R3 Frequently Asked Questions

Posted: April 26, 2024

Question Received 4/25/24

If my organization is in a collaborative, are we able to put out yearly budget together to qualify for Tier 2?

Response

Yes, if you are the lead applicant. Tiered status is based on the lead applicant’s annual operating budget and number of years of service provision.

Question Received 4/23/24

If we are awarded a grant, how often are reimbursements done? Is it quarterly after the reporting is done?

Response

Grantees may elect to submit expenses for reimbursement monthly or quarterly. Some grantees may qualify for advance pay, which supports organizations with an initial cash disbursal. Advance pay eligibility is determined with an evaluation and provided upon ICJIA approval.

Question Received 4/23/24

We will be acting as the pass-through entity for our grant collaboration, we will need to complete the Memorandum of Understanding or Linkage Agreement. Could you kindly provide us with this document or the relevant link to the document to ensure our application is complete and submitted on time?

Response

The Memorandum of Understanding and/or Linkage Agreement should be negotiated and developed by the lead applicant for the pass-through entity. ICJIA does not provide these documents.

Question Received 4/23/24

Just confirming that the Certification of Employee Local Residence Form is optional - it states on the NOFO that it is (Required only for organizations seeking local preference points based on their employees’ residence in an R3 zone). We don’t have 50% in one particular R3 zone, we do if we add a couple of zones together. So I wanted to double verify that we don’t have to fill this out.

Response

To claim local preference, the organization’s employees must reside in an R3 zone (any zone). Claiming local preference is optional and up to the discretion of the applicant.

Question Received 4/23/24

Wondering if it’s allowable to put money in the budget for emergency family assistance such as housing, rental assistance, clothing, food, etc.?

Response

All expenses must be reasonable, necessary, and allocable to the program. Emergency family assistance may be allowable when the application articulates a nexus between providing emergency family assistance and the objectives of the grant program.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to fully explain and justify the need for specific expenses within the program design and the budget narrative. ICJIA retains the right to determine the allowability and reasonableness of proposed expenditures.

Question Received 4/23/24

Will an application be denied because they selected advance pay?

Response

No. Reimbursement types selected by applicants are not scored.

Question Received 4/22/24

We are applying for Violence Prevention/Youth Development and are wondering if it’s allowable to put money in the budget for emergency family assistance such as housing, rental assistance, clothing, food, etc.

Response:

All expenses must be reasonable, necessary, and allocable to the program. Emergency family assistance may be allowable when the application articulates a nexus between providing emergency family assistance and the objectives of the grant program.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to fully explain and justify the need for specific expenses within the program design and the budget narrative. ICJIA retains the right to determine the allowability and reasonableness of proposed expenditures.

Question Received 4/21/24

I have a question regarding completion of the performance measures template. Do we need to include target numbers for the mandatory measures portion (similar to what we need to provide for the discretionary measures)? The example provided on the top of page 22 of the NOFO does not include targets but wanted to confirm.

Response:

No, target numbers are not required in the mandatory measures section of the performance measures template.

Question Received (4/19/24):

We had some difficulty setting up SAM and getting the registration completed and submitted, but we were able to submit it today. Can we still submit with this still in process?

Response:

The UEI number generated from SAM.gov is required for application submission. Applicants must meet pre-qualification criteria at the time of AmpliFund submission. Applications that are not prequalified with a UEI will not be reviewed.

Posted: April 19, 2024

Question Received 4/17/24

Are costs for technology equipment directly related to providing skills training to participants allowable?

Response

Technology equipment that is reasonable and necessary for service provision is an allowable cost and should be categorized under Supplies in the budget. If the per-unit equipment cost is more than $5,000, pre-approval may be required.

Questions Received 4/17/24

May I submit a section of the grant and then go back to it and revise later?

Response

You cannot submit individual sections of the grant application. Only completed applications may be submitted. However, you may save individual sections in AmpliFund and return to the application later. Save frequently so you do not lose your work.

Question Received 4/15/24

Will we be able to push back the start date of the project once the award is issued in order to allow adequate time for staff to be brought on?

Response

Program start dates may vary, but the grant period of performance for the grant will begin on July 1, 2024, and the maximum period of performance cannot be extended if a program start date is later than the first day of the period of performance.

Question Received 4/15/24

If we prorate personnel costs with the expected lead time, will our decreased budget be locked in for any renewal budgets to extend the project in Years 2-3?

Response

No. If renewal grants become available, the award amount will be negotiated based on program performance and anticipated funding needs for the new grant period.

Questions Received 4/8/24

We are in the midst of writing our application submission but wanted to clarify if we are allowed to use a portion of the funding for stipends for youth who participate in our program.

Response

Yes, necessary and reasonable youth stipends are allowable expenses under the R3 NOFO. These expenses would be listed under Supplies in the budget.

Questions Received 4/8/24

We received a Violence Prevention/Intervention grant from ICJIA and are operating in three Chicago-based Regions (South and West sides and South Suburbs). We are currently waiting to see if we are extended for one more year beginning on July 1 2024-25. Are we still eligible to apply for this service delivery grant due April 30, 2024? We want to apply to service the south side region.

Response

Yes, you are eligible to apply for an R3 service delivery grant.

Questions Received 4/8/24

We currently have an R3 grant providing adult reentry services. Our grant is through June 2025. Our organization has numerous programs and a different program within our area would like to provide services for youth development and violence prevention.

Are we able, as an organization, to apply for this 2025 R3 grant? Services would be in the same R3 zones but to different populations**

Response

Current grantees may not apply for a second R3 grant to provide services in a region they are already serving with R3 funds.

Posted: April 12, 2024

Question Received 4/5/24

How does the classification of “High Need” vs “Not High Need” affect the application/funding process?

Response

Applicants proposing to provide services in high need R3 zones receive 5 additional points in the Equity Scoring section of the NOFO.

Question Received 4/5/24

Can organizations (that do not yet have a 501c3) with a fiscal sponsor apply for R3? If so, how would that work? For example, can they apply using the fiscal sponsor’s 501c3, DUNS and GATA Account?

Response

Organizations without 501©(3) status may still be eligible to apply without a fiscal sponsor. A single applicant organization must be either certified by the IRS as a 501©(3) nonprofit organization, a local unit of government, a faith-based organization determined to be tax-exempt by the IRS, a local business, or a community or neighborhood organization that does not have 501©(3) status.

When an organization applies through a fiscal sponsor, the fiscal sponsor is the grant applicant and would serve as a passthrough for that organization. Before applying for any grant, the applicant must be registered through the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) Grantee Portal at www.grants.illinois.gov/portal and in Good Standing for all pre-qualification requirements.

Question Received 4/4/24

If I submit an application on behalf of a different non-profit than the one I previously represented, do I need to create another account?

Response

The individual responsible for completing the application should represent the organization in an official capacity. They also must be registered via the GATA Grantee GATA Portal and identified as an AmpliFund user in that capacity. Depending on how your account is registered, you may need to make changes to or create a new account. Please contact the AmpliFund help desk if you are uncertain about your registration status. Individuals responsible for completing the application should represent the organization in an official capacity. They also must be registered via the GATA Grantee GATA Portal and identified as an AmpliFund user in that capacity. Depending on how your account is registered, you may need to make changes to or create a new account. Please contact the AmpliFund help desk if you are uncertain about your registration status.

Question Received 4/4/24

Our fiscal sponsor is registered in GATA, can we apply for the grant through their account (they will receive the funds if the grant is awarded) however our organization will lead all programming. Can we put our organization name in the DBA field of the application?

Response

Your organization may submit an application as part of a collaborative. When organizations apply through a fiscal sponsor, the fiscal sponsor is the grant applicant and would serve as a passthrough for them. Those organizations will then be responsible for providing programming.

Question Received 4/4/24

I want to confirm the only non profit -501C3 - organizations are eligible to apply to this grant application

Response

A single applicant organization must be either certified by the IRS as a 501©(3) nonprofit organization, a local unit of government, a faith-based organization determined to be tax-exempt by the IRS, a local business, or a community or neighborhood organization that does not have 501©(3) status.

Question Received 4/4/24

We would be providing services for teens from the R3 zone, but we would not be able to refuse services to teens that do not live in the R3 zone. Does this make us Ineligible for the R3 Funding Opportunity?

Response

Having some participants who reside outside of the R3 zone would not make you ineligible to apply for this NOFO.

Question Received 4/4/24

Will we be penalized if we state that fewer than 50% of our employees live in in R3 zone to be served?

Response

Employees are not required to reside in an R3 zone and applicants are not required to seek local preference points for certifying their employees’ places of residence.

Posted: April 5, 2024

Question Received 4/1/24

For the last NOFO, we were able to wait and do the prequalification steps after it was announced whether we would be receiving an award. This time the instructions say that we cannot submit until we are prequalified. Why is that?

Response

Newly amended Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) administrative rules require applicant prequalification. 44 Ill. Admin Code 7000.70. Applicant organizations must be prequalified at the time of submission. Applications from organizations that have not been prequalified will not be accepted.

Question Received 4/1/24

I am a grant writer and currently registered as an Amplifund user.

If I submit an application on behalf of a different non profit than the one I previously represented, do I need to create another account?

Response

Individuals responsible for completing the application should represent the organization in an official capacity. They also must be registered via the GATA Grantee GATA Portal and identified as an AmpliFund user in that capacity.

Question Received 3/29/24

I want to confirm the only non profit -501C3 - organizations are eligible to apply to this grant application.

Response

Eligible applicants include organizations certified by the IRS as a 501©(3) nonprofit organization, a local unit of government, a faith-based organization determined to be tax-exempt by the IRS, a local business, or a community or neighborhood organization that does not have 501©(3) status.

Question Received 3/28/24

Where on the budget template should we include transportation expenses (bus cards) for workforce development training participants? Additionally, on what sheet should participant stipends, housing assistance, and childcare assistance be itemized?

Response

As a general rule, items needed for program participants, such as bus passes and stipends, should be listed on the Supplies sheet in the Budget. List housing and childcare assistance expenses that will be paid directly to a vendor though a contractual agreement on the Contractual sheet.

The DOJ Grants Financial Guide is a great resource for understanding allowable costs. See Section 3.9 for an overview on how to categorize allowable costs in your budget.

Question Received 3/28/24

What budget categories are eligible for Base when determining Indirect Costs?

Response

The budget categories will vary by grantee. Refer to the GATA language regarding indirect costs here: https://gata.illinois.gov/indirect-cost.html

Question Received 3/27/24

For the program we are applying for, the employees do reside in an R3 zone. However, because our work overall takes place in multiple locations, and due to the nature of the work, there is not a requirement for all programming employees to live where our sites are located. Additionally, we have over 300 employees. Will we be penalized if we state that fewer than 50% of our employees live in in R3 zone to be served?

Response

Employees are not required to reside in an R3 zone and applicants are not required to seek local preference points for certifying their employees’ places of residence.

Question Received 3/25/24

We are writing the R3 Service Grant to include several partners in the area. How do I know if they will be a Subaward or if they should be a Collaborator?

Response

Members of a collaborative application may receive subawards. Subawardees and subcontractors play different roles in executing a program plan. See NOFO page 30 for more information. Also, see the Checklist for Contractor/Subrecipient Determinations.

Question Received 3/25/24

I understand that we are required to hire a staff attorney for the civil legal aid category. My question is whether we need to have the attorney already on staff by the time we apply or whether we can apply with the plan to hire an attorney if we receive a grant.

Response

Yes, you can apply prior to hiring an attorney. Include the to-be-hired attorney in your staffing plan.

Question Received 3/24/24

Is there a cash match requirement and what is it based on?

Response

A cash match is not required for this funding opportunity.

Question Received 3/24/24

I want to confirm that we can list multiple sub-applicants on one application (we are considering an application with up to 2 sub-applicants).

Response

Yes, you can list multiple sub-applicants in one application.

Question Received 3/24/24

Can we submit a separate application of our own in that same zone and still be listed as a sub-applicant on the other application?

Response

You all cannot serve the same population in that region and be a sub applicant.

Question Received 3/24/24

It is our understanding that we can be the lead applicant for different applications as long as they are in different zones. Is that correct?

Response

 Yes, you may serve as the lead applicant in multiple applications as long as the applications request funds to provide services in separate R3 zones.

Question Received 3/24/24

I can find the applications in the NOFO, but I need the word or character counts for the questions.

Response

There are no word or character count requirements in the narrative fields.

Question Received 3/24/24

What is meant by “years of service provision” in the funding table? Is that experience providing similar services throughout the agency or specific to R3 funding/programs?

Response

Service provision refers to how many years of experience the applicant has in providing any of its proposed services, not just R3-funded services.

Posted: March 29, 2024

Question Received 3/22/24

Is it possible to receive from you an emailed copy of the R3 application/questions to this email address?

Response

View and download application materials here. Please note that the application must be completed and submitted within the Amplifund system.

Question Received 3/21/24

Is there flexibility to start a grant in perhaps November rather than July 1st?

Response

The 2025 R3 program period of performance will begin July 1, 2024, and end June 30, 2025. Successful applicants (grantees) may start operating their programs at a later date; however, the program performance period will not be extended.

Question Received 3/21/24

Can we provide services in partnership with this school is 60% of students come from R3 Zones? Would we have to filter out students who reside outside the Zones?

Response

Yes, you can provide services in partnership with the school with 60% of participants living in an R3 zone as long as the program will be provided within an R3 zone. No, you would not have to filter those students who reside outside of an R3 zone according to their zip code.

Question Received 3/20/24

NOFO Language Referenced (p12): “Funds also may be used to repair or make limited renovations to property owned by nonprofit organizations to make the spaces safe and accessible for program participants or to provide more usable space for programming (such as the installation of private rooms for counseling, installation of sports equipment, or other program-specific construction).”Question: Does the above language apply to government entities; language references “nonprofit organizations”?

Response

Yes, government entities are eligible to apply for R3 funds for that purpose.

Question Received 3/20/24

Would the construction of an extension to an existing Transitional Housing and/or Permanent Supportive Housing location through the Problem-Solving Courts be considered an “expansion” and therefore an allowable cost or defined as “new construction” and prohibited?

Response

The expansion language refers to program expansion. Funding may not be used to expand building space or any bricks-and-mortar structure.

Question Received 3/20/24

I can find the applications in the NOFO, but I need the word or character counts for the questions. Can you send me the application, please?

Response

There are no word or character count requirements in the narrative fields.

View and download application materials here. Please note, however, that the application must be completed and submitted within the Amplifund system.

Question Received 3/20/24

I have been trying to view the live event today, but it does not appear active on Facebook or LinkedIn. Is this still happening?

Response

Click here to view ICJIA webinar What is R3: An R3 Overview and Eligibility Map Demonstration.

Question Received 3/20/24

I have a question regarding the Tier Level on Appendix C: Funding Table. How do you define “service provision”? Is this how long our organization has provided any programs/services or services under an R3 grant?

Response

Service provision refers to how many years of experience the applicant has in providing any of its proposed services, not just R3-funded services.

Posted: March 22, 2024

Question Received 3/17/24

How would we know if we are in an eligible R3 zone?

Response

Use this interactive online map tool to determine whether a specific address, neighborhood, or community falls within an R3 area. R3 areas appear in colored patches across the map.

Type the address of the applicant organization into the Search Bar and hit Enter or scroll to a proposed service area on the map to determine whether it appears within a colored (grant-eligible) area.

Question Received 3/17/24

Our organization is in its 3rd year with an overall annual budget between $2 million and $3 million. We meet all of the other requirements but seem to be ineligible because our budget is too much for Tier 2 but our service period is too short for Tier 3. Can you please confirm that we are NOT eligible to apply for this opportunity as an organization with a $2.6 million budget in our 3rd year of service provision? If I’m incorrect, can you please clarify for which tier we would be eligible to apply?

Response

Tier 2 will include agencies with two to five years of service provision OR whose annual budgets are under $2 million. An organization with a $2.6 million budget in its third year of service provision would be placed under Tier 2.

Question Received 3/15/24

Can our existing program, which is in year 2, submit for a different funding goal priority area but still for the alternative school program?

Response

Current R3 grantees may only apply for funding to provide services in a separate (or second) region. Applications for funding to expand service provision in a currently operating R3 program will not be accepted.

Question Received 3/15/24

If we have received the grant in the past, are we allowed to apply for the same programming in this new grant offering? Can we use these funds to continue to grow the existing program?

Response

If you received an R3 grant for service delivery in the past that is no longer active, you may apply for a 2025 R3 grant. If you grant is active, you may only apply for funding to provide services in a separate (or second) region.

Question Received 3/13/24

Is there a method we should use to determine which one would be best to apply under? There seem like there could be programs that would overlap between both.

Response

As this is a competitive funding opportunity, ICJIA staff is unable to advise organizations on how to craft their proposals or whether their proposed activities align with the outlined priorities. However, unfunded organizations may propose programs that cross multiple priority areas.

Question Received 3/13/24

When will the R3 notice of awards be made for the applications that are submitted by the April 30th 2pm CST deadline?

Response

ICJIA anticipates announcing 2025 R3 grant awards in June 2024, subject to change based on a variety of factors that impact application processing.

Question Received 3/12/24

Is the open grant a drawdown or reimbursement grant?

Response

Grantees will be reimbursed. ICJIA also offers some advance payment options to qualifying organizations.

Question Received 3/12/24

I am writing to inquire about the ICJIA grant. Are organizations that provide programming in public schools to at risk youth eligible to submit an application?

Response

Yes, as long as the service population resides in and/or service delivery is provided in an eligible R3 zone.

Question Received 3/12/24

My organization does not yet have a SAM.gov account, but we will be signing up for one. I see on the SAM.gov website that DUNS has been replaced by UEI numbers. Since we are young enough of an organization to not have a DUNS number, will this UEI be an acceptable replacement?

Response

Yes. If you register for a SAMS.gov account, your organization will receive an assigned UEI number. This federally assigned unique identifier is an acceptable replacement for a DUNS for the purpose of this funding opportunity.

Question Received 3/7/24

As current grantees of a 3 year funding agreement, will we need to apply to the NOFO that has just been released for 4/30? Or is this opportunity just for a new cohort of applicants?

Response

Current grantees do not need to re-apply to continue an existing award. This NOFO is for a new cohort of applicants.

Posted: March 15, 2024

Question (Received 3/6/24)

For the Youth Development program priority, what does the age category of 18+ include? Would it include emerging adults 18-24?

Response

Yes, the Youth Development age category of 18+ includes emerging adults ages 18 to24 years old.

Question (Received 3/6/24)

Can we apply under two categories, for example Youth Development and Economic Development? Or do we need to focus on one category?

Response

Yes, proposed programs may provide services in more than one category or priority area. However, organizations may not submit more than one application per region. All proposed service categories may be described in a single application.

Question (Received 3/6/24)

Are there zip code/zone restrictions for participants? For example, if we applied for a Youth Development grant within the zone where our office is located (60623) could we only serve participants within that zip code? We recruit from the direct geographical area around the program, but we don’t limit participants based on their zip code or zone.

Response

Applicants may propose to provide services within a designated R3 zone or to residents of any other designated R3 zone for grant eligibility.

Question (Received 3/6/24)

It would be great to connect with you via Zoom or phone to discuss further and see if our organization is a good fit for funding. Are you free in the next week or so to chat?

Response

Due to the competitive nature of this solicitation, applicants may not discuss this opportunity directly or indirectly with any ICJIA employee other than the respondent of this email address: CJA.R3Questions@illinois.gov.

Questions may be submitted until 2:00 pm CST, on April 25, 2024. All substantive questions and responses are posted weekly.

Question (Received 3/6/24)

If our official address is outside the eligible area, but our project and our clients are within the eligible area, are we eligible to apply?

Response

Yes. Applicants proposing to provide services within a designated R3 zone or to residents of any other designated R3 zone are eligible to apply for a grant.

Question (Received 3/6/24)

I saw that R3’s 2025 Service Delivery Grant is open, and the funding is available for the period of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. Our organization is a current recipient of the R3 grant. Our initial program period is 7/1/2022 - 6/30/2023 but it has been extended to 7/1/2022 - 6/30/2025. We are thinking of expanding our existing reentry program with street outreach and clean energy-related training and placements. Are we eligible to submit an application for 2025 grant given that we are a current R3 recipient? Or will we have another chance to extend our R3 program after it ends on 6/30/2025?

Response

Current grantees are allowed one service delivery grant per region. Your organization may apply for service delivery grants to serve another R3 region through this NOFO. To be notified of all future grant opportunities, subscribe to ICJIA’s email list.

Question (Received 3/7/24)

We are a current R3 grantee. Are we eligible to apply for a different program?

Response

Yes, you are eligible to apply for a different program as a current grantee. For example, if you have a current grant for planning, you may apply for service delivery funding. If you are a current service delivery grantee, you may apply for another service delivery grant in another region. Organizations may only apply for one grant per region.

Question (Received 3/7/24)

Our current grant is for the Chicago North Region. Could we apply with our Elgin office to serve the Elgin R3 zones 1501-1506?

Response

Yes, applying for grants to provide service delivery in an R3 region that is different from the region you currently serve is allowable.

Question (Received 3/8/24)

We are planning to apply for R3 funds this year, and we have two locations of service we are interested in applying for. I wanted to confirm that they are separate regions, and therefore require two separate applications. I also wanted to ask if submitting more than one application would affect our likelihood of receiving a grant.

Response

Please see the Region Map on page 41 of the NOFO to identify regions. Each application submitted will be competing with others submitted within that R3 region, by tier. Funding will be divided among successful applicants based on available funds until funding is exhausted or until all applications selected for funding have been awarded.

Question (Received 3/10/24)

Is there a limit or recommendation on the number of applications we can or should submit, especially if considering multiple extensions or expansions of our program?

Response

Single applications may propose to provide services in multiple R3 zones. Proposed programs may provide services in more than one category or priority area. However, organizations may not submit more than one application per region.

Posted: March 8, 2024

Question (Received 3/1/2024)

Do legal services for low income and socially disadvantaged entrepreneurs and businesses, also known as business law services, qualify for funding under this NOFO as civil legal aid?

Response

Only services provided to program participants as listed in p. 38-39 of the NOFO are eligible for funding under this NOFO.

Question (Received 3/1/2024)

Is Table X on pages 38-39 an exhaustive list of services that are eligible as civil legal aid? We ask because we do not see any mention of legal services to low income and socially disadvantaged businesses in any of the listed categories, also known as business law or entrepreneurial law services.

Response

Yes, the table on pages 38-39 is an exhaustive list of allowable civil legal aid services.

Question (Received 3/1/2024)

Would 100% of the violence prevention programming have to occur within the R3 funding regions? Or could we request a different % of funding based on the programming that is conducted in these regions? There are schools not within these regions but take students from R3 eligible districts-would violence prevention programming in those schools be eligible?

Response

Yes, 100% of the violence prevention programming has to occur within an R3 funding region or to those who reside in an R3 zone.

Question (Received 3/2/2024)

We are currently operating under the R3 Planning grant, as the Planning Grant does not end until June of 2025, are we able to apply for the Service grant now?

Response

If your organization is currently operating under an R3 planning grant you can apply for the current R3 NOFO for service delivery.

Question (Received 3/2/2024)

We are seeing a staggering increase in firearm injury and mortality in undocumented individuals here on the South Side. Would it be possible to apply for the R3 funding opportunity with this population in mind?

Response

Yes, this population is an eligible population to receive R3 services under this NOFO as long as the proposed program is otherwise eligible for R3 funding.

Question (Received 3/4/2024)

We were not able to attend the March 1st Technical Assistance Webinar. Can we receive a copy of the deck and a recorded copy of the webinar

Response

The technical assistance webinar presented on March 1, 2024, at 2pm is now available on the R3 website at this link: R3 | R3 NOFO Instructions and Appendices (illinois.gov), under the heading of “R3 NOFO Technical Assistance.”

Other resources can be found on the R3 website at https://r3.illinois.gov/resources

Question (Received 3/4/2024)

I’m starting an application for the R3 grant and had a question about who to list as Primary Contact in AmpliFund. As the grant manager, can I be primary contact or does it need to be our CFO as official AOR? The NOFO does not specify this, but wanted to be sure.

Response

Organizations should make decisions around primary contacts internally. The primary contact will be the recipient of any communication related to the NOFO and grant awarding decisions.

Question (Received 3/4/2024)

Can an organization who received funding in the 1st round for service delivery and in the 2nd round for Capacity Building apply in this round for another service delivery project?

Response

Yes, an organization who received funding in the 1^st round of service delivery and 2^nd round for capacity building may apply for this round of R3 for service delivery.

Question (Received 3/5/2024)

In a collaborative application, which organizations’ budget and experience is used to make the tier determination?

Response

In a collaborative application the applicant organization’s budget and length of experience in providing services is used to make the tier determination.

Question (Received 3/5/2024)

If the applicant is a unit of local government, is the “annual agency budget” the budget for the entire governmental entity or that of the department or division managing the R3 project?

Response

The annual agency budget is for the entity that is officially submitting the application, so if the application is being submitted by the county (for example), the agency budget would be the county’s budget, regardless of which division of the county will carry out the project.

Question (Received 3/5/2024)

Can a collaborative apply for more than one area? If yes, will a new application be required for each area?

Response

The word ‘area’ is a little ambiguous, so for clarification, note that there is a distinction between “R3 zones,” which are the census tracts deemed eligible for R3 funds, and R3 funding regions, which are the twelve regions of the state that form separate pools of competition for these funds. An application (either single or collaborative) may propose to serve multiple R3 zones within the same R3 region under one application. However, if the proposal seeks to serve R3 zones in different funding regions, the applicant would need to submit a different application for each funding region. Only one application per region, per applicant, can be submitted. Any subsequent applications within the same region will be disqualified.

Question (Received 3/5/2024)

Am I required to have registered with SAM.gov to qualify for this grant?

Response

Yes, registration on SAM.gov is a requirement. You can review the full list of requirements on the R3 website, r3.illinois.gov and by downloading the R3 NOFO information packet https://icjia.illinois.gov/grants/funding/r3-nofo-service-delivery-nofo-2378-030124/

R3 Program

How will you ensure that the communities across the state are aware of R3?

The Lieutenant Governor’s Office and ICJIA have employed an extensive communication plan that includes announcements via subscriber lists, website postings, social media, legislator engagement, and media engagement, especially in areas determined to be of high need.

How are grant opportunities announced?

All grant opportunities are announced via the ICJIA email list, the ICJIA website, and ICJIA social media. R3 grant opportunities also are announced on the R3 website.

What program areas are funded through the R3 program?

Applicants may apply for grants to provide services in the following priority areas:

Economic Development
Violence Prevention
Reentry
Youth Development
Civil Legal Aid

How do I determine whether my community is eligible for funding?

Use the interactive online map tool to determine whether a specific address, neighborhood, or community falls within an R3 area and is eligible for funding. R3 areas appear in colored patches across the map.

Type the address of the applicant organization into the Search Bar. In addition, scroll into the applicant organization’s proposed service area to determine whether it appears within a colored (grant-eligible) area.

How can I become notified of upcoming ICJIA grant training and technical assistance opportunities**?**

Join the ICJIA subscriber list to be notified of all training and technical assistance opportunities.

Eligibility Map

What is the purpose of the R3 map?

The R3 map indicates areas around Illinois with the highest levels of gun injury, unemployment, child poverty, and commitments to and returns from the Illinois Department of Corrections. Only organizations that serve people in an eligible area may apply for R3 grant funds.

How do I use the map?

Use the interactive online map tool to determine whether a specific address, neighborhood, or community falls within an R3 area. R3 areas appear in colored patches across the map.

Type the address of the applicant organization into the Search Bar and hit Enter or scroll to a proposed service area to determine whether it appears within a colored (grant-eligible) area.

Why did the map change?

A recalculation of eligible areas is required every four years by statute. Additionally, the 2023/2024 mapping process incorporates new census tracts to reflect the 2020 Census. The original R3 Area map was based on 2010 Census boundaries.

Who developed the new map?

ICJIA researchers collaborated with an R3 working group to analyze the data used to identify eligible areas and create the new map.

How was the new map developed?

Updated mapping data were retrieved from the Illinois Department of Corrections, Illinois State Police, Illinois Department of Public Health, and the U.S. Census Bureau’s Five-Year American Community Survey. ICJIA staff analyzed the data with input on the procedures from the Governor’s Office, the Lieutenant Governor’s Office, and an R3 working group. Data findings were applied to the map, which is available here.

What data sources are used to map eligibility?

Updated mapping data were retrieved from the Illinois Department of Corrections, Illinois State Police, Illinois Department of Public Health, and the U.S. Census Bureau’s Five-Year American Community Survey.

Did the updated map expand geographic eligibility?

Yes. The updated map shows 906 eligible R3 Areas, a 15% increase in area over the 2019 map, which showed 769 areas. These increases were seen in all 12 regions of Illinois.

Who will be impacted by the map change?

Few will be impacted by the map revisions. However, organizations that find their communities have moved out of R3-eligible areas may apply for funding under other violence prevention programs administered by ICJIA. Join the ICJIA subscriber list to be notified of all ICJIA funding opportunities.

Who approved the map?

The R3 Board reviewed and voted to approve the map in January 2024.

Why doesn’t the map cover more Hispanic communities?

Stakeholder feedback suggests some Hispanic/Latinx communities interact differently than other groups with the criteria outlined in the R3 legislation. For example, individuals who are undocumented may be deported, as opposed to being committed to the Illinois Department of Correction—a criterion stated in the R3 legislation. Others have suggested that a general distrust of government and other institutions may prevent individuals in Hispanic/Latinx communities from being counted in data on gun injury, unemployment, child poverty, and commitments to and returns from the Department of Corrections. This distrust may manifest in various ways, such as a refusal to seek treatment at a hospital for a gun injury or not responding to Census surveys.

Unfortunately, this limits researchers’ ability to include these and other hard-to-count populations in data used for metrics relating to the legislatively outlined criteria on a statewide scale.

Will current R3 grantees be grandfathered into the new map?

Current R3 grantees will not be impacted by map revisions. However, those grantees must confirm eligibility based on the new map when reapplying for R3 funds.

What is the difference between an R3 area and an R3 region?

R3 areas are determined by high rates of gun injury, unemployment, child poverty, and commitments to and returns from the Illinois Department of Corrections, as defined in the R3 legislation.

R3 regions refer to groups of counties created to ensure funding is distributed equitably across the state.

How were the eligible areas identified?

The R3 legislation defines eligible areas as those with the highest rates of gun injury, unemployment, child poverty, and commitments to and returns from the Department of Corrections.

Are communities that appear on the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Disproportionate Impacted Area map eligible for R3 funds?

Yes. View the DCEO DIA map here.

My community was listed as an R3 area in 2019 but is no longer eligible according to the new map. What happened?

The map was updated with current data on gun injury, unemployment, child poverty, and commitments to and returns from the Department of Corrections. Organizations that find their communities have moved out of R3-eligible areas may apply for funding under other violence prevention programs administered by ICJIA.

Join the ICJIA subscriber list to be notified of all ICJIA funding opportunities.

Review Process

Who reviews the applications?

Application reviewers include members of R3-eligible communities, individuals with work or lived experience in at least one of the five R3 program priorities (economic development, violence prevention, reentry, youth development, and civil legal aid), and a small number of ICJIA staff. All reviewers must participate in cultural bias and grant review training.

How are applications reviewed?

Applications are reviewed by panels of trained volunteers, ICJIA staff, and other stakeholders and scored based on the criteria outlined in the R3 Notice of Funding Opportunity. Panelist scores are averaged for each applicant and the applicants’ final scores are ranked within each funding region. ICJIA recommends funding applicants that achieve each region’s highest scores.

Equity scores are considered in cases where there is a tie. Equity points are applied based on local preference, local preference for staff or collaborative partners, whether they are located in high-need areas, levels of community involvement, and restorative justice efforts.

Do applicants compete on stand-alone merit or with the other applicants in their region?

Applicants compete with other applicants within their selected region.

Who approves R3 grant decisions?

The bipartisan R3 Board makes final decisions on grant funding designations. The R3 Board consists of the Lieutenant Governor and other elected officials, service providers, violence prevention experts, and people who have been directly impacted by incarceration.

How are the funds transferred to grant recipients?

Funds are disbursed via the Illinois Office of the Comptroller either by mailed check or direct deposit, depending on grantee registration status.

What causes delays in disbursing grant funds?

ICJIA makes every effort to ensure that contracts are completed accurately and in full. What may seem like minor errors, such as a FEIN number typo, an incorrectly checked box, or a misspelled name, can lead to Comptroller payment processing delays. Errors on W-9 forms also may cause unforeseen delays. We encourage awarded grantees to closely review all documentation prior to submission.

Are there specific requirements that grantees must meet to access their funding?

Yes. Registration in the Grantee Portal https://grants.illinois.gov/portal/, is required before an organization can apply for an award. In addition, grantee organizations must have an active DUNS number or UEI, as applicable, an active SAM.gov public account, and be in good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State, as applicable.

Can a grantee receive a full or partial year’s funding with an executed grant agreement?

ICJIA provides advance payment and working capital advance options. ICJIA is one of the few state agencies that provides options outside of the reimbursement method to grantees needing funds to start up their programs or to maintain cash flow throughout their period of performance.

Evaluation

How are R3 outcomes evaluated?

In the first phase of R3 research, ICJIA conducted in-depth process and outcome evaluations with a subset of funded programs. That phase is nearing completion. In Phase 2, researchers will examine the impacts service delivery sites are making based on data and client surveys. Phase 3 will measure R3’s statewide impact with poverty, recidivism, gun violence, and other data indicators for comparison between time periods.

What research methods are used to evaluate the programs?

ICJIA incorporates community-based participatory research (CBPR) methods as they evaluate the R3 program. CBPR is a strategy for conducting evaluations or research that empowers communities, organizations, and individuals to analyze and address their needs. Traditional research and evaluation methods keep the researchers and the community separate to promote objectivity and avoid bias; however, the CBPR method involves a collaboration between researchers and those within the community. CBPR strategies closely align with R3’s collaborative mission.