Question and Answers: Illinois Welcoming Center (24-444-80-1493)

  1. Question: Can legal service organizations receive funding under this NOFO?
    • Answer: Yes, legal service providers can apply. 
  2. Question: What is the expected grant period under this new NOFO? 
    • Answer: September 1, 2023- June 30, 2024
  3. Question: When can we get access to the application and start applying? 
    • Answer: The application is available 7/14/23 through 8/14/23 via the NOFO on the IDHS website and/or the Illinois Catalog of State Financial Assistance.
  4. Question: Will we receive this document via email? 
    • Answer: The NOFO will not be sent via email.
  5. Question: Would it be possible to get a copy of the IWC program guide you mentioned? 
    • Answer: The program guide will be made available to the recipients of the grant.
    • All information discussed in the Mandatory- FY24 IWC NOFO session for One-Stop Welcoming Center and supporting documents such as program narratives are available online.
  6. Question: Are recent arrivals from Venezuela considered an emerging population?
    • Answer: Yes, they are.
  7. Question: Which version of Charity Tracker is required?
    • Answer: There are three tiers, IWC grantees are required to use Charity Tracker PLUS.
  8. Question: Does IDHS have a negotiated rate with Charity Tracker?
    • Answer: Monthly fee per user; is $40.00 per account.
  9. Question: What is the recommended budget for Charity Tracker multi-user account?
    • Answer: We do approve multiple accounts. More than one account is required for coverage purposes.
  10. Question: Will comprehensive training be available for set-up and data entry?
    • Answer: Training will be available for new users from (I.T.)-the developers at Charity Tracker and with IDHS team.
  11. Question: Will the grant, if awarded, be eligible for renewal up to 2 additional years?
    • Answer: No. There will be a competitive NOFO for the IWCs for FY25. 
  12. Question: Is there TA for CSA or a specific individual to contact?
    • Answer: The NOFO contains a link that will direct applicants to the CSA guide. Errors will be addressed via DHS.BRIS@Illinois.gov and be screened and answered as they are received.
  13. Question: Should the full application be submitted via PDF as a single portfolio, and is there a narrative page limit?
    • Answer: PDF is a requirement. If all possible it will greatly be appreciated to combine into single portfolio or name each individual attachment with a tittle to organize and identify easier.
  14. Question: Is the Equity and Racial Justice Plan replacing the formal linguistic and cultural competency plan or are both formal plans required?
    • Answer: It is not replacing the plan. They are both required.
  15. Question: Can individual agencies apply by themselves?
    • Answer: Yes, they can.
  16. Question: Can IDHS confirm the FY24 IWC organizations?
    • Answer: List of current grantees is being updated and will be available online shortly.
  17. Question: Does the budget template serve as the section for the budget and costs justification section of the narrative? Or does there need to be a separate written narrative from the template itself?
    • Answer: There does not need to be a separate written narrative for the budget aside from the template itself.
  18. Question: Are community navigator positions a requirement for organizations applying this grant?
    • Answer: No, this category is optional.
  19. Question: Would the micro event model work to provide the welcoming center services, or does the welcoming center have to be an actual location where immigrant community members can walk in during the week to get the services that they need?
    • Answer: A Welcoming Center requires a physical space where individuals can walk-in to receive services. Welcoming Centers can conduct outreach events such as "micro events."
  20. Question: What is the likelihood that funds will be available after June 2024 for newly-formed Welcoming Centers funded through this 9-month grant cycle?
    • Answer: There will be a competitive NOFO for IWC funding for FY25 (after June 30, 2024).
  21. Question: Can an organization seek IWC funding under this NOFO only including legal services and outreach deliverables?
    • Answer: An applicant's program narrative will be reviewed and scored based on the deliverables and performance measures detailed in the NOFO.
  22. Question: Is a vehicle an allowable expense under the IWC program grant?
    • Answer: No, we cannot approve a vehicle due to depreciation costs.