The Illinois Equal Justice Foundation (IEJF) is a not-for-profit corporation established in 1999, pursuant to the Illinois Equal Justice Act. The IEJF supports initiatives to increase Illinois residents’ access to the legal system. The IEJF provides grants to nonprofit legal aid providers through three state appropriations housed in the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, COVID-19-related eviction funding through the IL Department of Human Services and COVID-19-related federal funding through the Illinois Housing Developmemt Authority (IHDA).
This funding is designated by the State of Illinois to support domestic violence prevention through a portion of the State’s FY 25 fiscal year (October 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025). IEJF has been charged with distributing grant funding to nonprofit organizations to assist survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence through civil legal services and legal information. This current round of funding has been provided by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS).
GRANT ELIGIBILITY
Organizations are eligible to apply for a 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 legal information services to individuals impacted by domestic violence;
- Are tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code;
- Provide services to Illinois residents in one or more of the three areas set forth in the “Purposes” section. To determine if a particular project qualifies for a grant, see the specific guidelines for each of the three categories noted above.
- Provide services to low-income people free of charge or on a sliding scale based on income. Low-income is defined as a household income of up to 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. Applicants who charge fees for their legal services are required to provide the IEJF with a copy of their fee schedule. However, legal information for the public, and self-help legal assistance must be provided free of charge.
AVAILABLE FUNDING
IEJF was awarded $1,500,000 for Enhanced Domestic Violence Services this year. The FY 25 grant budget will be approximately $1,380,000. This is a reimbursable grant through IDHS and all awardees must be GATA-certified and in good standing with the State of Illinois.
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.
FY 25 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LEGAL SERVICES GRANT GUIDELINES
The Illinois Equal Justice Foundation will make grants in three categories:
An organization may apply for funds in more than one category. Organizations seeking support for more than one of the three purposes must submit a separate application for each category.
KEY DATES
The grant period will be October 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025, and the application and review process will follow this schedule:
LIMITATIONS
- Funds appropriated 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.
- A recipient may not use funds received under the Illinois Equal Justice Act to file an individual action or class action under the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act or other labor laws.
- No more than 15% of grants awarded by the IEJF can be used for indirect costs unless the applicant has a higher state/federal negotiated reimbursement rate. Applicants will be asked to provide a copy of NICRA if over 15%.
HOW TO APPLY
Application procedures and forms will be available by October 18, 2024 at www.iejf.org under the Grants tab. From there you can login to the grant portal. The “Apply” button on the top left will allow you to select your funding category and apply.
Applications must be submitted electronically by November 4, 2024.
QUESTIONS?
For more information about the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation’s grant guidelines and procedures, contact Tyrina Newkirk Sutton, Program Officer. You can also contact Ms. Newkirk via phone at 312-481-6053
To learn more about the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation, please see www.iejf.org.
GRANT DISBURSEMENT
Grant payments will be disbursed quarterly following receipt of program service and financial reports for actual costs incurred during that preceding quarter. Payments are dependent on receipt of funds from the State of Illinois.
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Grant reports are also submitted via the online portal.
All grantees must submit quarterly program service reports and financial invoices by the following dates for services provided and actual costs incurred in the preceding quarter.
- January 8, 2025 (for October – December 2024 services and expenditures)
- April 8, 2025 (for January – March 2025 services and expenditures)
- July 8, 2025 (for April – June 2025 services and expenditures)
A detailed final report (including outcomes and demographic information) will be due on or by July 22, 2025. Please note that these dates are subject to change if guidance from the IDHS changes.