Hanson Hosts Virtual Grant Workshop with DCEO and United Way

MONTGOMERY, Ill. — State Rep. Matt Hanson, D-Montgomery, hosted a workshop last week to help inform the community attendees about funding opportunities and grant resources available to them through the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and local United Way organizations.

“Our goal with this event was to help people navigate the process of applying for and receiving a grant, whether that be for a business, a nonprofit, or for personal reasons,” said Hanson. “Accessing these opportunities begins with understanding of how these systems—some of which can seem daunting or complicated—work.”

The event was held virtually last Monday, March 30th, with contributions from the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity and the Batavia and Fox Valley United Ways. The nearly 50 organizations that attended were able to learn more about grant lifecycles, how to access different funding opportunities, qualifications and compliance requirements for grants, and the state resources available to them. Specifically for up-and-coming nonprofit organizations, this information increases the potential to thrive; the knowledge of the state’s financial support opportunities and how to go about seizing them is crucial.

“Grants are a lifeline to the incredible work in our community. Thank you to the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity and the Batavia and Fox Valley United Ways for bringing this vital information to those in our district. It was a great learning experience for everyone involved, myself included,” Hanson said. 

For more information on grants and funding opportunities, visit the Illinois Catalog of State Financial Assistance or DCEO’s grant page.