Award allocations will be based on the total number of applicants, completeness of applications, expense eligibility, organizational need, community benefit, and organizational operating budget size. No cash match is required.

Committee members may consider the following factors in their evaluation:

• Organization is a qualifying and eligible entity.
• Impact of COVID-19 is clear and demonstrated and program designed to respond the impact is direct and reasonably proportional.
• Impact of other Federal, County, or City assistance received, alone or in comparison to other applicants.
• Fiscal and administrative capacity to administer the funding in compliance with requirements.
• Grant budget is provided, reasonable, and aligns with eligible expenses.
• Alignment of the request with the County’s mission and vision.
• Demonstrated partnership with other community entities.
• The impact the funding request will have on under-served groups and local community.
• Program delivery that includes communication in multiple languages, appropriate care around cultural sensitivities, and targeted outreach to underrepresented, underserved, or historically marginalized populations.
• If the applicant has received, or intends to receive, alternate funding from other federal or state sources for the same request.
• If the applicant has previously administered or been awarded federal funds.
• Applicants’ quality of key performance indicators submitted to monitor the program’s success.
• Anticipated long-term impact the funding will create within Will County.
• Applicant’s identification of outcomes and impacts that will remain after the program’s initial implementation phase, if funded.
• Applicants’ readiness to fund and capacity for implementation.
• Organization and program viability – will the program continue to be sustainable without continued funding support from Will County or other temporary funding sources.
• Ability to fully expend funds by December 31, 2026.
• Other factors as deemed appropriate by the panel members.

Below is a list of additional required documentation for all applicants that ARE NOT located within a disproportionately impacted area or QCT area:

• Copy of 2019, 2020, and 2021 Tax Returns
• Copy of 2019, 2020, and 2021 fiscal year audited financial statements for the organization including the following:
  • Statement of Financial Position
  • Income statement
  • Cashflow statement
  • Statement of Activities
  • If audited statements are not available, unaudited statements with a certification from the small business owner is required
• Projected revenue and expenditure totals for fiscal year 2022
• Additional Evidence to demonstrate a negative economic impact was sustained:
  • Copies of invoices demonstrating an increase in operations cost since March 1, 2020 (If applicable).
  • Past-due Mortgage/Rent Statements (If applicable).
  • Past-due utility bills (If applicable).
  • Evidence of reduced or inhibited fund-raising activities due to COVID-19 (if applicable).
  • Copies of invoices or evidence of COVID-19 related expenses incurred (if applicable).

Evidence or statements demonstrating a loss of funds or income due to COVID-19 (if applicable – must be certified by the business owner).

Will County staff, elected officials, and ARPA consultant, Anser Advisory, will review grant applications for completeness and eligibility. Applicants may be asked to revise proposals or provide additional information.

Complete and eligible applications will then be reviewed by a committee.

All nonprofit, governmental and business organizations offered a grant who choose to accept the grant will be required to sign a non-negotiable affidavit, waiver, and release form prior to payment being made. The affidavit will require the applicant to declare that all information contained in the application is true and correct and can be used as admissible evidence in any legal proceeding against the company if the County attempted to recoup any grant funds provided under false pretenses.

Grant awards will be made in the form of an agreement executed between the applicant and the County. The grant period, scope, allowable budget, and reporting requirements will be outlined in a grant agreement between the applicant organization and the County. All awarded funds for new programming/activities must be expended no later than December 31, 2026. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in disqualification from future grant cycles. Additional information may be required at the County’s discretion, based on the usage of funds.

Reports on expenditures and beneficiaries will be required quarterly. Additionally, an Exit Report will be required at the end of each grant agreement. Awardees must submit the Exit Report to the Will County Executive Office by December 31, 2026. Failure to submit required reporting may result in disqualification from future grant cycles.