The Service United Fund provides philanthropic capital to help states and territories strengthen service as a strategy for creating meaningful pathways for young people, strengthening communities, and bringing people together. We launched this effort at the National Governors Association Summer Meeting in 2026. The application process starts with an Expression of Interest, which initiates a conversation with the Service United Fund team to collaboratively determine how the state or territory can best participate in this initiative.
GRANT CATEGORIES
Three Levels of Funding
The purpose of the Service United Fund is to provide philanthropic support for states to plan, build, or expand service strategies that drive impact across three pillars: (1) support young people in entering education and the workforce, (2) bring people across lines of difference to strengthen communities, and (3) deliver on key issues such as education, public safety, housing, energy, workforce development, conservation, and mental health, among others. By service strategies, we mean integrating paid service programs for young people in your state or territory in order to improve outcomes across the three measures outlined above. To achieve this, we will consider applications for grants under three categories.
PLAN
Up to $100,000
Up to 12 months
Plan a service strategy or plan significant modifications to existing service programs.
BUILD
Up to $500,000
12 to 24 months
Launch or expand one or more state service programs.
IMPACT
Up to $1,500,000
24 to 36 months
Launch or expand a state service strategy. Includes an expectation of a 20 percent match from sources within the state (public or private) over the course of the grant.
HOW TO APPLY
Application Instructions
States and territories interested in receiving funding should complete the steps below.
-
Review the Brief Questionnaire About Your Service Strategy
Download the document below to preview the questions you will be asked when you submit your Expression of Interest. Please note: only the Governor’s office can submit an Expression of Interest for your state or territory. If you have questions, please email: applications@serviceunitedfund.org.
-
Submit an Expression of Interest
Complete the Expression of Interest form. This starts the application process. The Expression of Interest must be submitted by the Governor’s office. We will only consider one Expression of Interest per state or territory.
-
Virtual meeting with the Service United Fund team
We’ll set up an introductory call with you and representatives from the Service United Fund team. The purpose of this call is to talk about your vision for this grant. As funders, we want to ensure we have a clear sense of the best ways we can support service as a strategy in your state and territory, and we may also be able to help connect you with experts to support your application development (next step).
-
Application Submission
States and territories that have completed the virtual meeting step will receive a new link inviting them to submit an application for a Plan, Build, or Impact grant. The deadline to submit the application is midnight ET on October 23, 2026. Applications must be submitted online through the application portal.
-
Application Review
The Service United Fund is a competitive process. In this step, we will review applications and make funding decisions.
Applications for Round 2 for this grant program will open in fall 2026, after the November 3 election. States and territories can start the process at any time by submitting an Expression of Interest.
APPLICATION PREVIEW
Brief Questionnaire About Your Service Strategy
Download this document to preview the questions you will be asked when you submit your Expression of Interest.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you mean by service?
By service, we mean a paid, structured, time-bound experience during which participants make a meaningful, sustained commitment to serve. While paid service is the central focus of this initiative, volunteerism may be included as an element within the broader strategy.
How do you define young people?
By young people we generally mean 16- to 24-year-olds.
Who is eligible to apply?
All 55 members of the National Governors Association are eligible, including states and territories with authority to administer a service program. The Expression of Interest must be submitted by the Governor’s office. Later in the process, the Governor can identify a lead agency or partner for this grant, but only the Governor’s office can initiate the application.
What is the expected role of the governor in this initiative?
The person who submits the Expression of Interest form must be part of the Governor’s office and designated by the Governor as the point person for this effort. The service strategy proposed by your state/territory should be aligned with the governor’s priorities, and a letter of support from the governor will be required as part of the final application package.
What is the funding range?
There are three categories of grants available through the Service United Fund.
Plan Grants: Grants of up to $100,000 for up to 12 months to plan a service strategy or to plan significant modifications to existing service programs.
Build Grants: Grants of up to $500,000 for 12 to 24 months, to launch or expand one or more state service programs.
Impact Grants: Grants of up to $1,500,000 for 24 to 36 months, to launch or expand a state service strategy; with these grants, we include an expectation of securing a 20 percent match from state sources (public or private) over the course of the grant.
What is the timeline for decisions?
Expressions of Interest are reviewed on a rolling basis. States and territories will be contacted to schedule a virtual meeting within a few weeks of submitting their Expression of Interest. Round 1 grant decisions will be announced in early 2027.
My state or territory has a gubernatorial election in 2026. Are we still eligible?
Yes, states and territories can submit an Expression of Interest and start the process regardless of whether there is a gubernatorial election. States and territories can also submit an Expression of Interest after an election, for consideration as part of Round 2 of the Service United Fund. If a state or territory submits an Expression of Interest for Round 1 and the governor is not going to be in office in 2027, then during the virtual call, the Service United Fund team will ask some additional questions about how the state or territory will ensure the grant will receive governor support under the next administration.
Can a state or territory apply for more than one grant?
No, states and territories can only apply for one grant; there may be future opportunities for Plan grant recipients to apply for a Build or Impact grant.
What is the difference between a service program and a service strategy?
The distinction is the depth of leadership commitment and the integration of service programs into key state infrastructure and priorities.
Do I need to already have a defined service strategy to submit an Expression of Interest?
No. If you are interested in participating in this initiative but do not yet have a well-defined service strategy, you can still submit an Expression of Interest, and the Service United Fund team will think collaboratively with you on potential options.
Does my grant have to deliver impact across all three impact pillars?
Yes, we expect all service programs and strategies to support young people in continuing education or entering the workforce, bring people together, and address one or more key issues for communities. We are open to each applicant defining what that looks like in your state or territory, and part of the purpose of the Expression of Interest and virtual meeting with the Service United Fund team is to collaboratively discuss your thinking and vision for success before you submit a full application.
Can a state or territory reapply if not selected?
Yes. States and territories that are not selected in Round 1 may apply again when Round 2 opens in early 2027. Program staff are available to provide feedback.
Is matching funding required?
With Impact grants, there is an expectation of a 20 percent match from state sources (public or private) to be secured over the course of the grant. There is no matching requirement for Plan or Build grants.
FOUNDING PHILANTHROPIC PARTNERS
