Greater Peoria Leadership Council
GPLC Community Sprint Grant Application - Fall Cycle 2026


GPLC Community Sprint Grants
Request for Proposals (RFP)
Fall 2026 Cycle

GPLC Community Sprint Grant RFP

Please Note: To Submit Your Sprint Grant Proposal, Scroll To The Bottom Of This Page and Click "Submit New Proposal" or "Access Existing Proposal"

 Program Overview
The Greater Peoria Leadership Council (GPLC) invites applications for Community Sprint Grants designed to create rapid, visible impact in the Greater Peoria Regional Core within 3-6 months. Sprint Grants support quick-implementation projects that enhance regional core beautification, programming, and hospitality while building momentum for longer-term regional development.

Total Available Funding: $200,000
Number of Awards: 3-4 grants (approximately)
Average Award: $50,000
Application Deadline: September 1, 2026
Project Duration: 3-6 months
Application Frequency: Semi-annually (2 community sprint cycles per year)
Grant Categories
Sprint - Quick Impact Threshold
  • Funding Range: $5,000 - $25,000
  • Focus: Accessible, rapid implementation projects
  • Overhead Maximum: 10%
Sprint - Major Impact Threshold
  • Funding Range: $25,001 - $75,000
  • Focus: Enhanced capacity projects with maximum sprint value
  • Overhead Maximum: 10%
2026 Focus Areas
All Sprint Grant projects must align with one or more of the following Regional Core enhancement priorities. (These examples are meant to spark your thinking, not limit it):

Regional Core Beautification
  • Window clings in empty storefronts
  • Streetscape improvements: flowers, lighting, seating in Regional Core areas
  • Visual enhancements that create immediate positive impact
  • Placemaking initiatives that define a space's experience
Regional Core Programming
  • Pop-up support for existing planned events
  • Programming enhancements that attract visitors and activity
  • Creative activations that utilize existing Regional Core infrastructure
Regional Core Hospitality
  • Street hospitality teams or local concierge ambassadors
  • Visitor experience improvements such as walkability, safety, connectivity
  • Initiatives supporting positive Regional Core experiences during events

Eligible Organizations

  • 501(c)(3) organizations
  • Municipal departments / agencies
  • Peoria and East Peoria public schools / park districts
  • GPLC Partner Community Development Organizations (CDOs)
Requirements
  • Minimum 1 year of operations
  • Must serve the Greater Peoria region with demonstrated community benefit
  • Must be current on all required state & federal filings, with no significant financial violations
Additional Eligibility - Major Impact Requests ($25,001 - $75,000)
Requests above $25,000 are larger, advance-funded commitments, so we confirm the applicant has demonstrated capacity at a comparable scale. Rather than requiring extra documents, applicants for these larger requests must complete a short eligibility attestation within the application, which GPLC verifies during its pre-review screen. To be eligible for major impact requests, applicants must attest to at least one of the following:
  • Annual organizational budget of at least $300,000 with an independent audit completed in past year OR
  • A track record of managing projects greater than $10,000, OR
  • At least one previous project with a budget greater than $10,000 successfully completed

Evaluation Criteria: Applications are scored on a 5-point scale across four weighted criteria.

Criterion Weight What It Measures
Vibrant Place Development 35% Physical, social, and cultural enhancement of place quality. 
Measurable Impact 25% The overall impact, value and credibility of the project’s targeted outcomes.
Amplification 25% Committed outside investment leveraged, and how essential the GPLC grant is to it.
Execution Strength 15% Confidence the team can deliver on time and on budget.

Note: All grant scores act as guides for the Grant Committee. The committee reserves the right to prioritize and make funding recommendations to the GPLC board as it deems to be in the best interest of the GPLC and its goals. Annual funding is based on funds available and overall program mix.

Allowable Costs

Direct Program Costs 
  • Materials and supplies directly related to project activities
  • Event and programming costs: venue rental, speaker fees, participant materials
  • Marketing and outreach: project-specific promotional materials, advertising spots, target marketing
  • Participant support: refreshments, materials, accessibility accommodations
Project Personnel 
  • Staff allocated to project outcomes (with time tracking)
  • Hourly or project-based professional services
  • Short-term personnel hired specifically for project activities
Project Equipment
  • Equipment and technology essential for project delivery
  • Items above the organization’s capitalization threshold are recognized as assets and depreciated over time
Project Overhead
  • Maximum 10% for project administration, permits, financial tracking, evaluation, compliance, and partnership coordination

Unallowable Costs?

  • General organizational operating expenses unrelated to the project
  • Project staff benefits: health insurance, retirement contributions, other standard benefits
  • Equipment not directly essential to project delivery
  • Fundraising or development activities

Required Documentation
In the spirit of a streamlined application, required uploads are kept to the minimum needed for compliance and a financial-stability review.
 
Document Required?
IRS determination letter (or municipal letterhead) Required — all applicants
Two most recent board-approved year-end financial statements One Year Required — all applicants
Two Years Required— organizations in operation greater than 2 years
Simple project budget using GPLC template Required — all applicants
Independent audit If available. Not required for organizations not requiring an independent audit in the State of Illinois.
 
 
Application Deadline: September 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM CST
Submit completed application and upload all required documentation through this GPLC online portal. For questions, contact GPLC Director of Grant Management.
Kristin Zika: kzika@greater-peoria.org
Submissions accepted from 12:00am CST on 07/28/2026 to 11:59pm CST on 09/01/2026