In an effort to provide recreation, health and wellness opportunities to qualifying residents, including those who are experiencing financial hardships, the Downers Grove Park District has established a Financial Assistance Program.
ELIGIBILITY
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The Financial Assistance Program is available to households of the Park District who contribute to our tax base and meet the Department of Agriculture Income Eligibility guidelines for Reduced-Price Meals. If you have questions or are unsure if you qualify as a Downers Grove Park District Resident, please contact us at 630.960.7500 Monday-Friday from 9am to 4pm or email us at financialassistance@dgparks.org
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Evidence of financial need must be demonstrated. Factors defining need include household size, family income or extenuating financial situation such as excessive medical bills or current participation in public aid.
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Assistance is awarded to applicants and dependent household members only.
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Completion and submission of Financial Assistance Application along with all supporting paperwork are necessary to verify financial eligibility and residency. Incomplete applications, or those missing required documentation, may result in a reduced award or denial of assistance.
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
- Complete the Application: You can apply at any time: however, approval may take up to 7 - 10 business days.
- Prepare Documentation: Financial assistance is based on the documents provided and their alignment with Agricultural Income Eligibility Guidelines. Incomplete or missing documentation may result in a reduced award or denial of application. Applicants are encouraged to submit all required documents to maximize their eligibility for assistance.
- Submit your Application:
- Email to: financialassistance@dgparks.org
- Drop-off: At the Downers Grove Park District Recreation Center, 4500 Belmont (Monday-Friday from 9am to 8pm and Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 4pm)
- Mail to: Downers Grove Park District, c/o Financial Assistance, 4500 Belmont Road, Downers Grove, IL 60515
REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
Financial Assistance awards are determined based on the documents provided and their alignment with Agricultural Income Eligibility Guidelines. Incomplete or missing documentation may result in a reduced award or denial of application. Applicants are encouraged to submit all required documents to maximize their eligibility for assistance.
Please submit the following documentations with your application
- Copy of 2023 FILED Federal Income Tax Return
- Driver's License or State ID.
- 2 current utility bills showing current address (example: gas, electric or HOA).
- Copy of lease (if renting) or mortgage statement (if own home).
Household Assistance Documentation
If receiving assistance from the following, current documentation must be provided and must be in the name of, or applicable to, the primary adult in the household.
- SNAP
- AllKids Healthcare Program
- Reduced or Free School Lunch Program.
funding 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 2025 unless otherwise stated.
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If Financial Assistance Application is approved for FY 2025 prior to September 1 the household may receive up to $750 per eligible person in the household.
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If Financial Assistance Application is approved for FY 2025 after September 1, the household may receive up to $375 per eligible person in the household.
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FY 2025 Assistance Funds is issued will be valid through December 31, 2025. An applicant must reapply 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
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Limited Funds are available for financial assistance and will be awarded in accordance with the Park District fiscal year. Awarded Financial Assistance funds are valid for programs that take place January 1 – December 31, 2025.
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Once the Financial Assistance Application has been reviewed and financial need and residency has been proven, the application will be valid through December 31, 2025. The Park District reserves the right to ask for updated housing or additional documentation if deemed necessary at any time.
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The Downers Grove Park District reserves the right to approve either partial or full funding or deny an applicant’s request.
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Awarding financial assistance does not ensure continued approval for succeeding fiscal years.
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Information submitted 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 any future requests for financial assistance.
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Information submitted is not a matter of public record. The District will keep all application materials confidential and will not share the application materials with other individuals, organizations or agencies. Only District staff who review and approve scholarship applications will have access to the submitted materials.
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:
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If the family has available Financial Assistance funds, the cost of the missed activity will be deducted a second time.
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If there are insufficient Financial Assistance funds available, enrollment in another activity may be subject to cancellation.
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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.
