Digital Equity Capacity Kickstarter Program
CSFA Number: 420-35-3170
Agency Name
Department Of Commerce And Economic Opportunity (420)
Agency Identification
43-3
Agency Contact
Devon Braunstein
773-550-1780
broadband@illinois.gov
Short Description
The program will serve as a bridge to forthcoming federal Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program funding per the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Federal Authorization
N/A
Illinois Statue Authorization
GRF
Illinois Administrative Rules Authorization
Public Act 101-0029
Objective
(a) Facilitate the promotion of and increase awareness of and participation in low cost internet subscriptions among eligible households by: • Expanding and supporting diverse and impactful outreach efforts; • Strengthen outreach partners nationwide by empowering them to mobilize people and organizations to help raise awareness; and • Increase enrollment as a result of Outreach Grant Program funded activities. (b) Broad Digital Navigation. Contribute to the Connect Illinois Statewide Digital Navigator Network by: • Serving as the primary point of contact for community members seeking guidance and support around digital literacy, digital skills building, and home broadband needs; • Providing advice and assistance to community members on the use of digital tools and platforms, including but not limited to, social media, email, and general web use; and • Coaching, training, and guiding residents individually or in group settings on how to use their home internet service to meet their day-to-day needs.
Prime Recipient
Yes
UGA Program Terms
Within thirty (30) days of the execution of the Agreement, the Grantee will provide a detailed timeline of projected deliverables, which must be approved by Grantor. The timeline and any subsequent revisions shall be incorporated by reference into this Agreement. The timeline will be submitted in conjunction with the initial Periodic Performance Report (PPR). The timeline will be used to measure performance throughout the life of the Award and will be updated and reported on each PPR reporting due date.
Eligible Applicants
Government Organizations; Education Organizations; Nonprofit Organizations; For-Profit Organizations; Other;
Applicant Eligibility
Eligible applicants for this program include a community based organization; a nonprofit organization; or a political subdivision. Illinois public school districts are eligible to apply but may be encouraged to leverage available federal or education-specific funding prior to an award.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Illinois residents
Types of Assistance
Project Grants
Subject / Service Area
Economic Development
Credentials / Documentation
• Has a valid FEIN number; • Has a valid UEI number; • Has a current SAM.gov account; • Is not on the Federal Excluded Parties List; • Is in Good Standing with the Illinois Secretary of State, as applicable; • Is not on the Illinois Stop Payment list; and • Is not on the Department of Healthcare and Family Services Provider Sanctions list.
Preapplication Coordination
Yes
Application Procedures
A standard application package must be submitted and reviewed by the Department. Each package should contain the following items: i. Uniform Grant Application in fillable PDF format. (print, sign and scan signature page with submission) ii. 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. (print, sign and scan signature page with submission) iii. Conflict of Interest Disclosure iv. Mandatory Disclosures This Notice of Funding Opportunity also requires the submission of the following other programmatic specific items (See Application Packet Part 2 for details of these requirements): v. Cover Page vi. W-9 form
Criteria Selecting Proposals
Geographical dispersion
Award Procedures
Merit based review; reimbursement based on quarterly reporting
Deadlines
N/A
Range of Approval or Disapproval Time
N/A
Appeals
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 from the date of the denial letter. 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.
Renewals
Yes
Formula Matching Requirements
25% recommended, not required
Uses and Restrictions
(a) Focused low cost internet subscription Outreach. Facilitate the promotion of and increase awareness of and participation in low cost internet among eligible households by: • Expanding and supporting diverse and impactful outreach efforts; • Strengthen outreach partners nationwide by empowering them to mobilize people and organizations to help raise awareness; and • Increase enrollment as a result of Outreach Grant Program funded activities. (b) Broad Digital Navigation. Contribute to the Connect Illinois Statewide Digital Navigator Network by: • Serving as the primary point of contact for community members seeking guidance and support around digital literacy, digital skills building, and home broadband needs; • Providing advice and assistance to community members on the use of digital tools and platforms, including but not limited to, social media, email, and general web use; and • Coaching, training, and guiding residents individually or in group settings on how to use their home internet service to meet their day-to-day needs.
Reports
quarterly reporting using PPR and PFR
Audits
N/A
Records
N/A
Account Identification
324-42035-4900-0022
Obligations
$2,000,000.00
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$0-$100,000
Program Accomplishments
• Identified Project Supervisor from an eligible entity, such as community-based organization • The Project Supervisor must be significantly involved in the project, actively participate in community of practice cohort calls with other grantees, and engage with one or more ongoing outreach opportunities with the Illinois Office of Broadband (e.g. the Broadband READY Program, the Connect Illinois Statewide Digital Navigator Network, the Illinois Digital Equity Coalition, etc.) • Commitment to measuring progress and identifying, refining, and/or applying approaches that are scalable or replicable to meet broader community, regional, or statewide needs
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
N/A
Regional or Local Assistance Location
N/A
Headquarters Office
500 East Monroe Springfield, IL 62701 and 555 W Monroe St, 12th Floor Chicago, IL 60661
Program Website
N/A
Example Projects
N/A
Published Date
Funding By Fiscal Year
FY 2022 : $1
FY 2023 : $2,000,000
FY 2024 : $1
FY 2025 : $1
Federal Funding
None
Notice of Funding Opportunities
Agency IDAward RangeApplication Range
Agency IDGrantee NameStart DateEnd DateAmount
21-433034CONNECTWAUKEGAN NFP04/01/202403/31/2025100,000
24-035010County of McLean12/01/202311/30/202480,000
21-433001Association House of Chicago12/01/202311/30/202450,000
21-433022Women's Business Development Center12/01/202311/30/202450,000
21-433004Chicago Urban League12/01/202311/30/202450,000