Section 120.30  Application Requirements

a)         IEMA-OHS will make grant awards through a competitive application process to organizations that meet the eligibility requirements in Section 120.20 and that are approved for funding based upon a completed and approved application. Grant awards shall be made contingent on funding.

b)         Eligible organizations may apply for funding for one site or multiple sites as long as the maximum funding amounts identified in the NOFO are not exceeded.  Each site must have its own application and vulnerability assessment.

c)         On the application, applicants shall:

1)         Indicate the legal name of the applicant;

2)         Provide a point of contact for the project including email address;

3)         Provide documentation confirming the applicant meets the requirement in Section 120.20(a).  Applicants shall provide documentation indicating they are exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the federal Internal Revenue Code or exempt from the requirements of Section 501(c)(3);

4)         Provide a specific description of the applicant's profile, ideology, mission, and beliefs and a specific explanation of how the organization is high risk for threats, attacks, or acts of terrorism;

5)         Provide documentation or a narrative indicating compliance with Section 120.30(d).

6)         Provide specific evidence and information identifying and substantiating a high risk designation, including prior or current threats, attacks, or acts of terrorism against the not-for-profit organization.  The applicant may also include information regarding threats, attacks, or acts of terrorism against other similar organizations that have the same profile, ideology, mission, or beliefs that they believe helps substantiate the high risk designation for their organization;

7)         Indicate the symbolic or strategic value of one or more of the applicant's sites that renders the project site a high risk for the target of a threat, attack, or act of terrorism;

8)         Describe the proposed project and discuss potential consequences to the organization if the project site is damaged, destroyed, or disrupted by a threat, attack, or act of terrorism. 

9)         Describe how the grant funds will be used to integrate organizational preparedness with broader State and local preparedness efforts as described by the Agency in the State of Illinois Homeland Security Strategy 2024-2028;

10)       Submit a vulnerability assessment conducted by experienced security, law enforcement, or military personnel, or an agency-approved or federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program self-assessment tool within the last three years, or since the most recent security improvements if they occurred within the last three years.  If a self-assessment tool is used, provide a list of law enforcement officials or other subject matter experts consulted, if applicable;

11)       Describe how the grant award and proposed project will be used to address the vulnerabilities identified pursuant to subsection (c)(10).

12)       Provide a description of any equipment compatibility considerations;

13)       Provide a project budget and timeline;

14)       If the project affects leased property, provide a copy of a long-term lease agreement that extends a minimum of five years from the date of the application or provide a written attestation/commitment to remain at the leased property for this period of time; and

15)       Submit any other relevant information requested by IEMA-OHS to support or supplement the information provided in the grant application.

d)         The Illinois State Agency Historic Resources Preservation Act [20 ILCS 3420/4] requires notification to and review by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) of State agency undertakings (including projects funded by State grants) that can result in changes in the character or use of historic property, if any historic property is located in the area of potential effects.  Applicants should confirm prior to submitting an application that this requirement is not applicable. Further information concerning this requirement can be found at https://www2.illinois.gov/dnrhistoric/Pages/default.aspx.  Applicants can also contact IEMA-OHS's State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) Coordinator with questions.