9/11 Day Campus Grants Program

9/11 Day is the nonprofit organization that organizes the federally recognized September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance. Its mission is to inspire Americans to engage in acts of kindness, volunteerism, and community service in honor of those affected by the events of September 11, 2001. Today, 9/11 Day is the largest annual day of service in the United States.

The 9/11 Day Campus Grants Program, supported by AmeriCorps, provides funding to colleges, universities, and campus organizations to support volunteer service projects that commemorate 9/11 Day and address local community needs. Projects may take place on campus or in the surrounding community. In addition, the Popeyes Foundation is awarding $150,000 to support efforts addressing food insecurity on and around your campus.

A wide range of volunteer service projects will be considered. Preference is given to projects addressing community priorities such as hunger, homelessness, support for veterans or first responders, environmental sustainability, education, health, and community revitalization. Creativity and innovation are encouraged.

Eligible applicants include:

• Accredited colleges and universities in the U.S.
• Campus-based groups applying in coordination with their institution
• Student life, civic engagement, or community service offices
• National organizations proposing service projects across multiple campuses

All applicants must demonstrate the capacity to organize volunteer service projects on campus.

For individual campuses or campus-based initiatives:

• $2,500 – Minimum 50 volunteers; smaller or single-day projects
• $5,000 – Minimum 100 volunteers; larger or multi-faceted events
• $10,000 – Minimum 250 volunteers; campus-wide or multi-day initiatives

For national or multi-campus organizations:

• $25,000 or $50,000 – Applicants must demonstrate that at least 10 campuses will host qualifying service projects

Grant funds are paid to the applying organization within 30 days of receiving a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Funds are not paid to individual students.

No. Projects do not need to occur on September 11 itself. To qualify for funding, service projects must take place between September 1 and September 25, 2026 and be promoted as part of the annual 9/11 Day observance.

Yes. Promotional materials (including social media posts, signage, handouts, and news releases) may be required to include official logos, such as the 9/11 Day logo, AmeriCorps logo, and for hunger relief projects, the Popeyes Foundation logo, where permitted by campus policies. Grantees will receive branding assets and guidelines.

Grantees will be asked to complete light-touch reporting, including:

• A brief pre-event plan outlining activities and anticipated youth participation
• A short post-event summary with participation numbers
• Photos, videos, and stories highlighting volunteer numbers, hours and impact. Reporting templates and timelines will be provided.

Yes. Due to federal funding requirements, grant funds may not be used for activities that:

• Attempt to influence legislation, political outcomes, or elections
• Organize protests, boycotts, or strikes
• Support or oppose union activity
• Provide religious instruction or worship services
• Provide direct benefit to for-profit businesses or political organizations
• Fund voter registration drives or abortion services/referrals

Applications may also be declined if they conflict with federal guidelines or program goals.

• Access to a resource center with project ideas and planning tools
• Templates for outreach and promotional materials
• Guidance from the 9/11 Day team during planning and implementation

Organizations apply by completing the online application form with details about the institution, proposed service project, and outreach plans.

Campus participation helps:

• Inspire unity and service among students, faculty, and communities
• Address local needs through meaningful volunteer work
• Honor the legacy of September 11 through action
• Join a national movement of service and remembrance during the 25th anniversary

Subgrantees may recover indirect costs in accordance with Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) and applicable AmeriCorps award terms. Organizations with a current federally negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA) may apply their approved rate. Organizations without a NICRA may elect a de minimis indirect cost rate of up to 15% of Modified Total Direct Costs (MTDC), where permitted by the underlying federal award; a lower rate (e.g., 10%) may also be used if preferred or required based on award terms. Alternatively, subgrantees may choose not to claim indirect costs and instead charge all allowable costs directly. All indirect cost recovery is subject to AmeriCorps administrative cost limitations applicable to the prime award, and 9/11 Day reserves the right to adjust or limit indirect cost reimbursement to ensure compliance.