidence framework from the AmeriCorps Evidence Exchange to define evidence and allocate funds through its AmeriCorps Louisiana State Grant Program. Criteria from the Evidence Exchange assigned preference to evidence-based interventions assessed as ‘Moderate’ or ‘Strong’. To do this, the grant attributed points within Program Design (worth 50% of total points) towards evidence-based criteria, including Evidence Tier (worth 12%) and Evidence Quality (worth 8%). Evidence Base was subsequently awarded up to 20 points and Evidence Tier was allotted 12 points. The Requests for Proposals indicated that many of these interventions have demonstrated effectiveness in improving outcomes for individuals living in underserved communities and that the agency has committed resources to supporting grantees seeking to replicate and evaluate these interventions in similar communities. Applicants were encouraged to consider interventions through the AmeriCorps Mandatory Supplemental Guidance that further defined evidence.

The Volunteer Maine Commission for Community Service administers AmeriCorps State and National Grants which funds service-oriented efforts surrounding community health and wellness. In 2023, applicants were required to use evidence in their proposed programs, as defined by the AmeriCorps Evidence Exchange.

Maryland’s ENOUGH Initiative was created in May 2024 to help end concentrated poverty through place-based interventions in high-need communities. In the first year, Maryland will invest $20 million into the initiative. This includes up to $15 million in  competitive grants that support community-driven solutions and interventions with evidence of effectiveness. The Notice of Funding Opportunity prioritizes evidence by awarding up to 5 bonus points for completing a table with the evidence of effectiveness for proposed strategies.

The Maryland Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism AmeriCorps State and National Grants program funds service-oriented efforts that address critical community needs. Priority is given to proposed program designs assessed as having Moderate or Strong evidence as defined by the AmeriCorps Evidence Exchange. In the process of scoring applications for funding, reviewers award points based on evidence quality and tier. Details regarding point values assigned in scoring can be found in the Notice of Funding Opportunity and application instructions.

In 2022 and 2023, the Massachusetts Service Alliance, a nonprofit organization that administers state AmeriCorps funding, used a tiered evidence framework from the AmeriCorps Evidence Exchange in allocating funding through the Massachusetts AmeriCorps program. The Requests for Proposals prioritized evidence-based interventions with ‘Moderate’ or ‘Strong’ evidence by attributing points within Program Design (worth 50% of total points) towards evidence-based criteria, including Evidence Tier (worth 12%) and Evidence Quality (worth 8%). Evidence Base was subsequently awarded up to 20 points and Evidence Tier was allotted 12 points. Applicants assessed as lower than the Preliminary evidence tier (i.e., Pre-Preliminary) must provide adequate responses to the Evidence Quality review criteria in order to be considered for funding.” Applicants were encouraged to consider interventions through the AmeriCorps Mandatory Supplemental Guidance that further defined evidence tiers.

State grants that define and prioritize evidence provide over two hundred million dollars to communities across Minnesota. Grant programs that define and prioritize evidence include Serve Minnesota AmeriCorps grants, grants from the Minnesota Department of Education’s (Full-Service Community Schools grant program and the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant for Cohort 9), and grants administered by the Department of Human Services (Housing with Supports for Adults with Mental Illness grant program, and 2022 and 2023 Opioid Epidemic Response grants).

The Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service (Volunteer Mississippi) administers AmeriCorps State Grants. This grant program funds service-oriented efforts surrounding community health and wellness. In the process of scoring 2023 applications for funding, up to 20 points (out of 100) are awarded based on evidence quality and tier, as defined by the AmeriCorps Evidence Exchange.

In 2023, the Missouri Department of Economic Development and the Missouri Community Service Commission used a tiered evidence framework from the AmeriCorps Evidence Exchange to define and prioritize evidence, as well as allocate funds through its AmeriCorps Missouri State Grant Program. Criteria from the Evidence Exchange assigned preference to evidence-based interventions assessed as ‘Moderate’ or ‘Strong’. The grant attributed points within Program Design (50% of total points) towards evidence-based criteria, including Evidence Tier (12%) and Evidence Quality (8%). Evidence Base was subsequently awarded up to 20 points and Evidence Tier was allotted 12 points.  

Applicants were encouraged to consider interventions through the AmeriCorps Mandatory Supplemental Guidance. In improving the evidence design of Missouri’s AmeriCorps programs, the state is more competitive nationally. To that end, in May 2023, it was announced that Missouri received ten new competitive AmeriCorps grants, and this led to an increase of $4,266,660 in federal support to Missouri communities.

In 2020, the Montana Office of Public Instruction utilized evidence-based resources to inform Montana’s Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) Grant program. The State prioritized evidence by allocating up to 60 points (out of 200) for project selection criteria which includes using evidence-based practices. The Montana Office of Public Instruction released a process for selecting relevant, evidence-based interventions qualifying as Strong or Moderate, and provided resources to several research clearinghouses such as The U.S. Department of Education’s What Works Clearinghouse (WWC), the Institute of Education Science Resource Guides, and the Pew Results First Clearinghouse (Results First).

In 2022, 2023, and 2024, the Montana Governor’s Office of Community Service used a tiered evidence framework from the AmeriCorps Evidence Exchange to both define and prioritize evidence, as well as allocate funds through its AmeriCorps Serve Montana State Grant Program. Criteria from the Evidence Exchange assigned preference to evidence-based interventions assessed as ‘Moderate’ or ‘Strong’. To do this, the grant attributed points within Program Design (worth 50% of total points) towards evidence-based criteria, including Evidence Tier (worth 12%) and Evidence Quality (worth 8%). Evidence Base was subsequently awarded up to 20 points and Evidence Tier was allotted 12 points.

The Nebraska Volunteer Service Commission administers AmeriCorps State Grants. This grant program funds service-oriented efforts surrounding community health and wellness. In the process of scoring 2024 applications for funding, up to 20 points (out of 100) are awarded based on evidence quality and tier, as defined by the AmeriCorps Evidence Exchange.

​​Three Nevada grant programs require evidence-based approaches to secure funding. The Nevada Department of Education’s Addressing the Impact of Learning Loss grant, focused on mitigating COVID-19 learning loss, awards up to 10 points for evidence of effectiveness, following ESSA standards. The Nevada Volunteers’ AmeriCorps State and National Grants prioritize community health and wellness initiatives, granting up to 20 points for evidence quality, per AmeriCorps guidelines. Lastly, the Nevada Department of Education’s Title IV-B Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers funds educational and enrichment programs, with up to 20 points awarded for evidence alignment with ESSA’s four evidence tiers.

In 2021, Volunteer New Hampshire, a nonprofit organization that administers state AmeriCorps funding, used a tiered evidence framework from the AmeriCorps Evidence Exchange to determine fund allocations through the New Hampshire AmeriCorps program. The Request for Proposals prioritized evidence-based interventions with ‘Moderate’ or ‘Strong’ evidence for consideration by attributed points within the overall Evidence Base section (worth 12 points) towards evidence-based criteria, including both Evidence Tier and Evidence Quality. The RFP asserted that “many of these interventions have demonstrated effectiveness in improving outcomes for individuals living in underserved communities and that the agency has committed resources to supporting grantees seeking to replicate and evaluate these interventions in similar communities.” Applicants assessed as lower than the Preliminary evidence tier (i.e., Pre-Preliminary) were required to provide adequate responses to the Evidence Quality review criteria in order to be considered for funding.” Applicants were encouraged to consider interventions through the AmeriCorps Mandatory Supplemental Guidance that further defined evidence tiers.

New Jersey works to include evidence-based criteria in its grants, especially in services to children. Notable new initiatives include: (1) the Universal Home Visitation program, under which licensed nurses visit new parents at their homes to support families’ efforts to enhance maternal and child health and well-being and reduce health complications for mothers and newborns, under the evidence-based Family Connects mode; and (2) the New Jersey Commission National and Community Service AmeriCorps State Grants which funds local initiatives and utilizes the AmeriCorps model to increase civic engagement and improve New Jersey’s communities by deploying AmeriCorps members to provide services in the six focus areas: Disaster Services, Economic Opportunity, Education, Environmental Stewardship, Healthy Futures, and Veterans and Military Families.​

Serve New Mexico Commission defines and prioritizes evidence in the AmeriCorps State Grant program. The New Mexico Corrections Department funds evidence-based wellness services for individuals under supervision, probation or parole through the Behavioral health and Transitional Living Services grant program.

​​In 2022, the New York Office of Children and Family Services Commission on National and Community services used a tiered evidence framework from the AmeriCorps Evidence Exchange to define and prioritize evidence of effectiveness when allocating funds through its AmeriCorps New York State Grant Program. Criteria from the Evidence Exchange assigned preference to evidence-based interventions assessed as ‘Moderate’ or ‘Strong’. To do this, the grant attributed points within Program Design (worth 50% of total points) towards evidence-based criteria, including Evidence Tier (worth 12%) and Evidence Quality (worth 8%). Evidence Base was subsequently awarded up to 20 points and Evidence Tier was allotted 12 points. Applicants assessed as lower than the Preliminary evidence tier (i.e., Pre-Preliminary) must provide adequate responses to the Evidence Quality review criteria in order to be considered for funding.” If applicants assessed in the Pre-Preliminary evidence tier did not provide adequate responses to the Evidence Quality Standards, AmeriCorps New York would not consider them for funding. Applicants were encouraged to consider interventions through the AmeriCorps Mandatory Supplemental Guidance that further defined evidence tiers. 

North Carolina identified four grant programs or contracts that define evidence of effectiveness for programs and interventions and require or reward evidence-based models in the award of funds. The grant programs are the NC Recovery Housing Program, the Substance Abuse and Prevention & Treatment Block Grant, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Nutrition Education, and Core Programming for Confinement in Response to Violation (CVR) Centers and Correctional Facilities.

The North Dakota State Commission on National and Community Service administers AmeriCorps State Grants. This grant program funds service-oriented efforts surrounding community health and wellness. In the process of scoring 2022 applications for funding, up to 20 points (out of 100) are awarded based on evidence quality and tier as defined by the AmeriCorps Evidence Exchange.

Beginning in 2020, Ohio utilized a tiered evidence-based approach, combining criteria from the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and the U.S. Department of Education’s What Works Clearinghouse, for the Ohio Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) Grant program. Funding prioritized Strong or Moderate evidence-based strategies. Applicants were encouraged to prioritize subgrants for high-needs areas, including those serving low-income families or high-needs schools.

Ohio’s Help Me Grow program promotes early prenatal and well-baby care, parenting education, and reduces infant mortality. Ohio’s current budget allocates $101.5 million for evidence-based home visiting, benefiting 17,950 families, aiming for 86.4% prenatal home visit enrollment. The Ohio Commission on Service and Volunteerism administers the State AmeriCorps grant program which prioritizes programs with an evidence base.

In 2021, the Oregon Office of Workforce Investments used a tiered evidence framework from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) to both define and prioritize evidence, as well as allocate funds through its AmeriCorps Oregon State Grant Program. Criteria from the CNCS assigned preference to evidence-based interventions assessed as ‘Moderate’ or ‘Strong’. To do this, the grant assigned points within the Evidence Base section (up to 20), with Evidence Tier allotted 12 points and Evidence Quality 8 points. The RFP prioritized evidence by stating that “all applicants must propose program designs that are either evidence-based or evidence-informed. Applicants assessed as lower than the Preliminary evidence tier (i.e., Pre-Preliminary) must provide adequate responses to the Evidence Quality review criteria in order to be considered for funding.” Applicants were encouraged to consider interventions through the AmeriCorps Mandatory Supplemental Guidance that further defined evidence tiers.

In August 2021, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) released a Notice of Grant Availability for up to $4 million of funding for Pennsylvania Industry Partnerships grants. Grant applicants will be evaluated in part by data collection and performance outcomes (15 points out of 100) as well as evidence building and project effectiveness (10 points out of 100). As part of the latter category, applicants must identify their level (or category) of evidence and “explain how they intend to strengthen their ability to utilize evidence for the purposes of evaluating program outcomes.”

Serve Rhode Island administers the AmeriCorps State and National Grants for Rhode Island. This grant program funds service-oriented efforts surrounding community health and wellness. In the process of scoring applications for funding, up to 20 points (out of 100) are awarded based on evidence quality and tier, as defined by the AmeriCorps Evidence Exchange.

South Carolina First Steps administers the Resources for Early Acceleration and Development in Youth (READY) Grant to Sustain and Expand Effective Programs Serving Children and Families. This grant program funds kindergarten readiness services for children aged birth through 3 years old who live in rural communities. A minimum of 75% of the available funding is reserved for evidence-based programs, as defined by the South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness Act.

Tennessee’s Office of Criminal Justice Programs (OCJP) manages criminal justice grants to introduce evidence-based programs in local jails. Grantees must propose interventions from the highest or second-highest evidence tiers per the Results First Clearinghouse Database. OCJP received an additional $25 million for this program until fiscal year 2025, with 25 recipients and over $19 million in obligations. 

Volunteer Tennessee, utilizing the AmeriCorps Evidence Exchange, awards funds based on evidence of effectiveness, granting up to 20 points in scoring. Applicants with 3+ years of funding must submit impact evaluation plans.

The TN Department of Education prioritizes evidence in grant programs like All Corps, focusing on high-dosage tutoring, and Summer Programming, targeting summer learning loss prevention. The Reading 360 Networks grant supports reading resources and teacher professional development to improve student reading levels.

The Texas Department of Family & Protective Services defines and prioritizes evidence of effectiveness in its Nurse-Family Partnership program to develop and expand evidence-based nurse home visiting programs, the Community Youth Development program, the Healthy Outcomes through Prevention and Early Support (HOPES) program, the Prevention and Early Intervention program, and the Texas Service Members, Veterans and Families program.

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission defines and prioritizes evidence of effectiveness in its Adult Mental Health Recovery-Based Outreach Services in Peer-Focused Environments program and Veterans and Family Alliance Grant Program.

The Texas Workforce Commission defines and prioritizes evidence of effectiveness in its Adult Education and Literacy Employer Engagement, Texas Talent Connection and Building and Construction Trades programs.

The One Star Foundation (a nonprofit that administers state AmeriCorps funding), through the Texas State Service Commission, defines and prioritizes evidence of effectiveness through its AmeriCorps programs.

In 2018, the Vermont Agency of Education adopted four tiers of evidence, based on the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), to inform the distribution of education funds, including federal education and state-funded grants (such as BEST/Act 230 in 2022 and the Community Schools Act in 2022; see sample statement of evidence). The guidance states: “applying the same requirement to both federal and state grants will allow for greater consistency in the review and approval of grant applications.” In 2019, the Agency built on this guidance, creating the Vermont School Wellness Policy Guidelines and Implementation guide. This resource created the Local Wellness Policy (LWP) that informs program creation for local education agencies (LEAs), including requiring the use of evidence-based strategies in determining the policy’s goals.

In 2022, the Virginia Department of Social Services used a tiered evidence framework from the AmeriCorps Evidence Exchange to both define and prioritize evidence, as well as allocate funds through its AmeriCorps Serve Virginia State Grant Program. Criteria from the Evidence Exchange assigned preference to evidence-based interventions assessed as ‘Moderate’ or ‘Strong’. To do this, the grant attributed points within Program Design (worth 50% of total points) towards evidence-based criteria, including Evidence Tier (worth 12%) and Evidence Quality (worth 8%). Evidence Base was subsequently awarded up to 20 points and Evidence Tier was allotted 12 points. Applicants assessed as lower than the Preliminary evidence tier (i.e., Pre-Preliminary) must provide adequate responses to the Evidence Quality review criteria in order to be considered for funding.” Applicants were encouraged to consider interventions through the AmeriCorps Mandatory Supplemental Guidance that further defined evidence tiers.

In 2022 and 2023, the governmental organization Serve Washington used a tiered evidence framework from the AmeriCorps Evidence Exchange to both define and prioritize evidence, as well as allocate funds through its AmeriCorps Washington State Grant Program. Criteria from the Evidence Exchange assigned preference to evidence-based interventions assessed as ‘Moderate’ or ‘Strong’. To do this, the grant attributed points within the Evidence Base (up to 20) depending on the evidence tier reached, from Pre-Preliminary to Strong. Applicants assessed as lower than the Preliminary evidence tier (i.e., Pre-Preliminary) must provide adequate responses to the Evidence Quality review criteria in order to be considered for funding.” Applicants were encouraged to consider interventions through the AmeriCorps Mandatory Supplemental Guidance that further defined evidence tiers.

In 2022, the statewide governmental organization Volunteer West Virginia used a tiered evidence framework from the AmeriCorps Evidence Exchange to both define and prioritize evidence, as well as allocate funds through its AmeriCorps West Virginia State Grant Program. Criteria from the Evidence Exchange assigned preference to evidence-based interventions assessed as ‘Moderate’ or ‘Strong’. To do this, the grant attributed points within Program Design (worth 50% of total points) towards evidence-based criteria, including Evidence Tier (worth 12%) and Evidence Quality (worth 8%). Evidence Base was subsequently awarded up to 20 points and Evidence Tier was allotted 12 points. Applicants assessed as lower than the Preliminary evidence tier (i.e., Pre-Preliminary) must provide adequate responses to the Evidence Quality review criteria in order to be considered for funding.” Applicants were encouraged to consider interventions through the AmeriCorps Mandatory Supplemental Guidance that further defined evidence tiers.

In 2022 and 2023, the Wisconsin National and Community Service Board (Serve Wisconsin) funded evidenced based AmeriCorps programs that demonstrated their impact through data collection, evaluation, and replicating successful programs listed on the AmeriCorps Evidence Exchange. Criteria from the AmeriCorps NOFO & AmeriCorps Mandatory Supplemental Guidance defines evidence-based interventions assessed as Moderate, Strong, Preliminary & Pre-Preliminary. Grant applicants are awarded points within Program Design Narrative (worth 50% of total points) based on their Evidence Tier (12 points) and Evidence Quality (8 points). Applicants assessed as lower than the Preliminary evidence tier (i.e., Pre-Preliminary) must provide adequate responses to the Evidence Quality review criteria to be considered for funding. Applicants were encouraged to improve their program design and interventions through replicating rigorously and independently evaluated programs listed on the AmeriCorps Evidence Exchange.

Serve Wyoming administers Americorps State Grants. This grant program funds service-oriented efforts surrounding community health and wellness. In the process of scoring 2023 applications for funding, up to 20 points (out of 100) are awarded based on evidence quality and tier, as defined by the AmeriCorps Evidence Exchange.