Honor Grants

Phone Number
(312) 603-6423
Email
Veterans.Affairs@cookcountyil.gov
Service Information

About Honor Grants

Please note: Honor Grants final deadline extension is Friday, August 18, 2023. 

The Cook County Department of Veterans Affairs is awarding an additional $100,000 in funding for nonprofit organizations that have existing programs for veterans and their families that provide resources and services to address mental health, education and job placement, home and food security in addition to making benefits more accessible. Nonprofit organizations who have experienced significant revenue loss during the COVID-19 pandemic and require support to sustain and expand existing programs for veterans are encouraged to apply.

Last year, CCVA awarded $1.4 million in Honor Grants to 18 nonprofits. This year, CCVA will distribute 10 $10,000 grants, bringing the total amount of Honor Grant funding awarded to $1.5 million. 2022 recipients are listed below.

Organizations that received $100,000 awards:

  • A Safe Haven Foundation
  • Benjamin O. Davis VFW Post 311
  • Chicago Lighthouse
  • Featherfist, Inc.
  • Illinois Armed Forces Legal Aid Network
  • Leave No Veteran Behind
  • New Pisgah Community Service Organization
  • Office for Military-Affiliated Communities
  • The Village Legal and Community Project
  • Volunteers of America of Illinois, Inc.

Organizations that received $50,000 awards:

  • Arthur Lockhart Resource Institute
  • Dion's Chicago Dream
  • Illinois Joining Forces Foundation
  • IMD Guest House Foundation Road Home
  • Merging Vets and Players
  • Military Outreach USA
  • Northwest Compass, Inc.
  • The Inner Voice, Inc.

How to Apply

Eligibility

  • Nonprofit organizations with at least three years of experience serving Cook County veterans
  • Ability to demonstrate lost revenue or significant increase in veteran service population that exceeds revenue growth
  • Willing to monitor and quantify program effectiveness

Funding

CCVA will award 10 $10,000 grants.

Required Documentation

To apply for an Honor Grant, applicants must complete:

  1. Written application form (click to download fillable PDF)
  2. Budget and narrative form (click to download .xls file)
  3. Supporting documentation (as applicable)
    • Summary information of their organization
    • Contact information, including email of the organization’s executive director and personnel responsible for program management
    • Documentation of their 501(c)3 status
    • A certificate of good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State
    • Recent financial statements
    • An overview of what the organization plans to do with the grant
    • Documentation of any recent litigation to which they have been a party
    • A conflict-of-interest statement
    • At least one letter of recommendation
  4. Once all materials above are complete, submit using the online webform at the bottom of this page.

    Missed Our Webinar? Watch the Recorded Session Below!

    CCVA hosted a virtual webinar on Tuesday, May 30 to help nonprofit organizations develop compelling grant proposals. In case you missed it, watch the recorded session below.

    Download the PowerPoint presentation slides used during the webinar.

    Watch the session on the County's YouTube channel here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZCXbEjevIw

    Key Dates

    • May 17, 2023 - Online application period opens
    • May 30, 2023 - Virtual assistance webinar
    • August 18, 2023 - Applications close at 11:59 p.m. CST
    • September - Applications reviewed
    • late September - Honor Grant awardees announced

    Application Evaluation

    Applications will be evaluated on a 100 point scale. View the Honor Grants Evaluation Criteria document for more information.

    Questions

    Email all questions and concerns to Veterans Affairs at veterans.affairs@cookcountyil.gov.

    To receive information and updates as additional programs for veterans are launched, sign up to receive the County's Department of Veterans Affairs newsletter.

    Downloads