Illinois Racing Board Charity Grant

Illinois Racing Board Charity Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Illinois Racing Board
Amount: Up to US $767,193
Last Updated: October 07, 2024

Summary

The Illinois Racing Board Charity Grant provides essential Wellness Services to individuals working or residing at Illinois' pari-mutuel race tracks. With over $26 million allocated over 30 years, the program ensures access to medical, dental, and counseling services. For 2024, approximately $767,193 is available for grants, supporting non-profit organizations that can demonstrate a commitment to the well-being of backstretch residents. Eligible applicants must meet specific requirements, including prior IRS approval and a solid project plan.

Overview

Note: A non-profit organization may apply for a grant but will not be eligible for a grant award until the entity has pre-qualified through the GATA Grantee Portal. During the open application period, a pre-qualification verification is performed in the GATA Implementation Website, this includes checking SAM.gov registration, Illinois Secretary of State standing, and status on Illinois Stop Payment List. The GATA Portal will indicate a “Good Standing” status or state the issue and steps on how to achieve “Good Standing”. Illinois Racing Board Charity Grant For more than 30 years, the Illinois Racing Board Charity Fund Program has provided more than $26 million for medical, dental, family, counseling, and other services (“Wellness Services”) to persons who reside or work on the backstretch of Illinois’ pari-mutuel race tracks. The State of Illinois’ Illinois Racing Board (“IRB”) is the only racing jurisdiction in the United States that has this type of program. Specifically, Section 31.1 of the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975 (“Racing Act”) requires organization licensees (a/k/a race tracks) collectively to contribute annually to charity the sum of $750,000 to non-profit organizations that provide Wellness Services to persons who reside or work on the backstretch of Illinois’ pari-mutuel race tracks. Workers care for the wellbeing of the equine athletes participating in the live race meets. OBJECTIVES & GOALS To provide Wellness Services on site at all Illinois pari-mutuel race tracks to fulfill the needs of the persons who reside or work on the backstretch of Illinois’ pari-mutuel race tracks. To maximize the overall number of backstretch residents and workers being treated and provided Wellness Services while limiting non-treatment expenses. To assist backstretch residents and workers in receiving timely, adequate, and necessary Wellness Services to continue employment on the backstretch with the least amount of inconvenience and disruption to such persons and Illinois horse racing. FUNDING INFORMATION The IRB Charity Fund Program is a state-funded program [230 ILCS 5/31.1]. For calendar year 2024, the IRB anticipates the availability of approximately $767,193 in total funds. The anticipated number of State awards will be one (1), with average awards ranging from $0 to $767,193.40. The grant period will begin January 1, 2024, and will end on December 31, 2024; provided, however, the IRB may include 2 “one-year” renewal terms and execution of a new Uniform State Grant Agreement for each renewal term. The release of this NOFO does not obligate the IRB to make an award. Services may not be provided until a Uniform State Grant Agreement is fully executed. All grants are subject to the terms of the Illinois Grant Funds Recovery Act [30 ILCS 705]. The grant program may provide up to a maximum of 100% funding assistance on total approved project costs. No IRB Charity Fund Program funds shall be used for construction that is not an expansion of an already existing program facility or included in applicant’s application; provided, however, prior written approval of the IRB is required for any capital construction expenditures. Rules and regulations are enforced limiting the use of funds for their intended purpose of the program via audit, reporting, on-site reviews, and monitored on a quarterly basis. Specific contract deliverables and expenditures of grant funds shall also adhere to the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (“Uniform Guidance”), Title 2 CFR 200, as applicable. Although this program is not funded through federal funds, the State of Illinois has adopted the Uniform Guidance as the standard for funds distributed through State of Illinois agencies. Applicant must submit a project plan which supports the level of funding and details how the award will be executed by the applicant. The project plan must include necessary detail to enable the IRB to manage the grant agreement activity against planned project performance.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. ALLOWABLE EXPENDITURES Grant assistance may be obtained for, including, but not limited to, the following items to provide Wellness Services to the backstretch residents and workers at Illinois’ pari-mutuel race tracks: Contract labor: a. physicians b. dentists c. nurses d. counselorse. other (i.e. caseworkers, social workers)Laboratory fees Information technology expenses Essential office equipment and supplies Facility lease arrangements Administrative expenses: Gross salaries paid to agency employees directly involved in the provision of program services. All salaries to be provided as in-kind shall be documented and noted on the budget sheet as such. Employer's portion of fringe benefits paid on behalf of direct services employees. Examples include FICA (Social Security), life/health insurance, workers' compensation insurance, unemployment insurance, and pension/retirement benefits. banking legal fees accounting fees insurance other (i.e. taxes, telephone, postage, maintenance)Programs designed to improve the wellness and quality of life of backstretch workers: Socialaddiction and domestic violence counseling educational needs of backstretch residents Medical programs (i.e. immunizations, screenings, physicals) Religious services Immigration Outreach Youth sports Holiday events MiscellaneousELIGIBLE APPLICANTSNon-profit organizations that provide Wellness Services to persons who reside or work on the backstretch of Illinois’ pari-mutuel race tracks. A statement of the applicant’s charitable purposes and the nature of the activities engaged in by the applicant must be provided. Include a copy of the applicant’s non-profit IRS ruling and a copy of a letter from the Illinois Attorney General’s Charitable Trust Division confirming that the applicant is current in the filing of its financial reports with the Charitable Trusts Division for the most recent fiscal year. Include the Charitable Trust Organization number. Annually, the IRB awards these funds in the form of a grant to one or more applicants that help address the needs of backstretch residents and workers at Illinois’ pari-mutuel race tracks, including, but not limited to the following:Medical Dental Family Counseling Social and other wellness services Coordination of school services and transportation for the children residing on the backstretch Additional benefitsAdditional Eligibility Information Non-profit organizations that can provide Wellness Services to persons who reside or work on the backstretch of Illinois’ pari-mutuel race tracks are the only organizations eligible for grants under this program. To support the non-profit eligibility, include a copy of the applicant’s non-profit IRS ruling or a copy of a letter from the Illinois Attorney General’s Charitable Trust Division confirming that the applicant is current in the filing of its financial reports with the Charitable Trusts Division for the most recent fiscal year. Include the Charitable Trust Organization number.Applicants are also required to submit a financial and administrative risk assessment utilizing an Internal Controls Questionnaire (ICQ) for state fiscal year 24 before the execution of the grant agreement and obtain approval from their granting agency before execution of the grant agreement. Delay in obtaining ICQ approval will result in a delay in grant execution. An applicant’s failure to meet the eligibility criterion by the time of the application deadline will result in the IRB returning the application without review or, if reviewed, may preclude the IRB from making a state award to such applicant.INDIRECT COST RATES REQUIREMENTSIn order to charge indirect costs to a grant, the applicant organization must have an annually negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (“NICRA”). There are three types of NICRAs: Federally Negotiated Rate -Organizations that receive direct federal funding may have an indirect cost rate that was negotiated with the Federal Cognizant Agency. Illinois will accept the federally negotiated rate. The organization must provide a copy of the Federally NICRA. State Negotiated Rate – The organization must negotiate an indirect cost rate with the State of Illinois if it does not have a Federally NICRA or the organization may elect to use the De Minimis Rate. If an organization has not previously established an indirect cost rate, an indirect cost rate proposal must be submitted to the State of Illinois through the indirect cost rate system, CARS, no later than three months after the effective date of the award. If an organization previously established an indirect cost rate, the organization must annually submit a new indirect cost rate proposal through CARS within six months after the close of the grantee’s fiscal year. All grantees must complete an indirect cost rate negotiation or elect the de minimis Rate in CARS to claim indirect costs. Indirect costs claimed without an established negotiated rate or a de minimis rate election in CARS may be subject to disallowance. De Minimis Rate – An organization that has never received a Federally NICRA may elect a de minimis rate of 10% of modified direct costs (“MTDC”). Once established, the de minimis rate may be used indefinitely. The State of Illinois must verify the calculation of the MTDC annually in order to accept the de minimis rate.

Ineligibility

PROHIBITED EXPENDITURES Grant assistance may not be obtained for, including but not limited to, the following prohibited expenditures: Costs for which grant funding is sought cannot be incurred by the applicant until after grant approval notification. Costs incurred prior to IRB approval are ineligible for grant assistance or reimbursement. Property acquired or developed with program grant assistance may not be converted to a use other than as provided by the terms of the grant agreement without prior IRB written approval. Political contributions, charitable donations, or legislative lobbying expenses. Expenses or costs related to employee litigation or other legal costs. Out-of-state travel costs without prior IRB written approval. Membership fees without prior IRB written approval. Alcoholic beverages, gratuities, or entertainment. Fines, penalties, damages, and other settlements. Bad debts. Advertising and public relations, except for outreach efforts to increase participation. Organizational selling or marketing costs. Memberships, Subscriptions, and Professional Activity. Any expenditure that may create a conflict of interest or the perception of impropriety or that is considered personal in nature. Costs for which no adequate supporting documentation exists or that are not considered reasonable under 2 CFR 200.403-404. Any other cost prohibited under the Uniform Guidance and GATA.