Dr. Young Building Improvements Grant

The “Improvements to Dr. Young Building” grant is administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and is funded by the State of Illinois under Public Act 103-0589. This one-time initiative aims to address structural deterioration in a historic building located in Golconda, Illinois. The program was developed to prevent safety hazards, reopen Main Street (the city's primary thoroughfare), and stabilize the local economy by transforming the unsafe and partially collapsed Dr. Young Building into a functional community space. This grant provides financial assistance to support critical early-stage redevelopment efforts such as demolition, site clearing, and structural stabilization of the approximately 8,000-square-foot building. Due to the collapse, the structure has caused street closures, disrupting community and economic activity. The funding is intended to kick-start a broader redevelopment initiative that will allow for future productive use of the property. Funding available under this opportunity totals $41,500, with a single award expected. No cost sharing or matching funds are required, and indirect costs are allowed, provided applicants follow the necessary protocols to establish an approved indirect cost rate. This opportunity does permit reimbursement of pre-award costs. The period of performance will span from June 9, 2025, to June 9, 2026. Eligibility for this grant is strictly limited. Only volunteer-driven nonprofit organizations located in Golconda, Illinois, that possess jurisdiction to perform the proposed improvements are eligible. Applicants must be registered in the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) portal and meet several verification requirements, including valid FEIN, UEI, and SAM registrations, and good standing with both federal and state entities. Proof of eligibility is required at the time of application. Applicants must submit a complete package electronically by June 5, 2025, at 5:00 PM CST. Required components include a Uniform Grant Application, Uniform Budget (including all budget worksheets), Conflict of Interest Disclosure, Mandatory Disclosures, a Project Narrative, and proof of eligibility. The web submission form limits uploads to 10 documents, so file consolidation may be necessary. Applications will be scored on a 100-point scale using a merit-based review process, with criteria grouped into need (20 points), capacity (20 points), and quality (60 points). Proposals will be evaluated on their relevance to economic and safety needs, the applicant’s capacity to carry out the project, and the clarity and thoroughness of the project narrative and budget. Awards are based on the highest final average score, and applicants can appeal only the evaluation process—not the scores themselves—within 14 days of award notice.