Local impact
Addresses demonstrated needs of ALICE households in Champaign County with measurable outcomes and deliverables.
2024 Recipients
Building Beyond
Campus-Community Compact
Building Beyond
the Barriers
Investing in partnerships that create meaningful change.
Applications close
Thursday, April 9, 2026 • 4 p.m.
Overview
Building Beyond the Barriers — facilitated by the Campus-Community Compact — supports co-equal campus-community teams working together to address documented needs of low-income households and create lasting impact in one or more of the Compact focus areas.
Compact focus areas
Projects should advance one or more of the Compact’s six focus areas: Accessible Technology; Community Health, Wellness, and Resilience; Community Relations; Economic Development; Inclusive Education; Workforce Development.
At-a-glance
This program seeks to build trust, gather and share information, develop co-equal partnerships, and be place-based within the Champaign County community.
Application timeline
Key milestones and applicant support opportunities.
February 16, 2026
Grant information session
Noon–1 p.m. (Zoom)
View the Recorded Session
March 12, 2026
Virtual office hours
5–6 p.m. (Zoom)
Registration required
View the Recorded Session
May 2026
Awards announced.
July 1, 2026
Grant period begins.
Eligibility
Who can apply and what projects must include.
- Project teams should include at least one community partner and one campus partner. Campus partners must be a faculty or staff member whose units have agreed to provide administrative oversight. Students are welcome to serve as part of a team.
- Projects must take place within Champaign County and primarily benefit Champaign County individuals/households meeting the definition of Asset Limited, and Income Constrained (ALICE). ALICE households earn just above the Federal Poverty Level but less than what it costs to make ends meet. More information about ALICE.
- Projects must further one or more of the Compact’s six focus areas.
- Applicants are encouraged to have a well-developed plan for implementation as soon as the grant funding period opens.
- Research projects are ineligible for funding.
Funding and applicant support
What teams can request and what selected teams receive.
Matchmaking and technical assistance
The Office of Public Engagement will assist community organizations in finding a campus partner during the matchmaking period (February 9 – March 13).
Requests for matchmaking assistance are not accepted after 5 p.m. on March 13. If you are unable to identify a partner, the office can help connect you for future cycles.
Grant awards
$100,000 will be awarded through the program, with an anticipated grant range of $10,000–$30,000 per award, for the July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027 funding period.
Benefits for selected teams
Grant orientations will cover financial management and resources, and teams can attend weekly office hours during the application period to support project implementation and peer learning.
Application requirements
The project application consists of four parts:
- Applicant Information
- Project Information
- Project Budget
- Project Memorandum of Understanding
Completion of each section is required in order to be considered for funding. Applications that are deemed to be substantially incomplete will not be accepted.
Important deadline
Applications are due by 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 9. Late applications will not be accepted.
Ineligible uses of awarded funds
- Fundraising activities
- Real property payments or purchases
- Contributions or donations
- Alcoholic beverages
- Fines and penalties
- Legislative and lobbying expenses
Key evaluation criteria
How proposals will be reviewed.
Strength & leadership
Leverages existing strengths of programs, community organizations, co-investments, and strategic partnerships.
Relationships
Advances campus-community relationships through effective collaboration that overcomes barriers and builds connections.
Alignment with Compact mission
Builds trust, supports co-equal partnerships, and remains place-based to address documented needs in focus areas.
Q&A
Frequently asked questions for Building Beyond the Barriers.
Who can be a campus partner?
Any University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign staff or faculty member can serve as a project partner. Students or student groups are welcome to serve as part of a team.
Can I use this funding for a research project?
No. Funding must support evidence-based engagement and collaborative implementation, rather than research.
Can the Office of Public Engagement be a campus partner?
No. Since the Office of Public Engagement is administering the grant program, we cannot be a project partner.
Can the Office of Public Engagement help me find a campus partner?
Yes. During the Partner Matching Period (February 9 – March 13), the Office of Public Engagement can help you find a project partner. If you need help, please submit the Partner Matching Form by March 13. Requests for assistance will not be accepted after that date.
Can a government entity serve as a community partner?
Yes.
If I submit the Partner Matching Form, does that mean I am guaranteed a partner?
No. While the Office of Public Engagement will make a good-faith effort to facilitate connections, submission of the Partner Matching Form does not guarantee that an eligible partner will be identified. Applicants are encouraged to continue seeking potential partners independently. Projects that do not have both a confirmed campus and community partner will be ineligible for funding.
What if I can’t identify a partner by the March 13 deadline?
If you are unable to identify a partner, we will work to connect you with partners for future grant cycles.
How will the funding be managed?
The campus partner will use a spending account within their department or unit to pay for expenses. The Office of Public Engagement will reimburse costs to the home unit after they are spent. Community partners will not need to make project purchases or be reimbursed. All purchasing should take place with the campus partner’s home unit.
Our program provides services statewide. Can funds be used to support services that are provided outside of Champaign County?
No. Projects funded through Building Beyond the Barriers must take place within Champaign County.
What is a Real Property Payment or Purchase?
This is the purchase or long-term lease of a retail or residential property. This is a non-allowed expense.
Can community or campus partners be part of more than one project team for submissions?
Yes. It will be up to those partners to manage their own participation in multiple projects.
Can projects address more than one focus area?
Yes. This should be explained in the project description.
Can funds be used to hire people from the community as translators, interpreters, makers of education materials?
Funding can be used to pay for the services of approved community vendors to provide services such as translation, interpretation, making materials, or other project services. Awarded teams will work with the budget officer in the campus partner’s unit on how to pay for such services.
Is it possible to get feedback on application drafts prior to final submission? If so, how?
We cannot provide general feedback to strengthen the applications. However, if you have specific questions about the application or application process, please email publicengagement@illinois.edu and the grant team will do our best to provide answers.
Are indirect costs, tuition remission, and fringe benefits allowable costs on this grant?
Funding for grants is State and ICR sourced. If selected for award, your home unit will establish a unique C-FOP to capture the grant expenditure activity. An accounting of expenses should be submitted on a quarterly basis for reimbursement. Since the funding source is State/ICR, indirect costs and tuition remission will not apply. If payroll is applied to a state fund (which we encourage), fringe benefits will also not apply.
Is a student’s hourly or other hourly salary an allowable cost?
If the student or other hourly salary person is critical to completing the scope of work, yes, this can be covered. However, a detailed salary justification will be required.
Can medical supplies be purchased on this grant?
No.
Does the MOU need to be signed by one community organization or partner, or can it be signed by multiple (campus or community) partners?
Yes, it can be signed by multiple community and/or campus partners.
Can we pay for hotel stays or transportation for programs? Gift cards?
No.
Contact
For more information, contact publicengagement@illinois.edu.
