FY 2026 NOFO ANNOUNCMENT & APPLICATION

Issued by: Northern Illinois Recovery Community Organization (NIRCO)
Funding Source: Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS)
Service Area: Illinois 60th House District – Lake County
Total Awards Available: Four (4)

Application Deadline: February 15, 2026

Award Period: FY26 July 1, 2025 thru June 30, 2027

Notification of Award Date: March 5, 2026

PURPOSE OF FUNDING

The Northern Illinois Recovery Community Organization (NIRCO) is soliciting proposals from qualified community-based organizations to implement programs that address critical community needs related to food security, youth development, workforce readiness, and health equity within the 60th Illinois House District of Lake County. NIRCO will serve as the administrative entity for these sub-grant awards. All sub-grantee program narratives, budgets, and performance measures are subject to review and final approval by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) prior to contract execution. Funding will support culturally responsive, equity-driven programs that demonstrate measurable outcomes and sustainable community impact.

FUNDING DETAILS & USE OF FUNDS

Total Funding Available

NIRCO anticipates making four (4) sub-grant awards, subject to IDHS approval:

Food Pantry Initiative: $200,000
After-School Youth Program: $275,000
Job Club / Workforce Program: $275,000
Mobile Health Outreach Program: $275,000

Applicants must submit a program budget that aligns exactly with the award amount for the selected category.

For additional details, please review the complete NOFO announcement here.

To apply, complete the online application below.

NIRCO Sub-Grant Application

Illinois 60th House District – Lake County

Incomplete applications or applications missing required attachments may not be reviewed.

SECTION 1: ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION

Legal Organization Name

DBA (if applicable)

EIN

Organization Address

Executive Director Name

Executive Director Email

Fiscal Contact Name

Fiscal Contact Email

Years in Operation

I confirm services are provided within the 60th Illinois House District (Lake County)

SECTION 2: FUNDING CATEGORY (Select One)

Funding Category

Food Pantry & Cultural Preservation Initiative

After-School Program for Justice-Impacted & High-Risk Youth

Job Club / Youth Workforce Training & Development Program

Mobile Health Outreach – Asthma Equity Initiative

SECTION 3: PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Describe the proposed program, including core activities, services to be provided, frequency of services, and how the program will operate during the grant period.

SECTION 4: TARGET POPULATION & COMMUNITY NEED

Describe the populations to be served and the specific community your program addresses within the 60th Illinois House District of Lake County.

SECTION 5: EQUITY & COMMUNITY IMPACT

Explain how your program is culturally responsive, equity-focused, and informed by community needs or lived experience.

SECTION 6: OUTCOMES & PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Identify at least three (3) measurable outcomes for the proposed program and describe how progress will be tracked, measured, and reported during the grant period.

Estimated Number of Individuals Served

SECTION 7: PARTNERSHIPS & COLLABORATION

Describe key partnerships that support program implementation and explain each partner's role in program delivery or outcomes.

SECTION 8: ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY & EXPERIENCE

Describe your organization's experience delivering similar services and managing state or federally funded grants.

SECTION 9: PROGRAM SUSTAINABILITY

Describe how the program will be sustained beyond the grant period, including future funding strategies or integration into existing services.

SECTION 10: FINANCIAL CAPACITY & REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Applicants must upload all of the following:

Organizational Operating Budget (most recent fiscal year)

Board-approved if available

Proposed Program Line-Item Budget

Program Budget Narrative

Most Recent Financial Statement

Please upload one of the following:

Audited financial statements, or
Reviewed financials, or
Internal year-end financial report (P&L and/or balance sheet)

Organizations without audited financials will not be disqualified.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT NARRATIVE

Describe your organization’s financial management systems and internal controls, including who is responsible for fiscal oversight and grant compliance.

SECTION 11: CERTIFICATIONS & ASSURANCES

All information and documents submitted are accurate and current

The organization has systems in place to manage state-funded grants

The organization agrees to comply with IDHS fiscal, reporting, and monitoring requirements

Sub-grant awards are contingent upon IDHS review and approval of budgets, narratives, and performance measures

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