Partners for Conservation - Illinois Soil and Water Conservation District Grants (FY26)

Partners for Conservation - Illinois Soil and Water Conservation District Grants (FY26)

The Illinois Department of Agriculture (the “Department” or “IDOA”) is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) to provide grants to cover ordinary and contingent administrative expenses under the Soil and Water Conservation Districts program per the Soil and Water Conservation Districts Act (70 ILCS 405) and Partners for Planning and Conservation 30 ILCS 105/6z-32) Sec. 6z-32.

The Partners for Conservation Program is a long-term, state-supported initiative to protect natural resources and enhance outdoor recreational opportunities in Illinois. Several state agencies share responsibility for administering the Partners for Conservation Fund. The Illinois Department of Agriculture oversees the program's agriculture-related components. Under the Illinois Department of Agriculture, the program implements strategies for maintaining the viability of Illinois' soil and water resources. Soil and Water Conservation Districts assist landowners in natural resource management by providing technical assistance in such areas as soil conservation, water quality protection, wetlands management, flood control, soil erosion control at urban construction sites, stream bank stabilization, recycling, soil interpretation, land use and site suitability, and conservation education.

Local County Soil and Water Conservation Districts in Illinois that provide natural resource management technical assistance to landowners in such areas as soil conservation, water quality protection, wetlands management, flood control, soil erosion, stream bank stabilization, recycling, soil interpretation, land use and site suitability, and conservation education are eligible to apply.

Awards will be made to applicants meeting all eligibility criteria. Applications will be accepted until April 15, 2026. District funding will be awarded on a competitive basis and determined on base operations support and technical training level of District staff according to completion of planner level certification and technical supplemental support. Funding is also established to cover the cost of health insurance. Awards will range from $39,000 to $500,000. The Illinois Department of Agriculture anticipates distributing this amount across 98 awards.

Details

• Awarding Agency: Agriculture
• Departments: Bureau of Land & Water Resources
• CSFA Number: 406-46-2347
• CSFA Popular Name: Partners for Conservation - Illinois Soil and Water Conservation District Grants
• Funding Opportunity Number: 406-46-2347
• Announcement Type: Initial Announcement
• Total Funding Available: $4,500,000.00
• Expected Number of Awards: 98
• Funding Sources: State
• Capital Grant: No
• Indirect Costs Allowed: No
• Posted Date: 2026-03-11
• Award Period: 2025-07-01 – 2027-12-31

Funding Source Description

This grant program is utilizing state funds appropriated by Public Act 104-0003, Section 140 for ordinary and contingent administrative expenses. Total amount of funding expected to be awarded through this NOFO is $4,500,000. Awards will range from $39,000 to $500,000. The Department expects to make 98 awards through this NOFO.

State Award Notices

The Notice of State Award (NOSA) will specify the funding terms and specific conditions resulting from the pre-award risk assessments. The NOSA must be accepted in the GATA Portal/AmpliFund by an authorized representative of the grantee organization. The NOSA is not an authorization to begin performance or incur costs.

Administrative and National Policy Requirements

Grant Uniform Requirements: The Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (30 ILCS 708/1 et seq.) (and its related administrative rules, 44 Ill. Admin. Code Part 7000), was enacted to increase the accountability and transparency in the use of grant funds from whatever source and to reduce administrative burdens on both State agencies and grantees by adopting federal guidance and regulations applicable to those grant funds; specifically, the Uniform Administrative
Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (2 CFR 200).

Reporting

Grantees funded through this NOFO are required to submit in the format required by the Grantor, at least on a quarterly basis, the Periodic Financial Report and Periodic Performance Report electronically. Pursuant to 2 CFR 200.328, Periodic Financial Reports shall be submitted no later than 30 calendar days following the period covered by the report. Pursuant to 2 CFR 200.329, Periodic Performance Reports shall be submitted no later than 30 calendar days following the period covered by the report. Any additional reporting requirements will be disclosed in the NOSA. Grantees are required within 60 calendar days following the end of the period of performance to submit a final closeout report in the format required by the Grantor (See 2 CFR 200.344; 44 Ill. Admin. Code 7000.440(b)).

Monitoring and Access to Information. Grantee must monitor its activities to assure compliance with applicable state and federal requirements and to assure its performance expectations are being achieved. Grantor will monitor the activities of Grantee to assure compliance with all requirements, including applicable programmatic rules, regulations, and guidelines that the Grantor promulgates or implements, and performance expectations of the Award. Grantee must timely submit all financial and performance reports, and must supply, upon Grantor’s request, documents and information relevant to the Award. Grantor may make site visits as warranted by Program needs. 2 CFR 200.329; 200.332.

Audits. Grantee is subject to the audit requirements contained in the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 (31 USC 7501-7507), Subpart F of 2 CFR Part 200, and the audit rules and policies set forth by the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget. 30 ILCS 708/65(c); 44 Ill. Admin. Code 7000.90.

Additional Information

https://agr.illinois.gov/resources/conservation.html

For more information about agriculture-related Partners for Conservation grant programs, contact:

Illinois Department of Agriculture
Bureau of Land and Water Resources
State Fairgrounds
P.O. Box 19281
Springfield, IL 62794-9281
AGR.GRANTS@Illinois.gov