The Senior Services Grant Fund

The primary objective of McHenry County Government is to efficiently and effectively provide needed services to County residents.  In April of 2003 a referendum was approved by the citizens of McHenry County to levy a tax rate not to exceed .025% for the provision of providing social services for senior citizens as applicable under State Statutes 55 ILCS 5/5-1034, 5/5-1005 and 5/5-109.  To further this direction, the McHenry County Board created the Senior Citizens Grant Fund.  It is, "the mission of the Mchenry County Senior Services Grant Commission to fund quality social and transportation services that encourage independent living, wellness, dignity and quality of life for McHenry County seniors."

Geographic Emphasis

Grants awarded from this Fund must be used for the exclusive benefit of McHenry County senior citizens.

Eligible Activities

In keeping with State Statute, grant funds can only be used for the following:

• Provide supportive social services designed to prevent the unnecessary institutionalization of elderly residents
• Provide for the operation of, and equipment for, senior citizen centers
• Providing social services to senior citizens
• Provide for transportation vehicles or services for senior citizens

Additional Program Qualifications

• No one program can receive more than 25% of available grant funds in a given fiscal year.
• The not-for-profit charitable agency applying for the funds must have been in operation, with 501(c)(3) status, for at least two years prior to submittal of an application.  Applicants not meeting this requirement may be considered for funding if affiliated with, and receiving support from, a nationally recognized parent organization. 
• Priority will be given to those agencies and proposals which have an established and favorable track record of providing senior service within McHenry County.
• It is strongly encouraged that at least 60% of the program funding be directed toward individuals at or below 80% of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Median Family Income (MFI).  McHenry County’s median  income per household size can be obtained at: www.huduser.org/portal/datasets/il/il2012/2012summary.odn.
• Agencies can submit two applications as a solo and/or two as an associated application (e.g. when a consortium of agencies is formed to develop and work together in a project).
• The Agency’s Program Budget Form must include agency’s expenses, program expenses, the agency’s income diversification, and a ratio between program and administrative expenses.
• Priority will be given to agencies that identify steps to collaborate with the County and other similar agencies in the delivery of services.
• The “Brief Summary of Request” form should state the amount requested, program goals and objectives and expected outcomes.  Please limit your response to the space given.

Grants will not be made to:

• Individuals
• Hospitals (for institutional programs and services)
• Nursing Homes (for institutional programs and services)
• Pass-through organizations
• Purely social organizations
• Political parties or candidates
• For-profit organizations
• Advertising journals, booklets, etc.
• Social events
• Ticket purchases
• Sponsorships
• Construction or capital projects
• Non-direct service agencies
• Start up agencies (defined as agencies that have not provided any services to any member of the public prior to submission of an application to the Senior Services Grant Fund)

2014 Grant Application Procedures

It is strongly recommended that interested applicants attend a Senior Services Grant information session.  There will be two grant informational sessions.  Sessions are scheduled for Thursday, May 30, 2013 at 9:30 a.m. and Thursday, June 20, 2013 at 1:30 p.m.  Sessions will be held at the McHenry County Administration Building located at 667 Ware Road, Woodstock, IL., 60098 in Conference Room A.  If you require any special accommodations please indicate by calling 815-334-4924.

Requests for grants must be received at the McHenry County Administration Building, Administration Offices,  located at 667 Ware Road, Woodstock, IL., 60098 by the end of business (4:30 p.m.) on Monday, July 22, 2013.  The Senior Services Grant Commission will conduct applicant interviews for all grant applications on Friday, August 23, 2013.  Applicants will be contacted directly to schedule the exact time for the interview.

The mailing address for applications is:

McHenry County Administration Building,

Attention: John W. Labaj, Deputy County Administrator,

2200 N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock IL. 60098.

Grant applications must be delivered to 667 Ware Road, Woodstock, Illinois or postmarked by Monday, July 22, 2013.  Applications received after that date and time will not be accepted.  Applications sent by e-mail or facsimile transmission (fax) will not be accepted.  All applications received by the deadline are acknowledged.  Approximately $1.7 million in Senior Services Grant funding will be made available during this funding round. Successful grant applicants will be required to attend a pre-award workshop to review grant management responsibilities prior to the program start date.

Content of the Narrative

1)    Program Praticipants

Identify the targeted senior population, specifying beneficiaries’ income levels.

2)    Program Description

Provide a statement of the need for the program and evidence of non-duplication of services.  Please include comprehensive information on the inventory of services being provided to your target population and the gap in services that your proposed program will overcome.

3)    Senior Service Grant Funding

Provide a narrative of program elements as a response to the identified need, providing rationale for proposed program effectiveness.  Provide a detailed description of the service and activities that will be funded utilizing the Senior Service Grant.

4)    Goals and Objectives of the Program

Goals and objectives of the program that are clear, related to the need section and underscore the organization’s mission.  A statement of how the grant will be utilized to further the provision of needed social services to McHenry County senior citizens should be included.

5)    Program Delivery

Describe your agency’s capacity, including its ability to continue the proposed program implementation in the event of staff vacancies.  This should also identify individuals responsible for delivering the product. Include specific resources the organization will contribute towards this program and the agency’s total administrative costs and total cost ratio.  Special emphasis will be paid to agencies that have a successful track record operating human service grants.

6)    Agency Collaboration

Provide evidence that the proposed program is a community collaborative effort.  Priority will be given to agencies that identify specific steps to collaborate with the County and other agencies servicing the senior citizen population in the delivery of proposed services.  Cooperation can be described as agencies sharing a common goal, coming together to share information, solve a common problem or avoid duplication.  Written statements and/or agreements among partners are encouraged to develop a formal structure among collaborating agencies.  Statement and/or agreements from all mentioned collaborating agencies can be included as attachments.

7)    Levels of Accomplishment/Program Evaluation

Describe how you will evaluate your program.  Program outcomes must be specifically stated, and they must be measurable and attainable; they must measure impact, not just activities. Applicants will provide an estimated number of clients to be served and number of service units the program will provide.  If you have previously operated a Senior Service Grant funded program for which you are currently seeking funding, you must provide a program evaluation.  Program evaluation will not count against the ten (10) page grant limitation. 

8)    Staffing Levels

Provide an estimate of the number of staff, both Senior Service Grant funded and through other funding sources, whose time will be allocated in whole or in part to the proposed project.  Continuation plan, including financial need and leverage of funding must also be provided.  Attachment B must be filed out if Senior Services Grant proceeds will be used, either in whole or in part, for salaries and fringe benefits of employees providing program services or administrative support.

9)    Program Budget

Provide a 2014 projected income and expense budget for the proposed program on Attachment A.  Be sure to include that portion of the budget proposed to be funded under the Senior Service Grant Program.

10) Standard Documents

 Provide one copy of the following attachments:

a.     A list of the Board of Directors of the agency

b.     Resolution or copy of the minutes from the Board of Directors authorizing application for funds

c.      A copy of the Agency’s By-Laws

d.     The most recent annual financial audit with accompanying Management Letter

e.      A copy of the IRS determination letter indicating 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status

f.      Statements and/or agreements of cooperation/collaboration from all mentioned collaborating agencies.

Contact

Questions concerning the Senior Services Grant Fund can be directed to:

John W. Labaj, Deputy County Administrator

Phone: (815) 334-4924   E-mail: jwlabaj@co.mchenry.il.us

Linda McMahon, Administrative Analyst

Phone: (815) 334-4872  E-mail: lpmcmahon@co.mchenry.il.us

Framework for Ranking Proposals

Grant proposals are reviewed by the McHenry County Senior Services Grant Commission.  This 17 member commission is comprised of County Board members, and representatives of the McHenry County Council of Governments, McHenry County Highway Association, McHenry County Township Supervisors, McHenry County Housing Authority, not for profit agencies and citizens at large.  The Commission makes funding recommendations to the County Board’s Public Health and Human Services Committee which in turn submits projects to the full County Board for approval.  The Commission reviews the following factors in reaching its recommendations:

• Benefit to vulnerable senior citizens (low-income, disabilities)

• Promotion of independent living for individuals who are at risk of losing their independence
• A program response to an identified gap in services or an increase in the level of services already available in the community
• The Program is not a duplication of  services already available in the County
• Applying agency has proven capacity to achieve proposed goals
• Program goals and objectives are clearly stated, underscore the agency’s mission and related to the gap of services identified.
• Suggested program provides rationale supported by research for program effectiveness.
• Proposed program outcomes are measurable and attainable and outcomes extend to the community.  This reinforces applicant’s accountability.
• Proposed program identifies concrete steps to cooperate/collaborate with the County and similar agencies in the delivery of the proposed services.
• The staffing level is adequate to achieve results in the proposed timeframes.
• Proposed project can effectively leverage funds.
• The budget of the proposed program is appropriate to the scope of the program and the ratio of total administrative costs to total cost is reasonable.
• The program meets one of the Senior Service Grant Commission’s strategic planning goals.  The Commission’s Strategic Plan (attached) gives priority to  the following types of projects:

Ø  Continuation funding for existing services

Ø  Transportation

Ø  Home Health Care

Ø  Medical Services

Ø  Public information, awareness and access to currently available

    programs and services.