School Business Services
School Maintenance Program Grants
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Watch for New Cycle to Open!
On February 16, 2012, Governor Quinn announced that the state had made available $50 million for the School Maintenance Grant Program. Applications were taken from March 1, 2012 until May 1, 2012. Grants were awarded from May 2012 through September 2012 and $39.2 million was distributed to 691 school districts and Type 40 vocational centers.
The dollar-for-dollar state matching grant program provides up to $50,000 in matching funds for the maintenance or upkeep of buildings or structures for educational purposes.
SMPG Recipients - Round 1 
(updated 10/9/12)
(updated 10/9/12)Important facts to remember about the School Maintenance Project Grants:
- Grants will be awarded for up to $50,000
- The applicant must provide local matching funds in an amount equal to the grant.
- Grants must be used to the maintenance or upkeep of buildings or structures for educational purposes only; they may NOT be used for ongoing operational costs.
- Grant funds MAY ONLY be used for projects approved on the District’s applications. Modifications may NOT be made after approval. Please be cognizant of this when filling out your application.
- The Local Board of Education MUST authorize the school maintenance project during a duly convened meeting BEFORE the application can be submitted on IWAS.
- If Health/Life Safety funds are being used for the district match, a separate Health/Life Safety amendment with the same type of project must be filed and approved by ISBE.
- None of the project work may be started before the Application has been submitted.
- The Final Expenditure Report should be submitted on IWAS within 30 days of Final Project Closeout or Completion. Please keep this in mind when determining the estimated completion dates for your projects on your application and allow enough time for final project closeout to occur.
- If the cost of the completed project is lower than the estimated cost so that the amount of the grant is greater than 50 percent of the total project expenditures, the applicant shall refund the amount of the grant that is in excess of 50 percent of actual project expenditures.
- All grant funds must be expended or legally obligated within 2 years of award by the State.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Kimberly Beachy at kbeachy@isbe.net or at 217-785-8779.
