In an effort to provide recreation, health and wellness opportunities to all residents, including those who are experiencing financial hardships, the Downers Grove Park District has established a Financial Assistance Program (FAP).

ELIGIBILITY

Now accepting applications for 2024
  • The Financial Assistance Program is available to Downers Grove Park District residents only.
  • Downers Grove residents who do not pay taxes to the Downers Grove Park District are not eligible.
  • Nonresident households who pay taxes to D58 or D99 are not eligible.
  • Assistance is awarded to applicants and dependent household members only.
  • Evidence of financial need must be demonstrated. Factors defining need include household size, family income or an extenuating financial situation such as excessive medical bills or current participation in public aid.
  • Completion and submission of Financial Assistance Application along with all supporting paperwork necessary to verify financial eligibility. Please see below for required documentation.

The Department of Agriculture Income Eligibility guidelines for Reduced-Price Meals will be used to determine eligibility for Park District financial assistance. The Figures below are for the period July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025.

Household Size

Annual Income

Monthly Income

Weekly Income

1

$27,861

$2,322

$536

2

$37,814

$3,152

$728

3

$47,767

$3,981

$919

4

$57,720

$4,810

$1,110

5

$67,673

$5,640

$1,1302

6

$77,626

$6,469

$1,493

7

$87,579

$7,299

$1,685

8

$97,532

$8,128

$1,876

Each Additional Member Add

$9,953

$830

$383

How to apply

To be considered for the Financial Assistance Program, please complete this form and submit all required documentation to the Recreation Center located at 4500 Belmont Road. This application will be used to verify the need of financial assistance for programs that take place Jan. 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2024.

Please submit ONE of the following documentations with your application

  • SNAP approval letter with dependents listed
  • AllKids healthcare program card listing dependents
  • Reduced or Free School lunch program approval

Please submit ALL of the following documentations with your application

  • 2023 Federal Tax Return with children listed as dependents, if applicable.
  • Driver's License or State ID. This must have your current address.
  • 2 current utility bills showing current address (example: gas, electric or HOA).
  • Copy of lease (if renting) or mortgage statement (if own home).

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AWARDED AMOUNT

Depending on the date of approval, awarded funds may be used towards Park District programs and services (qualifying programs services listed below) January 1 through December 31 of 2024 unless otherwise stated.

  • If Financial Assistance Application is approved prior to September 1, the household may receive up to $750 per eligible person in the household.
  • If Financial Assistance Application is approved after September 1, the household may receive up to $375 per eligible person in the household.
  • Assistance is issued for one year. An applicant must reapply beginning October 2024 in order to be considered for future assistance.

QUALIFYING PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

Financial assistance is available for all programs and services (including Fitness memberships) unless listed below:

  • Financial Assistance cannot be applied toward:
    • Golf rounds
    • Golf driving range services and golf balls
    • Mini Golf rounds
    • Trips
    • All Adult Leagues
    • Jr. Golf League
    • Personal training sessions
    • Private or Semi-Private lessons
    • Select Special Events
      • Smaller Recreation Special Events may be included - please inquire
    • Facility Reservations
    • Concessions
    • Adventure Park Spray Park Daily Admissions
    • Deposits, Enrollment or Registration fees, unless signing up during a Zero Enrollment Special

GUIDELINES

  • Persons requesting financial assistance must complete the Financial Assistance Application along with required documentation of eligibility. Applications submitted without financial documentation cannot be considered.
  • Once the Financial Assistance Application has been reviewed and financial need has been proven, the application will be valid for one fiscal year. The Park District reserves the right to request further documentation if deemed necessary at any time.
  • Awarding financial assistance does not ensure continued approval for succeeding fiscal years.
  • All information submitted is confidential and is not a matter of public record.
  • All information in the application must be true and accurate. Fee assistance funds are legally recoverable if paid and awarded on the basis of false information supplied by the applicant and will nullify the request for future requests.
  • Limited funds are available for financial assistance and will be awarded in accordance with the Park District fiscal year.
  • Financial assistance is awarded on the basis of need and availability of funds. The Downers Grove Park District reserves the right to approve either partial or full funding or deny an applicant's request.

Attendance policy

Financial Assistance funds are limited and are a valuable resource. To ensure fair and effective distribution, it is essential that participants commit to attending the activities they are approved for.

For activities that have a duration of four or more sessions, participants are expected to attend a minimum of (80%) of the sessions. For activities with fewer than four sessions, (100%) attendance is expected.

In the event that a participant is unable to take part in an activity due to a medical or other valid reason, it is the responsibility of the participant or their legal parent/guardian to notify the park district of the conflict before the activity takes place. In cases where a medical reason is cited, the park district may request a doctor's note for verification.

Failure to adhere to this policy will result in the removal of fees equal to the program's cost, as follows:

  • If the family has available Financial Assistance funds, the cost of the missed activity will be deducted a second time.

  • If there are insufficient Financial Assistance funds available, enrollment in another activity may be subject to cancellation.

  • Consistent non-compliance with attendance requirements may lead to the forfeiture of Financial Assistance awards and disqualification of the participant from future award consideration.

CONTACT

For questions regarding the Financial Assistance Program, please contact us at FinancialAssistance@dgparks.org or call our registration staff at 630.960.7500 Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 4:00pm.

donate to the financial assistance program

Businesses or individuals interested in supporting the Downers Grove Park District's Financial Assistance Program can make a tax-deductible donation online.

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