Justice Advisory Council Grants

Service Information

Grants & Investments Overview

The Cook County Justice Advisory Council (JAC) awards grants in the areas of Violence Prevention, Services for Returning Residents as well as other areas of need. The overarching goal of the JAC's grantmaking is to increase access to services that increase community safety and reduce reliance on incarceration. 

To remain informed about upcoming grant opportunities, please subscribe for updates from the Justice Advisory Council.

Open Funding Opportunities

Housing Services and Wraparound Supports 

In May 2024, Cook County announced an open call and Request for Qualifications from organizations that provide housing and additional supports to housing insecure residents. The overarching goal of Housing Services and Wraparound Supports (HSWS) initiative is to reduce community violence and prevent recidivism by enhancing housing options and additional supports for individuals, including those with criminal justice system involvement. 

Key Dates

  • Monday, June 3, 2024 - Formal Request for Qualifications published
  • Pre-Submittal Conference - Wednesday, June 12, 2024 at 1:00pm 
  • Monday, July 15, 2024, 5:00pm - Deadline Extended to submit response to Request for Qualifications

Request for Qualifications

The request for qualifications (RFQ) is available under the downloads section. The RFQ document includes an overview of the initiative as well as the eligibility guidelines and application process for the funding opportunity.

Application

Responses to the Request for Qualifications must be submitted via the Cook County Grants Management Portal: 

Submit an Application

Information and Questions

 

 

 

 

Cook County Starting Block Grants

In 2023, Cook County launched the Starting Block Grant Initiative with a $5 million investment in capacity building grants to community-based organizations serving Cook County residents. In 2024, a subsequent grant award cycle was made of nearly $3 million, bringing the total investment to $7,838,762 in grants that support 81 organizations in Cook County. Starting Block Grants provide up to $100,000 over two years to small and medium sized organizations looking to build internal capacity and develop their infrastructure to promote organizational health, growth and sustainability.

The grant opportunity is open to community-based organizations in diverse sectors, including Arts and Culture, Community and Economic Development, Education, Health and Human Services, and Violence Prevention. To be eligible, organizations must have non-profit status and an annual operating budget under $1 million. This initiative goes beyond traditional grants for organizations to deliver services and allows them to focus on strengthening how they run.

Application

Cook County Starting Block Grant application materials:

  1. Grant Application

  2. Budget Form 

    Budget Form Instructions: Fill in year 1 and 2 budgets on the corresponding tabs. The 'total summary budget' tab will auto populate with totals based on the content you enter. 

  3. Appendix

*Application materials also available under the downloads section. 

*Los documentos de solicitud en español están disponibles en la sección de descargas.

Submit an Application 

Applications for Cook County Starting Block Grants are accepted on rolling basis. To apply, submit all components detailed in the Grant Application via the online application form: 

  Online Application Form - English *Application instructions are provided in the Grant Application document.

  Online Application Form - Spanish/Español *Las instrucciones de solicitud se proporcionan en el documento de solicitud de subvención.

Due to the overwhelming response to the initial application cycle for Cook County Starting Block Grants, applications submitted after September 8, 2023 will be considered for the next round of funding in Cook County fiscal year 2025, based on the availability of funds. 

Information and Questions

  • Cook County held a virtual information session to help organizations prepare for the grant application process. The information session covered eligibility criteria, the application process, and provided an opportunity for questions. View the recording or presentation slides.
  • A Pre-Submittal Conference was held to provide prospective applicant organizations an opportunity to receive information on the funding opportunity and ask questions. View the recording or presentation slides. 
  • Questions and answers for this funding opportunity have been complied and are available to the public here and under the downloads section. 
  • For information on the administration of the opportunity and grant recipients, view the grant award overview.

 

 

Initiatives

Below are the current grant initiatives and investments being managed by the Cook County Justice Advisory Council.

 

 

 

 

 

Cook County Reconnect: Rental Assistance and Services for Returning Residents

Status: Funding Opportunity Closed

Cook County allocated $23 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding for a reentry initiative managed by the and the Justice Advisory Council with support from housing partners including the Housing Authority of Cook County. Cook County Reconnect provides rental assistance and services to returning residents in Cook County. Under the initiative, $7 million dollars is available for community-based organizations to provide qualifying wraparound services to individuals returning to their communities following a period of incarceration.

The following categories of services are eligible for funding:

  1. Case Management Services including needs assessments, transition planning, connecting to and navigating services and support
  2. Legal Support including expungement, petitions and record sealing
  3. Housing Access Advocacy including assistance with finding housing, communicating with landlords and advocating for legal rights
  4. Employment Supports including job readiness training, job placement and entrepreneurship opportunities
  5. Healthcare Services including physical, mental and behavioral health services and substance abuse support
  6. Educational Supports including GED and literacy programs, certification programs and special education services

Information and Questions

  • View or download the request for qualifications (RFQ) for the Rental Assistance and Services for Retuning Residents initiative here, or under the downloads section.
  • A virtual information session was hosted to provide an overview of the initiative and information on eligibility for the funding opportunity. View the recorded info session a Question & Answer session, or download the presentation slides.
  • The Justice Advisory Council hosted a virtual pre-submittal conference to share guidance on applying for funding via the RFQ process and to provide an opportunity for questions and answers. View the recording or presentation slides.
  • Questions and answers for this funding opportunity have been complied and are available to the public here and under the downloads section. 

 

 

 

 

 

Domestic Violence Intervention and Support Services

Status: Funding Opportunity Closed

Cook County has allocated $5 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding for domestic violence intervention and support. Funding will be available to organizations providing eligible services for survivors and those impacted by domestic violence in Chicago and Suburban Cook County.

The Domestic Violence Intervention and Support Services initiative was designed as a direct response to increased levels of gender-based violence experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative will fund services in four main categories:

  1. Counseling for survivors of domestic violence and for those who have caused harm
  2. Legal support including assistance in navigating the court system and preparing and accompanying victims and survivors in court
  3. Advocacy support in connecting victims and survivors to resources through direct services, resource referrals, and staffing crisis hotlines
  4. Housing supports for victims and survivors of domestic violence including rapid re-housing, shelters, hotel-based housing, and more

Information and Questions

  • View or download the request for qualifications (RFQ) for the Domestic Violence Intervention and Support Services Initiative here, or under the downloads section.
  • A virtual information session was hosted to provide an overview of the initiative and information on eligibility for the funding opportunity. View the recording and presentation slides.
  • The Justice Advisory Council hosted a virtual pre-submittal conference to share guidance on applying for funding via the RFQ process and to provide an opportunity for questions and answers. View the recording and presentation slides.
  • Questions and answers for this funding opportunity have been complied and are available here and under the downloads section. 

 

Cook County Gun Violence Prevention and Reduction Grants

 

 

 

 

 

Gun Violence Prevention and Reduction Grants

Status: Funding Opportunity Closed

In 2022 and 2023, the Justice Advisory Council conducted the solicitation and award process for the Cook County Gun Violence Prevention and Reduction grant initiative. $85 million in grants funded via the American Rescue Plan Act, federal Covid-19 recovery initiative were made to community-based service providers providing eligible violence prevention services in areas of Chicago and Suburban Cook County with the highest instances of gun violence. An additional $25 million of grants have been awarded by the JAC through a partnership with the Illinois Department of Human Services, Office of Firearm Violence Prevention.

Information and Questions

Learn more about Cook County's American Rescue Plan Act funding plan.

 

Capacity Building and Support

Cook County Capacity Building Workshops are designed to support organizations in developing compelling grant proposals and programs. Capacity Building Workshops are presented by Cook County partner, Guidehouse, on behalf of the Justice Advisory Council. Workshops are open to the public and meant to support organizations seeking to apply for grant funding from any source or entity.

 

 

 

 

Recorded Workshops

Grant Applications Workshop 2022 - View workshop slides & recording

Program Design Workshop 2022 - View workshop slides & recording

Monitoring and Reporting Workshop 2022 - View workshop slides & recording

 

 

 

Grant Application Review Panels

Grantmaking that fills community needs, increases community safety and reduces reliance on incarceration is central to the mission of the Justice Advisory Council. Cook County employees and residents have the opportunity to apply to participate on a grant application review panel for grant opportunities offered by the Cook County Justice Advisory Council. The purpose of the review panel is to objectively review and evaluate a group of applications based on an established rubric. Please note that this is a non-paid volunteer position. Training will be provided for individuals who are selected to participate on a grant review panel.

To apply, complete the following steps:

  1. Review the Requirements for Grant Review Panelists (available under downloads) detailing the guidelines and requirements for the position
  2. Complete the online application form
  3. Send a current resume or CV to JAC Grants Coordinator: Juandalynn.Johnson@cookcountyil.gov

The Justice Advisory Council evaluates submissions for Grant Review Panelists on a rolling basis and notifies individuals of their application status via email. If selected for an upcoming grant evaluation, individuals will be required to complete a Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality form before their appointment as Grant Review Panelist is final.

Downloads