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

Suburban Cook County Wraparound Services for Survivors of Gun Violence

In 2026, up to $5 million in grant funding will be available under the Suburban Cook County Wraparound Services for Survivors of Gun Violence (SCC-SGV) initiative. This funding opportunity is open community based, non-profit organizations that provide select services and operate in Suburban Cook County.

SCC-SGV will fund services for survivors and those directly impacted by gun violence including clinical services, financial assistance, trauma-informed programming and housing services. The initiative is designed to address gaps in services by focusing on three priorities: expanding existing services, increasing access and improving coordination of services in Suburban Cook County. 

Key Dates

  • Tuesday, December 16, 2025, 2:00 - 3:00pm – Virtual Information Session Register Here
  • Monday, December 29, 2025 – Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) released
  • Thursday, January 22, 2026, 1:00 - 2:00pm – Virtual Pre-Submittal Conference Register Here
  • Friday, February 6, 2026, 5:00pm CST – Application Deadline 

The virtual information session will provide prospective applicants with an overview of the funding opportunity including eligibility criteria and application guidelines. The Pre-Submittal Conference will offer additional details and include a question and answer session. 

Questions

Questions may be submitted to JAC.info@CookCountyIL.gov through Sunday, January 25, 2026. Questions and answers will be published on Thursday, January 29, 2026.

Application

The link to apply will available here following the release of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

 

Initiatives

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

Cook County Community Violence Intervention Grants & Wraparound Services for Survivors of Gun Violence

In February 2024, Cook County announced two complementary grant initiatives designed to improve community safety in Cook County. Cook County Community Violence Intervention Grants (CC-CVI) will provide up to $20 million of funding for community-based services to reach and support residents who are at risk of being involved in instances of gun violence. The Cook County Wraparound Services for Survivors of Gun Violence (CC-SGV) initiative will provide up to $10 million in funding for services to support survivors of gun violence and their families. 

Both grant opportunities are open to community-based non-profit organizations located and providing services in Cook County. 

Information and Questions

  • The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for CC-CVI and CC-SGV are linked and available under the downloads section.
  • Virtual Information Session: View the recorded information session or download the presentation slides.
  • Pre-submittal Conference: View the recorded Pre-Submittal Conference or download the presentation slides.
  • Questions pertaining to the CC-CVI and CC-SGV funding opportunities received through Friday, April 4, 2025, have been complied and answered and are available to the public here and under the downloads section. 

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. 

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.

Cook County anticipates initiating another round of Starting Block Grants in fiscal year 2026, based on the availability of funds. Organizations that submitted an application after the initial September 8, 2023 deadline will have the opportunity to be considered for the next round of funding.

Information and Questions

 

 

 

 

 

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.
  • Virtual Information Session: View the recorded info session a Question & Answer session, or download the presentation slides.
  • Pre-submittal Conference: 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.
  • Virtual Information Session: View the recording and presentation slides.
  • Pre-submittal conference: 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