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

  • 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, 2022 through June 30, 2023.

Household Size

Annual Income

Monthly Income

Weekly Income

1

$25,142

$2,096

$484

2

$33,874

$2,823

$652

3

$42,606

$3,551

$820

4

$51,338

$4,279

$988

5

$60,070

$5,006

$1,156

6

$68,802

$5,734

$1,324

7

$77,534

$6,462

$1,492

8

$88,266

$7,189

$1,659

Each Additional Member Add

$8,732

$728

$168

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, 2023, through Dec. 31, 2023.

Please submit ONE of the following documentations with your application

  • 2021 or 2022 Federal Tax Return with children listed as dependents, if applicable.
  • 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

  • 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).

Documentation to further indicate financial need - Not required

  • Current Illinois LINK statement.
  • Unemployment compensation.
  • Child support.
  • Social Security/Disability Income.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AWARDED AMOUNT

  • If Financial Assistance Application is approved, applicants and their dependents will receive $750 per person to use towards Park District programs and services (qualifying programs and services are listed below).
  • Assistance is issued for one year. An applicant must reapply at the end of each calendar year in order to be considered for future assistance. All assistance expires on December 31 of the current year unless otherwise stated.

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
    • 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.

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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