CSP Grant
Illinois Impact Initiative Charter Schools Program
About the Illinois Impact Initiative Charter Schools Program Grant
INCS empowers those ready to take the leap and start a charter public school. We provide expert knowledge, coaching, resources, and connections to help school designers open excellent learning spaces for young minds. If you’re interested in diversifying the education offerings in your community, explore our library of resources and connect with us.
About the Illinois Impact Initiative Charter Schools Program Grant
In Fall 2022, the Illinois Network of Charter Schools (INCS) was awarded a $25 million Charter School Program (CSP) grant from the US Department of Education to catalyze the growth of high-quality public charter school options across the state. INCS will act as a pass-through entity, using federal funds to administer a competitive subgrant program for which the operators of new, expanding, and replicating schools will be eligible.
The Illinois Impact Initiative CSP grants are available for Illinois applicants who would like to:
- open and prepare for the operation of new charter schools;
- open and prepare for the operation of replicated high-quality charter schools; or
- expand high-quality charter schools
Illinois Impact Initiative Charter Schools Program
CPS Awardees
| School | Award Amount |
|---|---|
| Chicago Collegiate Charter School — Application Narrative | $1,100,000 |
| Distinctive Schools: Art in Motion — Application Narrative | $1,150,000 |
| Horizon Science Academy: Belmont — Application Narrative | $1,350,000 |
CSP Subgrant Round 3 is anticipated to open in November 2024
The 3rd round of CSP will open in November 2024. If you have any questions on eligibility, or need assistance at any point during the application process, please email cspgrant@incschools.org.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply, applicants must:
- Meet the federal definition of a charter school; or the federal definition of a charter developer;
- Have applied, or is intending to apply, for authorization from an authorized Illinois public chartering agency to open, replicate, or significantly expand a high-quality charter school; or intend to significantly expand without exceeding its existing enrollment cap;
- If applying for replication or expansion, meet the federal definition of a “high-quality charter school” as described under ESEA § 4310 (8); and,
- Not have previously received a subgrant under this program within the last five years, unless the applicant meets certain exceptions.
- To determine if your school qualifies for eligibility, please complete the eligibility questionnaire at https://incscsp.smapply.us/prog/lst/.
- If you have further questions, please email CSPgrant@incschools.org.
How to Apply for the Illinois Impact Initiative Charter Schools Program
All applicants will be required to complete an eligibility questionnaire on INCS’ application portal, Survey Monkey at https://incscsp.smapply.us/prog/lst/, prior to gaining access to the full application. Applicants should allow up to 5 business days for INCS review of the eligibility questionnaire and verification of eligibility before they are approved to receive access to the full application.
CSP Application
The INCS CSP Grant Request for Applications (RFA) is available here.
Key Dates for Round 2 Applicants
The following key dates are subject to change. Please email CSPgrant@incschools.org with any questions.
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Subgrant Eligibility Questionnaire Available | February 5, 2024 |
| Subgrant Application Available | February 12, 2024 |
| Subgrant Application Due | March 22, 2024 |
| Review of Applications | March 27th-April 23rd |
| Subgrant Cycle 2 Awards Announced | April 24, 2024 |
Peer Reviewers
To ensure subgrants are awarded to the most capable applicants, subgrant applications will be reviewed and scored by six members of a Peer Review Committee composed of charter school leaders, charter school board members, charter school parents, and an external expert on school development. These reviewers will receive training on the effective use of a peer review rubric to rate potential subgrant proposals.
To receive a subgrant, applicants must (a) earn at least 80% of the available points on the scoring rubric; and (b) be among the most highly rated applicants during a subgrant cycle given the finite number of awards INCS expects to make. Criteria for each question and the scoring rubric is available in the application package.
If you are interested in becoming a peer reviewer, please email CSPgrant@incschools.org.
Contact Us
Please answer the following questions to help INCS staff keep you moving forward. All shared information is confidential.
Additional questions may
be directed to:
Allison Jack
Senior Director of Charter Growth & Support
(312) 690-2708
ajack@incschools.org