Illinois IDHS FY2027 RPSA Violence Prevention Services Grant (Anticipated $575,000; December 1 Deadline)

Illinois FY2027 RPSA Violence Prevention Services (VPS)

The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), Division of Family and Community Services, is accepting competitive applications under funding opportunity 27-444-80-3422-02 (CSFA 444-80-3422). The award is state financial assistance for community-based violence prevention, not a procurement contract. Separate service areas are South Shore in Chicago, Rockford, and Danville.

Funding and dates

IDHS anticipates approximately $575,000 for each individual award, with approximately one award in each of the three service areas. The $1,725,000 total is the combined program funding pool, not an individual award. No applicant matching funds are required. The expected grant term is January 1 through December 31, 2027, without renewal, subject to appropriation.

Full applications must be received by December 1, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. CST. Under the revised notice, written questions are due November 20, with official questions and answers expected by November 24. Applicants should review any amendments and official Q&A before submitting.

Who is eligible

Under the revised IDHS notice, eligible direct applicants include qualifying public or private nonprofit community-based organizations, units of local government, and Level One Trauma Centers proposing services in South Shore (Chicago), Rockford, or Danville. Applicants must satisfy the NOFO-specific organizational, service-area, and experience requirements. Organizations already funded as grantees or subgrantees under IDHS Violence Prevention NOFO 25-444-80-3422 for the same eligible service area are excluded. Eligible applicants need at least three years of verifiable experience delivering all three required violence-prevention components, verified in a board-signed attestation, and at least two distinct qualifying community relationship letters from different stakeholder categories. Prequalification in Illinois GATA, active SAM.gov registration and UEI, and applicable organizational good standing are required.

Funded services and restrictions

Programs must deliver street outreach, case management, and victim advocacy and services to individuals at highest risk of firearm violence. Costs must be necessary, allocable, and compliant with the official grant budget and cost principles. Pre-award expenditures are not allowed. Without specific prior written IDHS approval, restricted costs include entertainment, capital equipment and vehicles, improvements to property, out-of-state travel, deposits, and clinical behavioral health services. Approved indirect rates may be used; eligible organizations may elect a 15% de minimis rate subject to the notice’s conditions. Subrecipient agreements and budgets require IDHS preapproval.

How to apply

Submit the signed Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance, proposal narrative, required capacity and community letters, organization documents, conflict-of-interest disclosure, and budget documents. Enter and submit the Uniform Grant Budget in the IDHS CSA system by the deadline. The proposal narrative is limited to 20 single-spaced pages, excluding specified attachments. Email the complete proposal to DHS.ViolencePreventionServices@illinois.gov, with subject line containing 27-444-80-3422-02 and the organization name. IDHS requests a single PDF where possible or a ZIP package; external file links are not accepted.

Official sources

Illinois GATA official opportunity listing and updated 60-page funding notice and instructions. Updated official funding notice and agency guidance checked November 4, 2026; later amendments and official Q&A may supersede these details.