The State of Illinois benefits economically when federal funds are invested in Illinois, and receiving an adequate amount of federal funding ensures that Illinois residents and businesses are getting a sufficient return on their federal taxes paid. However, Illinois receives less federal grants per person (or per capita) than the average state as well as states similar in population size . Most federal grant funding is distributed by formula, and major factors that affect federal grant funding include Medicaid status, geography, income and poverty levels, demographics, and population. While the state has limited ability to influence the key factors that affect federal formula-based grants, Illinois can take more proactive measures to increase the competitiveness of Illinois-based stakeholders applying for competitive federal grants. Federal grants typically require a match, which is the non-federal share of the project costs that a grantee must contribute to achieve the purposes of the award. The requirements for the match, such as the match percentage and sources, differ by federal agency and program. For example, some grants may require as little as a 20 percent match from the grantee, although it is not uncommon for grants to require a 50 percent match. In some instances, there is no formal matching requirement, although the percentage of the match provided by the grantee is usually used as a metric for evaluating the competitiveness of an application. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s (DCEO)’s Federal Grant Support Program will make $15 million available to Illinois-based businesses and organizations seeking competitive federal grants. This match program will encourage more applicants to apply for federal grant opportunities, provide critical assistance to meet the minimum match eligibility requirements, increase the competitiveness of applications, and provide the State of Illinois with an opportunity to make a firm commitment and demonstration of support for projects that are well aligned with the State’s economic development goals and priorities.

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Public Act 102-0698

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The objectives include: 1) more Illinois applicants will be encouraged to apply for federal awards; 2) more Illinois applicants will be able to meet federal matching requirements; 3) grant recipients will have more competitive federal applications; and 4) the State will be able to support projects that are aligned with its economic goals and priorities. This will be achieved by providing state matching funds for federal grant applications.

Yes

Information about the Program Specific Terms and requirements can be found within the Notice of Funding Opportunity

Government Organizations; Education Organizations; Public Housing Organizations; Nonprofit Organizations; For-Profit Organizations; Small Businesses;

Information about the Program Specific Applicant Eligibility can be found within the Notice of Funding Opportunity

Illinois awardees of federal grant applications

Project Grants

Economic Development

A standard application package must be submitted and reviewed by the Department. Each package should contain the following items: Uniform Grant Application in fillable PDF format. Signature page must be printed, signed, scanned and submitted with application. Uniform Budget utilizing the template provided by DCEO for this project. The entire budget with all worksheets included even if the worksheets are not relevant to the grant opportunity must be submitted with the application materials. Signature page must be printed, signed, scanned and submitted with application. Conflict of Interest Disclosure Mandatory Disclosures This Notice of Funding Opportunity also requires the submission of the following other programmatic specific items: Summary of the applicant’s federal award application, including (1) the applicant; (2) project partners; (3) the federal award opportunity; (4) the project and key project activities; (5) list of the anticipated location where each project activity will occur; and (6) roles and responsibilities of the applicant and project partners Narrative describing need for DCEO support, including assistance meeting match requirements, a gap that DCEO support is filling, and/or how DCEO support will be leveraged to make the application more competitive Certification that the applicant is the primary applicant/recipient on the federal award application Draft itemized budget and summary budget narrative, including (1) a breakout of the different contributions by the applicant and partners; (2) the funding request to the federal government; (3) anticipated amount of spending per project activity and location; and (4) the total anticipated amount of the award to be spent in Illinois. Certification that at least 51% of the federal award will be spent in Illinois Description of how the applicant’s proposal and associated activities align with the State’s economic development plan, priorities, and goals Demonstration that the outcome(s) of the project are aligned with the State’s economic development priorities and will improve the State’s position in the areas of: 1) laying the foundation for long-term growth; 2) reducing the equity gap; and/or 3) attracting more workers and businesses to Illinois. Demonstration of applicant’s ability to perform proposed activities and complete the proposed project given their knowledge and expertise, capacity, partnerships, resources, etc Demonstration of the applicant’s ability to fund the applicant’s financial contribution to the project Declaration of whether or not the federal award requires a match

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Grant application forms are available at the SmartSheet web link provided in the “Grant Application Link” field of the NOFO [NEEDS TO BE GENERATED] or by contacting the Program Manager: Chad Phillips Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity 555 W. Monroe, Chicago, IL 60661 Tele: 312-209-9764 Email: chad.phillips@illinois.gov

Grant proposals will be reviewed on a competitive, first-come, first-serve basis . Each proposal will be scored on a 100-point scale. Prioritization may given for federal awards that require a match, and based on the number of awards that an entity may have already received during the same fiscal year under this program. DCEO shall consider the following criteria when evaluating the application submittal: Need, Capacity, and Quality.

Grant proposals will be reviewed on a competitive, first-come, first-serve basis . Each proposal will be scored on a 100-point scale. Prioritization may given for federal awards that require a match, and based on the number of awards that an entity may have already received during the same fiscal year under this program. DCEO shall consider the following criteria when evaluating the application submittal: Need, Capacity, and Quality.

See NOFO.

The Department anticipates sending a Commitment Letter two (2) weeks after the application is received.

The Merit Based Review process is subject to appeal. However, competitive grant appeals are limited to the evaluation process. Evaluation scores may not be protested. Only the evaluation process is subject to appeal. The appeal must be submitted in writing to the Department within 14 calendar days after the date that the grant award notice has been published. The written appeal shall include the name and address of the appealing party, the identification of the grant and a statement of reasons for the appeal. To file an appeal, applicants must submit the appeal in writing and in accordance with the Merit-Based Application Review Appeals Process listed on the Grant Opportunities page of the DCEO website: https://www2.illinois.gov/dceo/AboutDCEO/GrantOpportunities/Pages/MeritAppReview.aspx.

Yes. Commitment letters are good for 120 days.

DCEO may provide a 1:1 cash matching grant for capital and non-capital expenses up to $2,000,000, with prioritization based on awards that require a federal match and the number of awards an institution may have already received in the same fiscal year under this program.

Grants will be used to fund projects that are aligned with the State’s economic development goals and priorities. Information about the Program Specific Uses and Restrictions can be found within the Notice of Funding Opportunity

Quarterly reporting using PPR, PFR

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001-42035-4900-0300, 552-42035-4900-0399

$0; $15M; $15M;

See NOFO.

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500 East Monroe Springfield, IL 62701 and 555 W Monroe St, 12th Floor Chicago, IL 60661

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FY 2022 : $1
FY 2023 : $15,000,000
FY 2024 : $15,000,000