Illinois Endangered and Threatened Species Rehabilitation Grants

The Illinois Endangered and Threatened Species Rehabilitation Grants program, administered through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, provides financial assistance for the maintenance of wildlife rehabilitation facilities that care for threatened or endangered species. Funding is derived from the Illinois Non-Game Wildlife Protection Act, under which five percent of non-federal dollars deposited into the Illinois Wildlife Preservation Fund are committed to grants through this program. The main funding source for the Illinois Wildlife Preservation Fund is the check-off available on the Illinois 1040 State income tax return. Eligible projects consist of necessary maintenance of facilities used to rehabilitate threatened or endangered species. Funding may support necessary structural repair and maintenance of existing buildings, pens, cages, secondary buildings, and appurtenant facilities used to care for threatened or endangered wildlife species. Direct project costs associated with eligible structural repair and maintenance activities may include contractual services, supplies and materials, the purchase or rental of necessary equipment, and staff time, including fringe benefits, that is directly related to project completion. Indirect costs are also allowable when they comply with the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act. Awards may provide up to $2,000 per year for each eligible application. Two-year grants are permitted and may not exceed $4,000 in total. No match is required. There is no stated limit on the number of applications that an applicant may submit, but each proposed project must be a distinct, standalone project. The program does not charge an application fee. The source does not state the total amount of program funding available or the anticipated number of awards. Eligible recipients are limited to persons and organizations that possess a current wildlife rehabilitation license or permit issued by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and that have provided care for threatened or endangered wildlife species during the three-year period preceding the date of application. Applicants intending to use any portion of Department grant funds to care for migratory birds must also possess a current wildlife rehabilitation license or permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service authorizing that activity. Nonprofit and local government applicants must be registered on the State of Illinois Grantee Portal before the application deadline. Individuals considering an application are instructed to contact the Department for assistance confirming eligibility before submitting an application. Application materials identified by the Department include the Notice of Funding Opportunity, Wildlife Rehab Standard Application, Wildlife Rehab Uniform Budget, W-9, Programmatic Risk Assessment, an applicant narrative, and proof of nonprofit status when applicable. Applicants are specifically instructed to include a narrative, with separate guidance identified by the Department on how to write a grant proposal. Applications and forms may be requested or submitted through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Office of Grant Management and Assistance at One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271. The listed program contact email is susan.duke@illinois.gov and the listed phone number is 217-785-4416. The program is not accepting applications at this time, and the provided information does not identify a current application opening date, closing date, pre-application deadline, or stated recurring application schedule. Consequently, no future application deadline can be calculated from the source. When a deadline is established, nonprofit and local government applicants must complete State of Illinois Grantee Portal registration before that deadline. Awards are generally announced within 180 days following the applicable application deadline. No specific evaluation criteria or performance period beyond the allowance for grants lasting up to two years are stated in the supplied information.

Confirm that required wildlife rehabilitation licenses or permits are current and document care for threatened or endangered wildlife during the preceding three years; obtain the required U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service permit if grant funds will support care of migratory birds; ensure each application represents a distinct standalone project; nonprofit and local government applicants should complete State of Illinois Grantee Portal registration before the application deadline; include the required narrative