Illinois Racing Board Charity Fund Program
CSFA Number: 579-00-1627
Agency Name
Illinois Racing Board (579)
Agency Identification
0271
Agency Contact
Brandon Westholm
312-814-5041
brandon.westholm@illinois.gov
Short Description
For over 30 years, the Illinois Racing Board Charity Fund Program has provided more than $24 million for medical, dental, family, counseling, and other wellness services (“Wellness Services”) to persons who reside or work on the backstretch of Illinois’ pari-mutuel race tracks. The State of Illinois and Illinois Racing Board (“IRB”) is the only racing jurisdiction in the United States that has this type of program. Specifically, section 31.1 of the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975 (“Racing Act”) requires organization licensees (a/k/a race tracks) collectively to contribute annually to charity the sum of $750,000 to non-profit organizations that provide Wellness Services to persons who reside or work on the backstretch of Illinois’ pari-mutuel race tracks.
Federal Authorization
N/A
Illinois Statue Authorization
230 ILCS 5/31.1 of the Illinois Racing Act of 1975
Illinois Administrative Rules Authorization
Illinois Administrative Code Part 208
Objective
Objectives and Goals 1. To provide Wellness Services to assist the needs of the persons who reside or work on the backstretch of Illinois’ pari-mutuel race tracks, which care for the wellbeing of the equine athletes participating at live race meets. 2. To increase the wellness and quality of life of backstretch residents and workers, the applicant will provide Wellness Services to increase the overall number of backstretch residents and workers being treated, while limiting non-treatment expenses. 3. Assist backstretch residents and workers in receiving timely, adequate and necessary Wellness Services to continue employment on the backstretch with the least amount of inconvenience and disruption to such persons and Illinois horse racing.
Prime Recipient
Yes
UGA Program Terms
1. The IRB Charity Fund Program is a state-funded program [230 ILCS 5/31.1]. The anticipated number of State awards will be one (1), with average awards ranging from $0 to $770,000. The grant period will begin January 1, and will end on December 31; provided, however, the IRB may include 2 “one-year” renewal terms and execution of a new Uniform State Grant Agreement for each renewal term. The release of this NOFO does not obligate the IRB to make an award. Services may not be provided until a Uniform State Grant Agreement is fully executed. 2. All grants are subject to the terms of the Illinois Grant Funds Recovery Act [30 ILCS 705]. The grant program may provide up to a maximum of 100% funding assistance on total approved project costs. No IRB Charity Fund Program funds shall be used for construction that is not an expansion of an already existing program facility or included in applicant’s application; provided, however, prior written approval of the IRB is required for any capital construction expenditures. 3. Rules and regulations are enforced limiting the use of funds for their intended purpose of the program via audit, reporting, on-site reviews, and monitored on a quarterly basis. 4. Specific contract deliverables and expenditures of grant funds shall also adhere to the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (“Uniform Guidance”), Title 2 CFR 200, as applicable. Although this program is not funded through federal funds, the State of Illinois has adopted the Uniform Guidance as the standard for funds distributed through State of Illinois agencies. 5. Applicant must submit a project plan which supports the level of funding and details how the award will be executed by the applicant. The project plan must include necessary detail to enable the IRB to manage the grant agreement activity against planned project performance.
Eligible Applicants
Nonprofit Organizations;
Applicant Eligibility
Any non-profit organization that provides medical and family counseling and similar services to persons who reside or work on the backstretch of Illinois racetracks may apply for funds pursuant to Section 31.1 of the Act [230 ILCS 5/31.1]. Each applicant must be able to document its not-for-profit status with a 501(c)(3) (26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3)) Internal Revenue Service ruling or a letter from the Illinois Attorney General's Charitable Trust Division containing the applicant's current registration number and confirming that the applicant is current in the filing of its financial reports.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Persons who reside or work on the backstretch of Illinois racetracks
Types of Assistance
Project Grants
Subject / Service Area
Healthcare
Credentials / Documentation
Proof the service providers are properly licensed by the State of Illinois to conduct services provided. Proof of status as a non-profit organization 501 (c)(3) IRS ruling Copy of a letter from the Illinois Attorney General’s Charitable Trust Division confirming that the applicant is current in the filing of its financial reports for the most recent fiscal year
Preapplication Coordination
Each applicant is required to: 1. Have access to the Internet. It is the responsibility of each applicant to monitor the GATA website and comply with any instructions or requirements relating to the NOFO. 2. Each applicant (unless the applicant is an individual or Federal or State awarding agency that is exempt from those requirements under 2 CFR § 25.110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved by the Federal or State awarding agency under 2 CFR § 25.110(d)) is required to: a. Be registered in System for Award Management (SAM) before submitting its application. If you are not registered in SAM, this link provides a connection for SAM registration: https://sam.gov/content/home b. Provide a valid Unique Entity Identification Number. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) is now the primary means of identifying entities registered for federal awards government-wide in the System for Award Management (SAM). If your entity is already registered in SAM, it has been assigned a UEI. Instructions regarding the migration from DUNS to UEI have been posted in the GATA website. c. Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information while it has an active award or application under consideration. IRB may not make a federal pass-through or state award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable SAM requirements. If an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time IRB is ready to make an award,IRB may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award, and may use that determination as a basis for making a state award to another applicant. 1. Application guidelines are provided throughout the NOFO. 2. Complete Uniform State Grant Applications and IRB Application, Proposal, Budget, and Attachments may be submitted any time before 4:30pm (CST) on October 1, 2023. 3. Application and documents must be submitted via AmpliFund. 4. If you have trouble submitting via AmpliFund. please contact Brandon Westholm via email at Brandon.Westholm@illinois.gov. 5. Additional resources are available at: https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/GATA/pages/resourcelibrary.aspx 6. An applicant’s failure to meet the above application filing requirements and deadlines may result in the IRB returning the application without review or if reviewed, may preclude the IRB from making a state award to such applicant. 7. Pre-qualification is required to receive a grant, but the applicant may apply for grant awards prior to completing the pre-qualification. 8. Applicant’s failure to timely provide documentation, answers or other information to the IRB’s follow-up requests may terminate the applicant’s eligibility for a grant available pursuant to this NOFO. 9. CONTACT PERSON: Brandon Westholm Illinois Racing Board 555 West Monroe, 1700-S Chicago, Illinois 60661 Phone: 312-814-5041 E-mail: Brandon.Westholm@Illinois.gov
Application Procedures
Register in the Illinois Grantee Portal: https://grants.illinois.gov/portal/. Application submissions via the State of Illinois Amplifund website: https://il.amplifund.com/Public/Opportunities/Details/66ad2ca3-20a9-4f9c-b8e6-c12524da0ea9
Criteria Selecting Proposals
2. In addition to the Evaluation Committee review, consideration will be given to the applicant’s past performance in providing wellness services, if applicable. Funding decisions will be based on the quality of the completed application as scored through the Evaluation Committee. The following factors are used by the Evaluation Committee in evaluating and recommending program applications for funding assistance consideration: a. Proposed number and types of programs providing Wellness Services to residents or workers on the backstretch of Illinois’ pari-mutuel race tracks; b. The proposed program will be conveniently located in close proximity of the backstretch of Illinois’ pari-mutuel race tracks in areas of demand and readily accessible to major populations of eligible backstretch residents and workers; c. The proposed program will propose additional benefits that go towards the improved health and wellness of eligible backstretch residents and workers; d. The applicant’s record of providing Wellness Services to persons who reside or work on the backstretch of Illinois’ pari-mutuel race tracks or the applicant’s record of providing such Wellness Services to non-backstretch residents or workers similar to the proposed Wellness Services to be provided to backstretch residents or workers. e. The applicant’s understanding of backstretch resident and workers required Wellness Service and issues.
Award Procedures
Merit based review
Deadlines
NOFO posts August 16th Closing dates for applications is October 1st
Range of Approval or Disapproval Time
November 1 through December 31
Appeals
Only the Merit Based Review Process is subject to appeal. The IRB Chairman or his designee may appoint one or more Appeal Review Officers (“ARO”) to consider any grant-related appeal and make any required determination. An appeal must be submitted in writing and received within 14 calendar days of the non-award notice and must include the name and address of the appealing party, identification of the grant, and a statement of reasons for the appeal via e-mail to the IRB Contact person listed in this NOFO. The IRB will acknowledgement receipt of the appeal within 14 calendar days of its receipt and issue a written determination within 60 calendar days or supply a written explanation to the appealing party as to why additional time is required.
Renewals
the IRB may include 2 “one-year” renewal terms and execution of a new Uniform State Grant Agreement for each renewal term. The release of this NOFO does not obligate the IRB to make an award. Services may not be provided until a Uniform State Grant Agreement is fully executed.
Formula Matching Requirements
N/A
Uses and Restrictions
To be used exclusively for medical and family, counseling, and similar services to persons who reside or work on the backstretch of Illinois' pari-mutuel racetracks.
Reports
Post assistance requirements shall be incorporated by reference to the 2018 Grant Agreement including but not limited to maintenance and accessibility of records (monitoring), financial reporting requirements, performance reporting requirements, and audit requirements.
Audits
a) Each recipient shall have an annual audit performed at the close of its fiscal year. This audit is to be performed in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards by an independent certified public accountant registered by the State of Illinois. The resulting audit report is to be prepared in accordance with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) (2011). b) Audit Report 1) A copy of the applicant's audited financial statements for the preceding calendar year shall be included in the applicant's application. A request for an extension of time to file an audit report must be submitted in writing 30 days prior to the deadline for filing the application. A request for an extension of time to file an audit report shall only be granted when the auditor submits a signed statement certifying that the audit cannot be completed in the designated time due to circumstances beyond the control of the auditor and the recipient. The auditor's statement must also detail the circumstances that form the basis for this request. 2) The report shall contain the basic financial statements presenting the financial position of the agency, the results of its operations and changes in fund balances. 3) The reports shall contain a schedule of income by source. Individual sources of income should not be combined (e.g., funds received from several State or federal agencies should not be combined into one classification, such as "State of Illinois" or "Federal Government"). 4) The report shall contain a schedule of operating expenses by program - operating fund. The term "operating fund" includes all funds a recipient may have in its accounting records except those in a capital fund or contingency fund. 5) The report shall also contain the auditor's opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole, or an assertion to the effect that an opinion cannot be expressed. If the auditor expresses a qualified opinion, a disclaimer of opinion, or an adverse opinion, the reason for that opinion must be stated. The auditor shall communicate any material weakness in the recipient's internal controls. c) Recipients shall also be subject to audit by Board personnel to determine whether the funds awarded by the Board are being used in accordance with proposed budget contained in the application.
Records
a) Each entity receiving funds shall establish and maintain a formal modified accrual accounting system in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) including a level of documentation, classification of entries and audit trails sufficient to meet the requirements of this Part. b) All accounting entries must be supported by source documents, recorded in books of original entry, and posted to a general ledger on a monthly basis. c) For programs funded by the Board, expenses are to be recorded by specific program. All expenses not funded by the Board may be booked in total. d) All fiscal records must be maintained by the recipient for five years after the end of the funding period. In instances involving unresolved issues arising from an audit, pending litigation or tax issues, records related to those issues must be retained until the issues are resolved.
Account Identification
0271-579-50-44800055
Obligations
PY $750,000 CY $750,000 BY $767,193.40
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$750,000 to $770,000
Program Accomplishments
For more than 30 years, the Illinois Racing Board Charity Fund Program has provided more than $26 million for medical, dental, family, counseling, and other services (“Wellness Services”) to persons who reside or work on the backstretch of Illinois’ pari-mutuel race tracks.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975 [230 ILCS 5/31.1] 11
Regional or Local Assistance Location
N/A
Headquarters Office
555 West Monroe Suite 1700 S, Chicago Illinois 60661
Program Website
This is an on-going program. 1. Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance 2. Project Narrative 3. Budget 4. Budget Narrative
Example Projects
RICF Wellness Services Program
Published Date
Funding By Fiscal Year
FY 2016 : $750,000
FY 2017 : $750,000
FY 2018 : $750,000
FY 2019 : $860,319
FY 2020 : $750,000
FY 2021 : $750,000
FY 2022 : $750,000
FY 2023 : $750,000
Federal Funding
None
Notice of Funding Opportunities
Agency IDAward RangeApplication Range
Agency IDGrantee NameStart DateEnd DateAmount
2024-31.1Racing Industry Charitable Foundation01/01/202412/31/2024767,000
Racing Industry Charitable Foundation01/01/202412/31/2024767,000