Waukegan Community Development Block Grant

The City of Waukegan, in collaboration with Lake County and the City of North Chicago, is offering funding opportunities through the Program Year Consolidated Application process for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) programs. These funds aim to support organizations providing essential public services to low- and moderate-income (LMI) residents in the region. The program reflects the priorities established in the region’s Consolidated Plan, focusing on housing, homelessness support, social services, and economic development. The Waukegan CDBG program specifically supports organizations that offer services within the city limits of Waukegan and have demonstrable success in previous programming. Only agencies with existing operational history, statistically supported demographic outcomes, and verified goal achievement are eligible; new or startup programs will not be considered. Services funded under this program must align with one or more of Waukegan’s approved goals: support for housing and homelessness operations, public services for vulnerable populations, and initiatives that promote employment and redevelopment opportunities. Eligible applicants include governmental units, public and private nonprofit entities that serve residents of Waukegan. Agencies must demonstrate good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State and submit proof of residency and income verification as part of intake documentation. Additionally, participation in an in-person review with the Stakeholders Participation Panel is a mandatory step for funding consideration. Applications must be submitted both electronically and in hard copy by 4:00 PM on December 15, 2025. Ten physical copies—one complete and nine budget-only—must be delivered to the City of Waukegan’s CDBG Department. Electronic copies should be submitted via email to the specified inbox. All applications must follow detailed formatting requirements and include necessary attachments, such as audit reports, nonprofit certifications, and proof of registration in the federal System for Award Management (SAM). Funding for Waukegan CDBG ranges from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $25,000 per project, contingent upon the final 2026 HUD budget. A minimum 25% match from non-federal sources is required. The estimated total available funding for this program is $110,000. Funded projects will be selected through a scoring process that assesses proposal quality, agency experience, financial stability, alignment with community needs, and the feasibility and measurability of proposed outcomes. The program operates on an annual cycle. While applications close in December 2025, review and hearings will take place in early 2026, with final approvals expected between April and May. There is no appeals process for Waukegan CDBG decisions. Successful applicants should be prepared to deliver detailed, outcome-based reporting aligned with performance targets as established in the application.

Applications must include clear, measurable outcomes and demonstrate past performance. Startups not eligible. Panel presentations are required.