This is a reimbursement‑only grant. Grant recipients are responsible for paying project costs up front and then submitting reimbursement requests with supporting documentation as described in the Subrecipient Agreement. Reimbursement requests may be submitted no more frequently than monthly and no less frequently than annually.

Yes. This is a reimbursement‑only grant, so applicants should plan for how project costs will be covered before reimbursement. Feeding Illinois will share information about potential short‑term financing resources for awarded grantees.

Because the grant is tied to the state fiscal year, extensions are unlikely. Applicants should plan timelines carefully to complete eligible purchases by June 30, 2026.

Because the grant is tied to the state fiscal year, applicants should plan timelines carefully. If a project cannot be completed by the end of the state fiscal year, the applicant may request rollover to December 31, 2026; rollover is considered on a case‑by‑case basis.

If a project cannot be completed by the end of the state fiscal year (June 30, 2026), successful applicants may be eligible to rollover grant budgeted, unused grant funds as of 6/30/26 into SFY 2027. Any funding carried forward must be expended by 12/31/2026. 

All rollover requests are at the discretion of the Awarding Agency and are based on sufficient appropriation and performance criteria including, but not limited to: 

• Grantee has performed satisfactorily during the previous reporting period.

• All required reports have been submitted on time, unless the Awarding Agency has provided a written exception.

• No outstanding issues are present (e.g., in good standing with all pre-qualification requirements and no outstanding corrective action, etc.)

Awardees are required to submit three vendor quotes with reimbursement documentation to support the reasonableness of the purchase price.

Yes. A (1:1) match of non-State funds is required for capacity-building grants (i.e., a minimum overall matching contribution of 100% of the grant award is required).

• This must include a minimum cash match of 50% of the grant amount from the recipient's own funds, private donations, or local/federal government funds.

• The remaining 50% of the match may be provided as in-kind (non-cash) match to meet the total required 100% match. In-kind contributions

  • Non-monetary assets such as the value of volunteer time, donated equipment, services, or use of space. The value of in-kind contributions must be reasonable and accurately documented. 

EXAMPLE: If your application for an irrigation system has anticipated total costs of 175K, your application must clearly outline that the applicant is contributing 87,500, and is seeking an 87,500 grant.

The required match contributions can be in the form of:

• Cash contributions: Actual money from the recipient's own equity investments, private or philanthropic donations, or local/state government funds.

• In-kind contributions: Non-monetary assets such as the value of donated labor/volunteer time, donated equipment, materials, services, or space directly related to the approved project supporting the objectives of the Farm to Food Bank Program.

  • The value of in-kind contributions must be reasonable and accurately documented. 

Match waivers may be considered on a case-by-case basis if approved by the administering entity and Advisory Council. Food banks are not eligible for a match waiver.

No. Food banks are not eligible for a match waiver and must provide the full match.

Yes. Indirect costs may be applied up to a maximum 15% de minimis, if eligible, and must be approved through ICRES.

Pre-award costs may be allowed only with prior review and approval and must be clearly identified and justified in the budget narrative. Otherwise, they are incurred at the applicant’s risk.