- Collaborative Projects
- Regional Approach
- General Questions
- Proposed Activities
- Cost Questions
- GATA Questions
Collaborative Projects
We're a group of organizations and would like to apply for a larger grant, What is the limit for grant amounts?
There is no set limit. Organizations submitting a proposal as a collective must demonstrate that their program is collaborative in nature and must make the case on how they will spend the funds by June 30, 2023. In addition, we will prioritize collaborative projects that reach various communities and regions.
Am I better off applying for $30,000 as an individual organization or as part of a group of three and we apply collectively for $90,000?
An organization does not have better odds of being awarded a grant by applying with a group of nonprofits versus solo. Proposals will be evaluated based on their alignment with the four Healing Illinois funding priorities, organization capacity to implement the proposed project, and project scope and proposed budget.
Can you apply for a grant and also be part of a collaboration in a separate grant?
Yes, but the projects have to be clearly distinct, and the use of funds has to be clearly distinct as well.
In the application if we check no for the question, "Is this a collaborative project?" Can we just put that into the partnership question?
All fields in the application are required. If your proposed project is not a collaborative project, check No and enter "Not applicable" in the partnership question.
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Regional Approach
What do we do in Regions 3 and 4? Do we apply or wait to apply directly through the intermediary?
For now, organizations may apply directly to the Field Foundation. Intermediaries will be named soon.
Can statewide organizations apply for funding to do Healing Illinois work in multiple IDHS regions?
Yes, and we encourage applicants to be very clear about how they intend to reach multiple regions and detailed staffing approach.
Can we find a map that would help show the 5 regions?
Yes, the regional map may be accessed here: Illinois Regional Map.
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General Questions
When are applications due?
Applications are due December 1. However, we have review deadlines which will allow the Healing Illinois team to review applications in batches as they are submitted.
Will provider that received funding through your agency have to provide quarterly report to your agency?
No, sub-grantees will only need to submit a final report. However, the Healing Illinois team will be scheduling random desk expenditure testing between March-April. This gives us an opportunity to check-in with sub-grantees to ensure they are spending funds in accordance with the stipulations in the grant agreement, they have the resources they need, and it will give the team a sense if organizations will be able to spend funds by June 30, 2024.
Are past grant recipients eligible to apply this year?
Absolutely, we encourage previous sub-grant recipients to apply for funding this year.
If you're not successful in October submission, can an organization submit again in November?
No. Unless, it's a new project/proposal idea.
Do you have a sense of how many awards will be funded in Chicago versus other regions in the state?
We are not sure. However, in partnership with IDHS, the Healing Illinois team developed funding allocations per region to ensure equitable distribution of funding throughout the state.
What is the grant size? Range?
Organizations are welcomed to apply for up to $30,000.
Is this a lump sum disbursement?
Yes, organizations awarded a Healing Illinois grant will receive their funding by December 2023.
What is the start date of the grant?
The start date of the grant is November 1, 2023.
Can a public school within a district apply, or does it have to be through the district?
It will vary by school district, but yes, a public school may apply for funding. We encourage schools to get clarity from their school district in seeking funding.
Who is the funder Field Foundation or IDHS?
The funder for Healing Illinois is the Field Foundation of Illinois, who was awarded the $5M Healing Illinois grant from the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS).
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Proposed Activities
For proposals focused on racial healing activities, what support will be provided beyond funding, if any, to ensure the success of these initiatives (i.e. recommended facilitators etc.)
The Healing Illinois team will be providing technical assistance support to sub-grantees throughout the tenure of the grant. We want to ensure all organizations are successful in the implementation of their projects.
For proposals focused on education and training, could the funds be used for materials already purchased (i.e. Justice at Work), or must they be used for new training materials/facilitators/initiatives?
Remember the grant period begins November 1. Organizations may charge expenses against the grant as long as it's connected to the project proposal and meets the date criteria
Can an organization with multiple programs that align to the priorities apply for each program, or only once?
We encourage organizations to submit a comprehensive application rather than submitting multiple applications for each funding priority.
Can the "education and training" work be internal (with staff), or should it all be external (with constituents)?
Both, the work can be internal and/or external.
I read that decisions will be made 10 days after submission, is that still correct?
Yes, organizations will be notified within 10 days after submissions if they've been recommended for funding.
I have a question on this funding if it can be used for immigration crisis. I work near the police station. I know that resources we can provide is very limited.
Funding must be used in alignment with the funding priorities. We encourage organizations to think about the intersection of issues with racial healing and justice work. However, if an organization would like to use the funds to support direct service work, for example, a food pantry - that would not be eligible.
Will art-based projects be considered and given equal importance as any project?
Absolutely. Projects will be evaluated like any other project based on the following criteria:
- Funding priorities
- Community engagement
- Alignment with community needs
- Capacity/Infrastructure to implement proposal
- Budget proposal
- Outcomes
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Cost Questions
Can I include indirect cost?
Yes, up to 10%.
What are allowable costs?
Allowable costs are charges incurred by your organization to support the implementation of a grant award. The Field Foundation follows guidelines stipulated by IDHS; costs must meet the following general criteria to be allowable:
- Be necessary and reasonable for your organization to implement the grant award
- Be allocable to the grant award under the provisions of the applicable cost principles
- Be consistent with policies and procedures that apply uniformly to grant awards and other activities of your organization
- Treat direct and indirect costs consistently
- Be in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)
- Not used to meet the cost sharing or matching requirements of another grant award.
- Be adequately documented
- Incurred during the period performance and consistent with the approved award budget
To learn more visit Allowable Costs page, and to view the Allowable Costs Presentation click here.
Are there any costs that are not allowed as part of this grant?
Typically, unallowable costs include:
- Advertising costs - unless necessary to meet the requirements of the sponsored agreement.
- Alcohol costs - strictly unallowed
- Fundraising costs - including financial campaigns, endowment drives, solicitation of gifts and similar expenses that are typically incurred to raise capital or obtain contributions.
- Insurance costs - insurance to protect against defects in the institution's materials or workmanship are unallowable. Losses which could have been covered by insurance are unalloyed unless expressly allowed by the sponsor.
- Recruiting costs - including wanted advertising, special emoluments, fringe benefits and salary allowances incurred to attract professional personnel from other institutions.
- Selling and marketing costs - only allowable as a direct cost when approved by the awarding agency and deemed necessary for the performance of the award.
- Lobbying costs - strictly unallowed.
To learn more about unallowed costs visit the State of Illinois Code and the Uniform Guidance: Unallowed Costs.
Can we use funding and expenses from before December notification to reimburse ourselves?
Organizations may charge against the grant starting November 1 as long as it's in direct connection with the grant proposal.
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GATA Questions
Where can I search to verify if my is GATA certified?
You can search this information by visiting Search GATA Certifications and type your organization's legal entity name in the text box "Search registered grantees."
If multiple organizations decide to apply together, do they all need to be GATA-certified or only one?
Only the applicant must be GATA certified.
Is there a difference between applying directly to the grant if you are GATA certified or applying with an outside agency ? Does the outside agency receive a part of your funding for admin fees?
Our answer depends on the situation. If an organization is GATA certified and they have a project that aligns with the funding priorities and outcomes of Healing Illinois, then we would imagine organization would want to apply directly to us.
If GATA certification has expired, how long does it take to renew and can you still apply as a certified applicant while renewal is in process?
We are not sure how long the renewal process takes. For more information about GATA please visit GATA Information.
Can our organization apply if our GATA certification is in the renewal process?
Organizations must be GATA certified at the time of application since we do not know how long the GATA certification of renewal process takes. We encourage organizations to apply or submit for renewal as soon as possible in order to meet the December 1 deadline.
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