TA Model

This model works one‐on‐one with individual organizations and partnerships on single proposal opportunities. IRN’s team of Technical Advisors (TAs) are located throughout the state and have expertise in the technical aspects of federal grant development as well as knowledge of federal policies and programs.  

Grants Mapping Service

Pre‐planning and preparation help increase the competitiveness of an organization’s application. Illinois ResourceNet advisors work with organizations to prepare for future funding opportunities by creating a two‐year timeline of expected release dates of Federal grant programs relevant to the organization or collaboration working with IRN. Illinois ResourceNet develops a plan‐of‐action for groups to identify grants that match the needs of the organization. Advisors will also locate future funding for existing programs and potential new programs, and examine the resources offered by Federal Agencies. In addition, the IRN advisor will review proposals to ensure that the organization meets the eligibility requirements, and has the necessary management and programmatic capacity.

Hazard Mitigation Model

IRN’s hazard mitigation model works with cities and counties to help them apply for funding to safe guard against natural disasters by providing training and technical assistance around hazard mitigation planning and long term recovery.  

Capacity Building Training

IRN’s course development is demand‐driven and customized for unique programs. The core IRN courses include the topics of collaboration, federal grant writing, reporting and monitoring, building federal budgets, and understanding federal grants. IRN advisors use the IRN curriculum as a foundation for the creation of customized training sessions that meet the needs of the organizations approaching IRN for assistance. IRN advisors present on a variety of topics, including sustainability, proposal team building, and organizational development.

Brokering Model 

IRN’s technical assistance also takes on an intermediary role. IRN acts like a broker creating a strong community bridge between the federal and state agencies and the communities by serving as a conduit for more specialized information and data, and identifying and cultivating the right partnerships for a successful proposal.

Free Webinars

Webinars allow our technical advisors to disseminate information and resources about available grant opportunities to potential grantees throughout the State of Illinois from the comfort of their work/office computers.

Face-to-Face Workshops

Based on the direct needs of each unique community area, Illinois ResourceNet is adapting and tailoring our online curriculum so that it can be delivered face‐to‐face in communities around the state of Illinois.

Online Curriculum

Course participants will benefit from a successful university‐designed educational training platform and curriculums, while learning how to:

• Successfully find and submit proposals via Grants.gov
• Build partnerships and collaborations to acquire federal funding
• Write federal proposals focused on point criteria
• Prepare federal budget justifications with cost sharing
• Utilize training sessions to create working proposals

The presentations include materials from one‐on‐one training sessions lead by an expert Technical Advisor that is available to answer your specific questions on the multiple website forums.

Regional and Statewide Conferences

IRN programs regional conferences throughout the State of Illinois and holds an annual statewide conference that provides an opportunity for nonprofit organizations and local government officials to network with potential funders, including state and federal agency representatives. The conferences focus on sharing knowledge about funding trends, best practices for proposal development, and resources as well as research of interest to organizations about federal funding policies and practices.