- Tips for submitting grants
- Meet Requirements of the NOFO
- Focus on Goals and Objectives
- Focus on Project Design
- Acronyms and definitions
Tips for submitting grants
Meet Requirements of the NOFO
- Ensure that your organization meets all eligibility requirements.
- Read through the entire NOFO in detail. Identify the due date and outline a timeline for development of all sections of the application.
- Use the narrative to respond to the required information, and place requested information in the sections as outlined in the NOFO. Answer all parts of every question. Remember, the application must speak for itself; if it's not in the application, the reviewer will not know it. Information must be in the appropriate section as outlined in the NOFO; otherwise, points may not be awarded. Ask a neutral party to review your grant application packet alongside the NOFO
- The grant application packet must adhere to NOFO requirements including page limits. Check, check, and triple-check before submission.
- All components of the NOFO must be submitted before the deadline. Assign appropriate staff to each component of the application and coordinate efforts. SUBMIT EARLY!
- Attend the virtual Technical Assistance sessions if possible. Continue to monitor the Q&A document on your grant's web page as program staff typically add answers to questions as they are received.
Focus on Goals and Objectives
- Address the goals and objectives of the funding opportunity.
- Ensure that goals and objectives are supported by current and relevant data and research.
- Goals and objectives must be clear, concrete, and measurable, and they must support the purpose of the program.
Focus on Project Design
- The grant application packet must demonstrate an understanding of the purpose of the project.
- Program design must address all required components of the NOFO.
- Project design must be effective and efficient for the targeted population
Acronyms and definitions
Acronym/Term |
Definition |
APO |
Agency Procurement Office |
CAAF |
Contract/Agreement Approval Form |
CAO |
Chief Accountability Office(r) |
CFR |
Code of Federal Regulations |
CRV |
Central Repository Vault |
CSA |
Community Services Agreement |
CSFA |
Catalogue of State Financial Assistance |
FAIN |
Federal Award Identification Number |
FEIN |
Federal Employee Identification Number |
FFY |
Federal Fiscal Year |
FOIA |
Freedom of Information Act |
FY |
Fiscal Year |
GATA |
Grant Accountability and Transparency Act |
GATU |
Grant Accountability Transparency Unit |
GOMB |
Governor's Office of Management and Budget |
ICQ |
Internal Controls Questionnaire |
IOC |
Illinois Office of the Comptroller |
MBR |
Merit Based Review |
NOFO |
Notice of Funding Opportunity |
NOSA |
Notice of State Award |
PRA |
Programmatic Risk Assessment |
Pre-Award |
Tasks the grantee must complete prior to receiving a grant |
Pre-Qualification |
Tasks the grantee must complete prior to applying for a grant |
Program Area/Office |
Work units within IDHS that administer grants/programs - i.e. housing, food, violence, children & youth services, etc. |
SAM |
System for Award Management |
SFY |
State Fiscal Year |
SOS |
Secretary of State |
TIN |
Tax Identification Number |
UGA |
Uniform Grant Agreement |
UIGA |
Uniform Intergovernmental Grant Agreement |
UEI |
Unique Entity Identifier |
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