Rural Support Grant

The FY26 Rural Support Grant aims to enhance the quality of life for older adults in rural Illinois by addressing specific challenges such as transportation, technology access, and volunteer recruitment. Organizations eligible for funding must be designated Area Agencies on Aging and comply with various requirements. The grant focuses on initiatives that reduce social isolation, improve health outcomes, and strengthen community connections. This funding opportunity promotes sustainable solutions through capacity building and partnership engagement.

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.
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.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants: Nonprofit OrganizationsTo be considered eligible for funding under this application, applicants must:Be designated as an Area Agency on Aging by the State of Illinois;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);Have an Affirmative Action Plan for staff regardless of the composition of the community;Comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; 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);Hire appropriate staff and provide adequate supervision; Include appropriate staff in orientation, training, and other meetings scheduled by the IDoA for this program; andPermit access to program operations and records to IDoA staff for evaluation and monitoring purposes.Beneficiary Eligibility: Older AdultsCaregiversCredentials Documentation: Applicants are required to: Be registered in SAM prior to submitting the application;Provide a valid DUNS number in the application; andContinue 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.

Ineligibility

Failure to comply with any of the “Applicant Requirements” during the program year can result in denial or discontinuation of funding for this program.