250 E Street SW

Washington, D.C. 20525

202-606-5000 / 800-942-2677

202-606-5000 / 800-942-2677

Individual Match Waiver Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for 

AmeriCorps Applicants and Grantees

June 2022* 

1. What is the purpose of match?

In addition to being a requirement for most grant, non-AmeriCorps funds enables 

AmeriCorps programs to fully implement their programs since the AmeriCorps share 

alone is not sufficient.

2. Why is the blanket match waiver for any AmeriCorps grants not currently a 

viable option? 

Congress has not relieved the agency of the obligation to consider waivers on a caseby-case basis. When the COVID-19 pandemic initially presented an unanticipated, 

unprecedented, nation-wide hardship, AmeriCorps did utilize the fullest extent of its 

authorities to respond to the unique emergency by providing an emergency and 

temporary blanket waiver of all match requirements. After more than a year and 

following specific Congressional action to address the emergency without authorizing 

the agency to continue such waivers indefinitely, AmeriCorps cannot presently justify 

extending that limited blanket waiver coverage. Given that blanket waivers can only 

be justified under rare and extreme circumstances, the agency cannot override 

statutory requirements indefinitely.

3. What is the rationale for requiring match on American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds?

AmeriCorps understands that grantees and communities are still feeling the impact of 

the COVID-19 pandemic and the ARP funds are aimed at supporting their recovery. 

However, Congress did not provide additional match waiver authority in the ARP. 

AmeriCorps recognizes that statutory match requirements may pose challenges for 

certain grantees and the agency wants to work with your organizations to learn more 

about — and get feedback to address — any unnecessary complexities attendant to the 

current process to approve an alternative match schedule.

4. How did AmeriCorps handle waiver requests in the past?

AmeriCorps historically received very few waiver requests, and the vast majority were 

approved.

5. How has AmeriCorps made the waiver request easier?

AmeriCorps recognizes some of our applicants and grantees are still facing 

unprecedented circumstances, both with the lingering issues related to COVID-19 

and the influx of ARP funding. As a result, AmeriCorps revised the waiver process to 

make it easier to apply and review by:
2 

250 E Street SW

Washington, D.C. 20525

202-606-5000 / 800-942-2677

202-606-5000 / 800-942-2677

• using Microsoft Forms for consistency and efficiency

• allowing applicants and current grantees not in the final year of their project

period to request waivers

• requiring self-certified justifications rather than documentation to support waiver

requests

• committing to doing an initial review within 30 days of receiving requests to the

extent possible.

6. How has AmeriCorps made the waiver request more transparent?

AmeriCorps is proactively disseminating the waiver request process via live

AmeriCorps Seniors and AmeriCorps State and National Grantee Calls and written

updates, posting on respective program webpages, and posting with current funding

opportunities. Additionally, AmeriCorps will post a list of all requested waivers and

whether they were approved or not annually.

 7. How did AmeriCorps determine the criteria? 

The criteria are repeated verbatim from the respective programs’ regulations in 45 

CFR.

8. What is if I have submitted a waiver request using the prior process?

Your request is being reviewed. You do not need to resubmit using this process.

9. When can applicants and grantees apply for match waivers?

Applicants and grantees can apply for match waivers at the time of submitting new,

recomplete, renewal, and continuations as well as throughout their entire period of

performance. If not done at the time of application, an amendment will be required if

the waiver is approved.

10. Will this information be shared publicly?

Yes. AmeriCorps will post summaries of all match waiver requests as well as whether

they were approved or denied on its website annually.

Please contact MatchWaivers@cns.gov and copy your portfolio manager if you have any 

additional questions. These FAQs will be updated as warranted. Thank you.