State ANS Comprehensive Management Plan (FY25)
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations protecting and restoring the Great Lakes through habitat and species management. Public and private nonprofits, government agencies, and conservation organizations in the Great Lakes Basin can apply. Activities include habitat identification, protection, conservation, management, and restoration on both public and private lands. Projects should address high-priority actions aligned with the USFWS Great Lakes Restoration Program.
This grant is for organizations protecting and restoring the Great Lakes through habitat and species management. Public and private nonprofits, government agencies, and conservation organizations in the Great Lakes Basin can apply. Activities include habitat identification, protection, conservation, management, and restoration on both public and private lands. Projects should address high-priority actions aligned with the USFWS Great Lakes Restoration Program.
Program description
To provide technical and financial assistance to implement the highest priority actions in order to protect and restore the Great Lakes. Priority actions are to: identify, protect, conserve, manage, enhance or restore habitat or species on both public and private lands within the Great Lakes Basin USFWS Great Lakes Restoration Program Funding Federal Assistance Listing: 15.662. Administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources via the Illinois GATA Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA 422-20-0117).
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- Conservation Organization
- Nonprofits
- Public Authority
- Public K-12 School
- Small Business (SBA-defined)
Details
This grant is for organizations protecting and restoring the Great Lakes through habitat and species management. Public and private nonprofits, government agencies, and conservation organizations in the Great Lakes Basin can apply. Activities include habitat identification, protection, conservation, management, and restoration on both public and private lands. Projects should address high-priority actions aligned with the USFWS Great Lakes Restoration Program.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- Application form (via Illinois GATA/CSFA system)
- Project narrative and scope of work
- Budget and budget justification
- Organizational capacity documentation
- Letters of support or partnership agreements (if applicable)
- Proof of 501(c)(3) status (for nonprofits)
Program contact
- 👤 Justison, Kathy
- 📧 kathy.justison@illinois.gov
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 15.662 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$17,348,237
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$15,031,566
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$14,174,757
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$10,024,505
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$9,074,913
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$9,054,943
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$8,937,294
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$7,718,060
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$7,405,665
-
$7,252,913
Top States by Funding
- IL 9 awards $42.2M
- MI 25 awards $14.9M
- DC 1 awards $14.2M
- OH 9 awards $11.1M
- WI 8 awards $6.6M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Nonprofits, government agencies, and conservation organizations working in the Great Lakes Basin are eligible. Contact the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for specific eligibility verification.
What types of projects are funded?
Projects that identify, protect, conserve, manage, enhance, or restore habitat and species in the Great Lakes region. Both public and private lands are eligible for project work.
Is cost sharing required?
No cost sharing is required for this grant.
What is the funding range?
Awards range from $5,000 to $150,000. The total program pool is $150,000, so fewer, larger awards or more, smaller awards are both possible.
When is the deadline?
This is a rolling program with no fixed deadline. Submit applications when ready, but check with the Illinois DNRS for any administrative cutoff dates.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Clearly connect your project to Great Lakes restoration priorities and USFWS program goals. Alignment is critical for funding.
- Include specific outcomes: habitat acres protected, species populations, water quality metrics. Vague proposals rank lower.
- Engage stakeholders early—private landowners, agency partners, local communities. Partnerships strengthen competitiveness.
- Budget efficiently within the $5,000–$150,000 range. Smaller budgets still need strong justification and clear deliverables.
- Submit early in rolling windows. Review materials thoroughly for completeness before submission to Illinois DNRS.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Vague habitat restoration goals without specific, measurable outcomes tied to Great Lakes priorities. Weak stakeholder engagement or partnerships limiting project scope and credibility. Insufficient detail on how private landowner cooperation will be secured and maintained over time.
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