Carolyn Adams Ticket for the Cure - Community Outreach Grant

The Carolyn Adams Ticket for the Cure Community Outreach Grant is administered by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) through its Office of Women’s Health and Family Services. The program was established under Public Act 94-0120, which created the Illinois Ticket for the Cure instant lottery ticket. Net revenue from this lottery funds grants aimed at supporting breast cancer research, education, and services for breast cancer survivors across Illinois. For the fiscal year 2026, the focus of this funding opportunity is to promote equity in breast cancer outcomes through community outreach and education efforts. The grant supports initiatives that increase awareness of breast cancer risks, promote screening, and provide educational outreach to underserved and high-risk populations. Eligible outreach activities include educational programs for businesses and community groups, participation in health and wellness fairs, and initiatives that provide support services for women receiving abnormal screening results, connecting them to treatment and care. The overarching goals of the program include increasing breast cancer awareness, improving knowledge of risk factors and prevention strategies, boosting screening rates among high-risk groups, and fostering collaboration between health professionals and community organizations. The funding available totals $750,000, with anticipated awards ranging from $0 to $50,000 per grant. Between 10 to 15 awards are expected. The grant duration spans 12 months, from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. There are no matching fund requirements, and indirect costs are permitted under the program guidelines. The application period runs from June 5, 2025, to July 7, 2025, with applications submitted electronically via the Illinois Department of Public Health’s EGrAMS portal. A voluntary technical assistance session will be held on June 18, 2025, to support prospective applicants. Eligible applicants include health departments and community-based organizations with 501(c)(3) status. Organizations must register through the State of Illinois Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) portal and complete a prequalification process. Additional eligibility criteria include having an active UEI number and SAM registration, and meeting financial and legal standing requirements. Each organization may submit only one application, and it is preferred that applicants choose between this grant and a related Patient Navigation grant. Applications are evaluated on criteria such as organizational capacity, community needs assessment, project scope and work plan, budget justification, and commitment to health equity. The review process includes consideration of how well the application addresses the IDPH Health Equity Checklist and related priorities. Successful applicants will be notified in July 2025, with funding commencing on July 1, 2025. Mandatory reporting requirements include quarterly and end-of-year performance reports submitted through EGrAMS. Contact for the grant is Sarah O'Connor at sarah.oconnor@illinois.gov or (217) 524-9297.