Jan 1, 2027 - Dec 31, 2027 - Veterans Scratch-Off Lottery Ticket Program

100% of the net proceeds from Illinois lottery ticket sales are used to support Illinois veterans. On a quarterly basis, IDVA's Veterans Cash Grant Committee reviews applications and awards grants to groups that help veterans address challenges associated with the following:
1) Behavioral Health,
2) Homelessness,
3) Health Insurance Costs,
4) Long-term Care,
5) Disability Benefits,
6) Job Placement and Training,
7) Emergency Financial Assistance.

Details

• Awarding Agency: Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs
• CSFA Number: 497-00-1177
• CSFA Popular Name: Vets Cash
• Funding Opportunity Number: 1177-175
• Announcement Type: Initial Announcement
• Award Type: Competitive
• Total Funding Available: $500,000.00
• Funding Sources: State
• Capital Grant: No
• Indirect Costs Allowed: Yes
• Posted Date: 2026-07-06
• Award Period: 2027-01-01 – 2027-12-31

Funding Restrictions

NOT ALLOWED: alcohol, entertainment, flowers, food catered.

Indirect Cost Description

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 federal NICRA.

State Negotiated Rate

The organization must negotiate an indirect cost rate with the State of Illinois if they do not have Federally Negotiated Rate or elect to use the De Minimis Rate. The indirect cost rate proposal must be submitted to the State of Illinois within 90 days of the notice of award.

De Minimis Rate

An organization that has never received a Federally Negotiated Rate may elect a de minimis rate of 10% of Modified Total Direct Costs (MTDC). Once established, the de minimis rate may b used indefinitely. The State of Illinois must verify the calculation of the MTDC annually to accept the de minimis rate.

State Award Notices

Completed applications are reviewed and approved (or not approved) by the Vets Cash Committee, then sent to Director for final approval. The approved applicants will be notified by the Amplifiund database requesting additional documents. Once all requested documents and have been submitted, the Grant Agreement will be sent for the applicant to sign and return. Once the agreement is fully executed by IDVA, a copy will be returned to the applicant.

Administrative and National Policy Requirements

The Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA), 30 ILCS 708/1 et seq. is the Administrative Code that this grant will be governed under.

Reporting

Financial reporting will include all funds spent in the undertaking of the project. Various types of reporting are required for grant agreements awarded under this grant, including Periodic Financial Report and the Periodic Performance Report.

PERFORMANCE PROGRESS REPORTING:

The grantee shall be required to provide quarterly reporting of its activities under this project. IDVA may withhold or suspend payment if the grantee fails to submit required reports. The following reports are required under this Agreement:

Submission Timeline

• Submission Opens: 2026-08-13
• Submission Closes: 2026-09-30
• Submission Timeline: One Time
• Allow Multiple Applications: Yes

Question Submission

Contact the email address above if you have any programmatic questions about the Veterans Scratch-Off Lottery Ticket Program.

Contact AmpliFund Customer Support with any questions about how to apply or with questions throughout the application process. Hours of operation are Monday - Friday, 7 AM - 7 PM CST, and you can expect a response within two business hours.

Email: support@il-amplifund.zendesk.com
Phone: 216-377-5500 x 2

Apply on AmpliFund: https://il.amplifund.com/Public/Opportunities/Details/29a4a319-e83f-4900-8308-3dc34117ede6