Opportunity Information
CSFA Number
402-03-3188
Title
FY27 Rural Support
Description
The Connecting Rural Older Illinoisans Grant opportunity directs funds to organizations to address rural area specific service issues, including transportation, technology, volunteer force development, and workforce development, that create barriers to older adults meeting their full potential.
Awarding Agency Name
Aging
Agency Contact Name
Chuck Miller
Agency Contact Phone
217-558-2101
Agency Contact Email
chuck.miller@illinois.gov
Category Explanation
The Rural Support Older Illinoisans Grant funds are to be used for one of the following activities:
• Develop and fund a stop-gap transportation program that will mitigate barriers to accessing programs and services leading to quality health outcomes and a reduction in social isolation and loneliness.
• Increase access to broadband and internet for older adults to partner with technology and virtual programs provided through Title III.
• Increase community connectivity through increasing the number of volunteers in the aging network. Activities can include outreach, recruitment, volunteer training, and/or volunteer recognition activities.
• Improve workforce recruitment and retention within the aging network. Activities can include increasing financial compensation (salary, bonuses), increasing training opportunities, and facilitating employee recognition.
The exact nature of the activities and the staff time required for the activities will vary based on identified community needs and priorities. AAAs may conduct the activities and opportunities through direct provision, partnership and/or contract with another organization, or utilization of a combination of the above.
Opportunity Manager
Theresa McKeon
Additional Users
Posted Date
Announcement Type
Initial Announcement
Public Link
Is Published
Yes
Funding Information
Opportunity Funding
$800,000.00
Funding Sources
State
Funding Source Description
The funding opportunity utilizes state dollars.
Funding Restrictions
Funding shall be used exclusively for Rural Support Older Illinoisans Grant activities.
Award Information
Award Start Date
Award End Date
Award Announcement Date
Award Type
Competitive
Expected Number of Awards
9
Restrictions on Indirect Costs
Yes
Submission Information
Submission Timeline Type
One Time
Submission Open Date
Submission Close Date
Submission Timeline Additional Information
Submissions must be received by time and date, via Amplifund. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure the application is received timely. Submissions received after this date and time shall not be considered or evaluated for award.
For the purposes of this funding opportunity, "received" shall be defined as submission of a complete application and budget via Amplifund.
Application Review Start Date / Pre-Qualification Deadline
Other Submission Requirements
Applications submitted must include narrative description of how all aspects of the requirements shall be met by the grantee.
Submission shall include:
Uniform State Grant Application
Project Narrative
Budget using the Uniform Budget Template
Budget Narrative (included in Uniform Budget Template)
Project Narrative shall be no more than seven (7) pages in length, 12 type-font, either Calibri or Arial. Narrative shall address each of the activity requirements listed for each of the objectives for this funding.
A logic model with or without a Gannt chart is recommended to be included in the Program Design exhibit. Any logic model and/or related visual charts do not count towards the narrative page limit. Note: The W.K. Kellogg Foundation Logic Model Development Guide provides comprehensive information and tools to create program logic models. The guide can be accessed at the following link: Logic Model Development Guide (issuelab.org)
Submissions must include the details on the activities the agency will complete for the project to meet the objectives for the funding.
The narrative should provide a comprehensive overview of the proposed project, including, but not limited to:
i. Rationale for how and why the activity area (transportation, internet, volunteer, workforce) was chosen for the specific Planning and Service Area;
ii. Description of how the agency will increase public awareness and understanding of the topic area and services and resources, including the proposed project;
iii. Description of how the agency will collaborate with public, private, not-for-profit, and/or healthcare sectors to better serve older adults and needs in the activity area;
iv. Detailed description of the planning, program development, coordination, and service activities that will be conducted for the project;
v. Projected goals, performance measures, and units of service that will be completed throughout the grant period.
The narrative will need to include the frameworks, approaches, and activities that will be implemented to work towards the elimination of the disparities experienced by vulnerable and/or marginalized populations. Information that should be included to address this objective include:
i. Basic demographic information of the areas impacted by the project, including the estimated number residents meeting the following criteria: 60+ population, 60+ poverty, 60+ minority, 75+ population, 60+ living alone, and 60+ rural.
ii. Description of how members of vulnerable and/or underserved populations will be included in the program and/or services design, development, and implementation. Additionally, include how will organization ensure the input received from these members is reflected in the initiative activities.
iii. Discuss the plan to monitor and/or evaluate the programs and/or services to ensure equitable impacts and outcomes in the short-term and the long-term. Include equity-focused benchmarks and/or key performance indicators that will be utilized in project monitoring and/or evaluation.
The budget should be drafted using the Uniform Budget Template included with the award opportunity in Amplifund. All funded line items on the budget template must include a narrative description and/or justification. Do not complete the “Non-Grant Funding” section of the budget template, as this section is not applicable to this funding opportunity.
Question Submission Information
Question Submission Open Date
Question Submission Close Date
Question Submission Email Address
Question Submission Additional Information
Questions regarding the NOFO must be made to:
Matt Rousey
matthew.rousey2@illinois.gov
217-524-7944
All questions regarding the NOFO will be shared as part of a public Q&A.
Eligibility Information
Eligibility Type
Public
Eligible Applicants
Nonprofit Organizations
Additional Eligibility Information
Applicant Eligibility: To be considered eligible for funding under this application, applicants must:
1. Be designated as an Area Agency on Aging by the State of Illinois;
2. Serving a rural population (PSA is not associated with a Metropolitan Statistical Area
(MSA) as designated by the White House Office of Management and Budget);
3. Have an Affirmative Action Plan for staff regardless of the composition of the
community;
4. Comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964;
5. Comply with the financial and programmatic reporting requirements set forth for this
program on a regular and timely basis (quarterly program progress reports and fiscal
reports are due to IDoA 30 days following the end of each quarter);
6. Hire appropriate staff and provide adequate supervision;
7. Include appropriate staff in orientation, training, and other meetings scheduled by
the IDoA for this program; and
8. Permit access to program operations and records to IDoA staff for evaluation and
monitoring purposes.
Failure to comply with any of the “Applicant Requirements” during the program year can result in denial or discontinuation of funding for this program.
Beneficiary Eligibility: Older Adults, Caregivers
Credentials Documentation: Applicants are required to:
- Be registered in SAM prior to submitting the application;
- Provide a valid DUNS number in the application; and
- Continue to always maintain an active SAM registration with current information during
the time for which it has an active Federal, Federal pass-through, or State award or an
application or plan under consideration by a Federal or State awarding agency.
The State awarding agency may not make a Federal pass through or State award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable DUNS and SAM requirements and, if an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the State awarding agency is ready to make a Federal pass-through or State award, the State awarding agency may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal pass-through or State award and use that determination as a basis for making a Federal pass-through or State award to another applicant.
Additional Information
Additional Information URL Description
Note: While the Illinois Department on Aging does not fund nor specifically endorse any of the following organizations, the resources shared below may be beneficial in developing the project and action plan.
Transportation: The National Aging and Disability Transportation provides resources, materials, and trainings regarding focusing on serving the older adult and adults with disabilities populations. The following link will lead you to their webpage focusing on rural transportation and the specific challenges and service opportunities in rural areas: https://www.nadtc.org/rural-transportation/.
Internet: The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity oversees the Connect Illinois program that seeks statewide broadband access and increased digital literacy and usage for residents. The website can be accessed at the following link: https://dceo.illinois.gov/broadband/connect-il-bead.html.
Volunteer Support: The National Resource Center for Engaging Older Adults offers volunteer toolkits, as well as additional resources, research, and publications focusing on building, maintaining, and supporting volunteers. The Volunteer Toolkit can be obtained at: www.engagingolderadults.org/volunteer-toolkits.
Workforce: LeadingAge facilitates information sharing and advocacy related to aging services workforce-related challenges. The landing page for the workforce related topics can be found at the following link: https://leadingage.org/topic/workforce/.
Potential resources to support addressing the needs and priorities of underserved and diverse populations include the Disrupting Disparities: Challenges & Solutions for 50+ Illinoisans of Color report: final-aarp-disrupt-disparities-report.pdf (brightspotcdn.com) and the Disrupting Disparities: Solutions for 50+ LGBTQ+ Illinoisans report.
Award Administration Information
State Award Notices
A Notice of State Award (NOSA) shall be sent to each successful applicant using the GATA web portal. A Uniform Grant Agreement shall be sent to the Grantee once the awarded entity has signed the NOSA. The NOSA shall include estimated project start date, as well as any programmatic and financial special conditions.
Administrative and National Policy Requirements
The NOSAs shall include all necessary information regarding terms, conditions, and additional requirements of the resulting grants.
Reporting
Grantees shall be required to submit financial and programmatic reports, which shall minimally include number of persons served and units of service provided as defined in Exhibit D, for the following reporting periods:
• October 31, 2026, for activities that occurred from July 1, 2026 - September 30, 2026.
• January 31, 2027, for activities that occurred from October 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026.
• April 30, 2027, for activities that occurred from January 1, 2027, through March 31, 2027.
• July 31, 2027, for activities that occurred from April 1, 2027, through June 30, 2027.
Reports should be emailed to grantee’s assigned Regional Coordinator, Aging.OAS@illinois.gov, and Aging.fiscal@illinois.gov.
State Awarding Agency Contacts
Questions regarding this NOFO shall be made to:
Matt Rousey
Illinois Department on Aging
One Natural Resources Way, Suite 100
Springfield, IL 62702-1271
217-524-7944 (office)
matthew.rousey2@illinois.gov
Other Information
The Department reserves the right to award to all, some, or none of the applicant entities for this funding opportunity.
Agreements are contingent upon and subject to the availability of sufficient funds. Grantor may terminate or suspend the Agreements, in whole or in part, without penalty or further payment being required, if
I. Sufficient funds for the Agreements have not been appropriated or otherwise made available to the Grantor by the State or Federal funding source;
II. The Governor or Grantor reserves funds; or
III. The Governor or Grantor determines that funds will not or may not be available for payment.
Grantor shall provide notice, in writing, to Grantee of any such funding failure and its election to terminate or suspend the Agreement as soon as practicable. Any suspension or termination pursuant to this Section will be effective upon the date of the written notice unless otherwise indicated.
Criteria
Applications shall be evaluated on a 126-point total scale. Sections of the application are valued as follows:
Narrative- 81 points
Proposal must include the details on the activities the agency will complete for the project to meet the objectives for the funding. The narrative should provide a comprehensive overview of the proposed project including, but not limited to:
- Rationale for how and why the activity area (transportation, internet, volunteer, workforce) was chosen for the specific Planning and Service Area;
- Description of how the agency will increase public awareness and understanding of the topic area and services and resources, including the proposed project;
- Description of how the agency will collaborate with public, private, not-for-profit, and/or healthcare sectors to better serve older adults and needs in the activity area;
- Detailed description of the planning, program development, coordination, and service activities that will be conducted for the project;
The narrative will need to include the frameworks, approaches, and activities that will be implemented to work towards the elimination of the disparities experienced by vulnerable and/or marginalized populations. Information that should be included to address this objective include:
- Basic demographic information of the areas impacted by the project, including the estimated number residents meeting the following criteria: 60+ population, 60+ poverty, 60+ minority, 75+ population, 60+ living alone, and 60+ rural.
- Description of how members of vulnerable and/or underserved populations will be included in the program and/or services design, development, and implementation. Additionally, include how will organization ensure the input received from these members is reflected in the initiative activities.
- Discuss the plan to monitor and/or evaluate the programs and/or services to ensure equitable impacts and outcomes in the short-term and the long-term. Include equity-focused benchmarks and/or key performance indicators that will be utilized in project monitoring and/or evaluation.
Budget and Budget Narrative- 45 points
- Submit an accurate and complete budget utilizing the Uniform Budget Template.
- Provide a budget narrative addressing each expense listed on the budget template and how the expense will be utilized to complete the action plan set in the program narrative.
Review and Selection Process
A review panel of at least three (3) individuals will evaluate applications that pass the screening and meet the responsiveness criteria. These reviewers are experts in their field and are drawn from the current Illinois Department on Aging staff. Based on the application review criteria, the reviewers will comment on and score the applications, focusing their comments and scoring decisions on the identified criteria.
Final award decisions will be made based upon the point system detailed in the Criteria section above. In making these decisions, Older American Services Supervisor will take into consideration recommendations of the review, of reviews from programmatic and grants management compliance, and the likelihood the proposed project will result in the benefits expected.
Upon completion of this process, should there be an area that would remain unserved, the Department reserves the right to award, as appropriate, to ensure adequate services and programmatic needs are met.
A Notice of State Award shall be sent to each successful applicant. A Uniform Grant Agreement shall be sent to the Grantee following receipt of the Grantee Accepted Notice of State Award.
Evaluation scores may not be appealed. Only the evaluation process is subject to appeal. Appeals must be in writing in accordance with the grant application document. Written appeals must, at a minimum, include the following:
- Name and address of appealing party;
- Identification of the grant; and
- A statement of reasons for the appeal.
Appeals must be sent to:
Illinois Department on Aging
Office of the General Counsel
One Natural Resources Way, Suite 100
Springfield, IL 62702-1271
Anticipated Announcement Dates
A Notice of State Award (NOSA) shall be sent to each successful applicant using the GATA web portal. A Uniform Grant Agreement shall be sent to the Grantee once the awarded entity has signed the NOSA. The NOSA shall include estimated project start date, as well as any programmatic and financial special conditions.