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.