PR – Wildlife Restoration (FY24)
🏛 Illinois Department of Natural Resources
✓ Free, no account · Source: Illinois GATA Catalog (CSFA) · Last verified Jun 1, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for Illinois organizations and entities working to restore, conserve, and manage wild birds and mammals and their habitats. Eligible applicants typically include state agencies, conservation organizations, municipalities, and other entities with capacity to manage wildlife projects. Supported activities include habitat restoration, wildlife population management, hunter education and safety programs, and shooting range development. Public access to wildlife resources and habitat enhancement are also fundable. Geographic focus is limited to Illinois only.
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Program description
Projects to restore, conserve, manage, and enhance wild birds and mammals and their habitat. Projects also include providing public use and access to wildlife resources; hunter education and safety; and the development and management of shooting ranges. USFWS Wildlife Restoration Funding Federal Assistance Listing: 15.611. Administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources via the Illinois GATA Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA 422-20-0109).
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- Project narrative with objectives and expected outcomes
- Detailed budget and budget narrative
- Letters of support or partnership agreements (if applicable)
- Proof of organizational capacity and qualifications
Program contact
- 👤 Lois Kanter
- 📧 lois.kanter@illinois.gov
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 15.611 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$41,174,207
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$40,593,378
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$40,440,828
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$39,006,377
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$38,702,743
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$38,241,132
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$37,415,361
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$34,253,344
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$34,187,455
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$34,178,720
Top States by Funding
- NY 7 awards $179.9M
- TN 5 awards $164.7M
- AZ 4 awards $146.1M
- AK 6 awards $124.8M
- WI 4 awards $103.9M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Eligible applicants include state agencies, conservation organizations, and municipalities. Specific eligibility depends on USFWS 15.611 requirements; check with IDNR for the full list.
What types of projects are funded?
Wildlife restoration, habitat management, hunter education, shooting range development, and public access to wildlife resources.
Is cost-sharing required?
No cost-sharing match is required for this grant.
When is the deadline?
This is a rolling program with no fixed deadline. Contact IDNR for current application windows and funding availability.
What's the typical award range?
Awards range from $10,000 to $10,000,000 depending on project scope and funding availability.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Contact IDNR early to understand current funding priorities and eligible project types. Rolling deadlines mean you should apply as soon as your proposal is ready.
- Clearly connect your project to wildlife restoration or public access goals. Vague conservation descriptions won't be competitive.
- Document community support or partnerships with other agencies. Collaborative projects strengthen applications.
- Budget realistically and tie all costs directly to stated objectives. Inflated budgets raise red flags.
- Use data and baseline conditions to justify why your project is needed. Show specific conservation outcomes you'll achieve.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Failing to align projects with USFWS 15.611 requirements and IDNR priorities results in quick rejections. Vague habitat goals without measurable outcomes or baseline data weaken competitiveness. Poor budget justification or costs unrelated to wildlife restoration objectives cause funding denials.
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