Build Grant Request for Proposals (RFP)
Fiscal Year 2025 - Regional Core Enhancement

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Program Overview
The Greater Peoria Leadership Council invites applications for Build Grants designed to create foundational investments that establish significant wins supporting GPLC's commitment to regional core development. Build Grants support intermediate-scale projects over 6-18 months addressing connectivity within the Regional Core and coordinated programming efforts to create compelling, unified regional core experiences.

Total Available Funding: $290,000
Number of Awards: 2-3 grants (approximately)
Anticipated Average Award: $96,666
Application Deadline: October 1, 2025  Deadline extended to November 1, 2025
Project Duration: 6-18 months
Application Frequency: Annually
Recipients Announced: November 2025  Early December 2025 Build Grant Overview

• Funding Range: $50,000 - $200,000
• Focus: Foundational investments establishing wins to support Regional Core commitment
• Overhead Maximum: 10%
• Duration: 6-18 months with quarterly milestones
• Advance Restricted Funding: GPLC will provide grant funds in advance rather than through reimbursement. Shorter term grants of less than one year will receive full funding upfront, while longer grants (up to 18 months) receive annual allocations at the start of each grant year. All funds remain restricted to approved activities and require regular financial reporting for compliance

2025 Focus Areas
All Build Grant projects must align with one or both of the following Regional Core enhancement priorities. (These examples are meant to spark your thinking, not limit it.)

Regional Core Connectivity

• Address utilization of empty lots between areas experiencing economic activity and local tourism
• Reduce urban "islands" through strategic connectivity solutions
• Improve walkability, safety, parking, and transportation for a cohesive Regional Core experience
• Create physical and programmatic connections that enhance Regional Core unity

Coordinated Regional Core Programming

• Align event calendars across Regional Core organizations and jurisdictions
• Create collaborative experiences that attract activity to the Regional Core
• Develop joint programming initiatives that leverage multiple organizational strengths
• Establish coordinated marketing and promotional efforts for programming and event amplification and alignment

Eligible Lead Organization Requirements:

• Must be a GPLC Partner Community Development Organization (CDO) in good standing
• Lead CDO serves as primary applicant and fiscal agent for all grant funds
• Lead CDO assumes full responsibility for grant compliance and reporting

Encouraged Partnerships:

• Lead CDO may partner with other 501(c)(3) organizations or 501(c)(6) organizations
• Lead CDO may partner with Peoria/East Peoria municipal departments/agencies
• Lead CDO may partner with Peoria/East Peoria public schools/park districts
• Lead CDO may partner with other GPLC Partner CDOs
• All partnerships must demonstrate enhanced regional impact through collaboration

Required Documentation:

Lead Organization Documentation

• Current GPLC partnership MOU on file with GPLC
• Audited financial statements or certified financial review for most recent fiscal year
• Three years of IRS Form 990s (if applicable)
• Current fiscal year budget with revenue/expense category detail
• Current organizational chart with related project staff qualifications
• Board letter authorizing grant application and fiscal agent responsibilities

Partnership Documentation (if applicable)

• Individual capacity statements from each partner organization
• Letters of commitment from all partner organizations
• Document delineating roles, responsibilities, and resource contributions for all partners

Project Financial Management

• Partnership budget showing resource allocation among all partners (if applicable). Please use GPLC Build Grant Template.

Capacity Assessment

• Overall project staffing plan showing adequate capacity for project and partnership management (lead CDO and all partner organizations)