The FundBook IL State Edition
June 2011
Helping communities find the federal funding they need.
The View from Illinios State Extension battle persists
May has been a teeter-totter for finalizing the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s budget. Both the House and Senate passed their versions of the Illinois Department of Agriculture budget in mid-May: H.B. 124 and S.B. 2408. Some Legislators have their eye on reductions for the University of Illinois Extension, which offers educational programs aimed at making life better, healthier, safer and more profitable for Illinois individuals and their communities. More than 2 ½ million Illinois residents currently participate in Extension programs each year, including 300,000 who take part in 4-H youth programs. The Senate’s version of the bill proposes to make 5 percent and 7 percent reductions to parts of the Illinois Department of Agriculture budget. Soil and Water Conservation Districts could see cuts of 10 percent and several programs would be eliminated, including the state funding match of county-generated revenue for University of Illinois Extension, approximately $10.8 million in funding. The potential budget cuts would make it impossible for the Extension to tackle environmental issues, urban food and farming, financial literacy, and health – all the challenges of the future. It was only a short year ago that massive budget cuts forced a huge statewide reorganization throughout the Extension and many have already seen their county offices merge into regional offices that now serve three or four counties. The House’s version would cut the Illinois Department of Agriculture budget by 5 percent and unlike the Senate’s proposal the House plan does not eliminate whole p. ~ The Fundbook - IL | June 2011
June Tip Tac Toe: Sign Your Grant Away
Whether you have inherited grant writing at your agency or you are a seasoned professional writer, surely by now you realize how critical signatures are for grant preparation and submission. During your design meeting or planning stage determine what signatures are required and by whom; immediately find out what procedures are required and the time involved to get each signature, and then integrate these steps into your timeline. Recently, when working on a grant with a long-time client, I was reminded of my own advice. Many grants require the signature of the city mayor and many grants we had written, had received the mayor’s signature; we had the process down. But, what happens when it is now a new mayor? It means a new process and no longer a oneweek timeline at that. No one told me! It was an extra crunch and one you don’t want to deal with while preparing a grant application. §
programs. By late May, Extension partners were reporting that the most drastic cuts might be avoided--with the possible exception of the money that has been allocated to the Extension’s Cook County program, approximately $2.9 million. It is unfortunate for the county, as this funding is deserved and needed for programming unique to its urban population, including the state’s largest, most active Master Gardner program, which trains and organizes volunteers for a variety of horticultural and green projects all over Chicago. Extension partners are suggesting supporters to contact legislators and ask them to support the House’s version of the Department of Agriculture’s budget, H.B. 124 House Amendment #1. §
Affects on job outsourcing
With the state economy still in recovery
www.fundbook.org
Meggie Chapman & Associates is committed to providing
our clients with the ability to acquire valuable information, assess needs and goals, create and enhance programs, cultivate relationships, leverage funding, and evaluate and continuously improve performance through our top-notch grant development firm.
Meggie Chapman & Associates understands that no one entity
has the same fundraising or evaluation needs. We strongly believe in providing a full-range of customized and value-added consulting services to each client. Each client, short-term and long-term, is considered our partner. For the past eight years, Meggie Chapman and her team have partnered with educational institutions, government agencies, non-profit organizations, corporations and small businesses in support of their respective missions.
Meggie Chapman & Associates’ personalized process consists of a unique, multi-pronged approach that includes research, design, writing, editing, technical support and evaluation. These established processes and our 21st Century innovation and extensive network of highly-qualified consultants enables us to offer efficient and affordable services, as well as products that we are proud to stand behind. A pure demonstration of the firm’s efficacy is their success at raising millions in funding and connecting clients with valuable knowledge, resources and partnerships. Our ultimate goal is to assist each client to achieve their goals, further their mission and meet their needs.
To get started on your project today or to learn more about how our firm can tailor services to meet your specific needs, please contact Meggie Chapman at: Phone 602-672-3064 Fax 866-422-6024 info@meggiechapmanandassociates.com www.fundbook.org
June 2011 | The Fundbook - IL ~ p.
from the recession, many people argue that now is not the time to be sending jobs overseas. The types of jobs that are vulnerable to outsourcing have increased dramatically over the past five years. H.B.1624 aims to reduce outsourcing occurrences by creating the Job Preservation Act of 2011. The proposed act would make companies that lose 100 or more employees due to outsourcing of jobs ineligible to receive procurement contracts with the state, units of local government, or school districts, and ineligible to receive government grants, loans, tax incentives, or other economic incentives. It would also require certain companies to notify the Department of Labor about the loss, and in turn, the Department would be required to provide written notice of the loss to the Governor, General Assembly, state agencies, units of local governments, and school districts. These measures seem to have a two-fold affect, to deter companies from outsourcing jobs and bypassing American workers, and to give first rights to local government resources and incentives to companies choosing to invest in and build-up the local economy. Although important, one might say this adds another layer of work and tracking requirements by cash-strapped agencies with already limited manpower. §
manufacturing company in order to foster job creation and retention in Illinois. It would also authorize the Department of Revenue to award a tax credit to taxpayer-employers who apply for the credit and meet certain Illinois labor expenditure requirements. Minimum requirements and procedures for certifying a taxpayer as an “accredited manufacturer” would be set for awarding the credit. In addition, credit seekers would need to employ workers in the state of Illinois and demonstrate specific benefits are provided to those workers. An evaluation of the program will be conducted and compared to similar programs in other states to determine the length and continuation of the program. If the Bill is passed into law, the Credit will be effective immediately. § This article was contributed by Meggie Chapman of Meggie Chapman & Associates. Meggie Chapman is very knowledgable of the grants and funding territory in IL and works with local governments and non-profits on grants-related services there.
Possible creation of a Manufacturing Job Credit Lawmakers realize the manufacturing sector is a critical part of the Illinois economy’s foundation. Thus, proposed H.B.1143 would create the Manufacturing Job Destination Tax Credit Act and amend the Illinois Income Tax Act. The Credit supported by the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association would provide a credit of 25 percent of the Illinois labor expenditures made by a p. ~ The Fundbook - IL | June 2011
www.fundbook.org
Helping communities secure the federal funding they need The FundBook bridges the gap between your needs and those sources of federal funding available to your community. With a list of features that is growing each month, the FundBook can help you… • Stay Organized – User-friendly features help you sort through the federal funding quagmire and locate quality grants. • Gain Access – Expert insights into the federal assistance programs that matter to you. • Prioritize Effectively – Tools to help your community navigate the federal funding process.
How We Help:
Hundreds of communities across the nation are using the FundBook to navigate an increasing array of federal funding opportunities available to cities and counties each year. Designed to give local government leaders a commanding view of the federal funding process, each issue promotes and educates a do-it-yourself approach to pursuing assistance in Washington, D.C. and working with the federal agencies. The FundBook is designed to be the most userfriendly federal funding resource for all sizes of local government.
ues To begin receiving iss of the FundBook, visit
w w w .fu nd bo ok .o rg an d si gn up fo r ou r em ai l lis t.
Why Us?
Unlike other news magazines or government relations products designed for local governments, the FundBook endeavors to provide specific, actionable advice rather than general news and policy information. Drawing upon the grant and appropriations experience of our staff and contributors, we strive to give our readers the tools needed to stay on top of the federal funding process every step of the way.
Sign up
for the FundBook today and join a growing list of cities and counties that are maximizing their ability to secure federal funding. Plus, check back with us soon as we grow our capabilities at the state-level! www.fundbook.org www.fundbook.org
June 2011 | The Fundbook - IL ~ p.