In response to the housing crisis fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic, the IEJF provides grants to nonprofit organizations delivering free legal help and information to people facing eviction and housing stability. These services are provided through Eviction Help Illinois, a statewide network people can access via phone, text or web chat.
For FY 24, the IEJF is focused on funding organizations that provide services in suburban Cook County and/or downstate counties.
Since its launch in 2020, Eviction Help Illinois has provided services to more than 290,000 Illinoisans.
GRANT ELIGIBILITY
Organizations are eligible to apply for an Eviction Help Illinois grant from the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation if they:
- Are certified and in compliance with the Illinois Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) requirements;
- Have a demonstrated track record in providing legal assistance or mediation services to individuals impacted by housing insecurity;
- Are tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code;
- Provide services to Illinois residents set forth in the “Purposes” section. To determine if a particular project qualifies for a grant, see the specific guidelines for the categories noted above.
- Provide services to low-income people free of charge. Low-income is defined as a household income of up to 80% Area Median Income (AMI) in Chicago for Cook County grantees and 80% Area Median Income (AMI) in Illinois for all other counties. Current AMI can be found here.
- Provide services in downstate counties and/or suburban Cook County. Any funding directed toward Chicago is subject to availability. Grants will not duplicate services funded under Cook County Legal Aid for Housing & Debt or the Chicago Right to Counsel Pilot.
- Completed an up-to-date Organization Assurances (OA) application in our grantmaking software. This OA application needs to include the most current qualities and assurances documents including but not limited to: organizational annual budget, financial statements, audit, board list, etc.
AVAILABLE FUNDING
Funding for this grant has not been finalized as of 5/21/23 due to a delay in the passage of the Illinois state budget. In the event the funds are not included in the state budget as planned, the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation will not be able to proceed with awarding these funds. This funding is designated by the State of Illinois to support eviction response legal and mediation services through the State’s FY 24 fiscal year (July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024). The tentative budget for FY 24 grants is approximately $4,600,000.
IL GRANT FUNDS RECOVERY ACT
Please note these funds are subject to the IL Grant Funds Recovery Act. Please familiarize yourself before submitting an application.
EVICTION HELP ILLINOIS GRANT GUIDELINES FOR FY 24
The Illinois Equal Justice Foundation will make Eviction Help Illinois grants in the following two categories:
KEY DATES
The grant period will be July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024, and the application and review process will follow this schedule:
LIMITATIONS
- Funds provided by the State of Illinois, including funds distributed by the IEJF, may not be spent on a sectarian purpose.
- Said funds may not be used for the purpose of lobbying; encouraging political activities, labor or anti-labor activities, boycotts, picketing, strikes or demonstrations; or investigative or legal compliance activities related to a pending dispute.
- No more than 10% of grants awarded by the IEJF can be used for indirect costs unless the applicant has a higher state/federal negotiated reimbursement rate. Failure to abide by this may jeopardize future funding from the IEJF.
HOW TO APPLY
Application procedures and forms will be available by May 24, 2023. You can apply via the IEJF grantee portal. The “Apply” button on the top left will allow you to select your funding category and apply.
QUESTIONS?
More information on Eviction Help Illinois can be found at evictionhelpillinois.org
For more information about the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation’s grant guidelines and procedures, contact Tyrina Newkirk, Program Officer.
GRANT DISBURSEMENT
Grant payments will be disbursed monthly following receipt of program service and financial reports for actual costs incurred during that preceding month. Payments are dependent on receipt of funds from the State of Illinois. Grantees may request an advance payment for Eviction Help Illinois. The process and approval for advance funds will be determined by IEJF. Subsequent monthly payments will be based on monthly financial invoices to reconcile payments previously advanced.
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Grant reports must be submitted via the IEJF grantee portal.
All grantees must submit monthly program service reports and financial invoices by the following dates for services provided and actual costs incurred in the preceding month.
- August 14, 2023 (for July 2023 services and expenditures)
- September 13, 2023 (for August 2023 services and expenditures)
- October 13 2023 (for September 2021 services and expenditures)
- November 13, 2023 (for October 2023 services and expenditures)
- December 13, 2023 (for November 2023 services and expenditures)
- January 15, 2024 (for December 2023 services and expenditures)
- February 13, 2024 (for January 2024 services and expenditures)
- March 13 2024 (for February 2024 services and expenditures)
- April 15, 2024 (for March 2024 services and expenditures)
- May 14, 2024 (for April 2024 services and expenditures)
- June 13, 2024 (for May 2024 services and expenditures)
- July 15, 2024 (for June 2024 services and expenditures)
Failure to submit reports in a timely manner may jeopardize distribution of grant funds, as well as future IEJF funding.
A detailed final report (including outcomes and demographic information) will be due on or by July 22, 2024.