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.

Now accepting applications for 2027

Applications will be accepted Oct 8, 2026 - Sept 30, 2027 for programs and events that take place Jan-Dec, 2027.

ELIGIBILITY

  • 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

  • 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.

  • Assistance is awarded to applicants and dependent household members only.

  • 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.

  • Households whose income exceeds the USDA Reduced Price Meals Income Guidelines may still apply; however, approval is not guaranteed and households may not be eligible for the full Financial Assistance award. Individual circumstances and demonstrated financial need will be considered when determining eligibility and funding

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, 2026 through June 30, 2027.

The income guidelines in effect at the time the application is reviewed will be used as part of the eligibility review. Updated USDA guidelines are typically released annually and will be incorporated when available. 

Household Size

Annual Income

Monthly Income

Weekly Income

1

$29,526

$2,461

$568

2

$40,034

$3,337

$770

3

$50,542

$4,212

$972

4

$61,050

$5,088

$1,175

5

$71,558

$5,964 

$1,377

6

$82,066

$6,839

$1,579

7

$92,574

$7,715

$1,781

8

$103,082

$8,591

$1,983

Each Additional Member Add

$10,508

$876

$203

How to apply

To be considered for the Financial Assistance Program, please . The application will be used to verify the need of financial assistance for programs that take place Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2027.  
  1. Complete the Application: You can apply at any time: however, approval may take up to 7 - 10 business days.
  2. 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.
  3. 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
    Notification of award: You will be notified of your application status within 7 - 10 business days, if not sooner, via email.

    Confidentiality: The District will keep all application materials confidential and will not share the application materials with other individuals, organizations or agencies without your express approval. Only District staff who review and approve scholarship applications will have access to the submitted materials.

      Required Documentation

      Please note, we no longer accept screenshots of required financial assistance documentation. If needed, our team can assist with making copies of documentation in-person, Monday-Friday, 9am to 4pm 

      Identity & Residency  - All Three Required
      • Photo ID - Current Driver's license or State ID.
      • Housing Documentation - Current lease containing dates, OR current mortgage statement
      • Two Proofs of Residency - Two current utility bills showing your name and address. Bills must be from two different providers (examples: gas, electric, Insurance, HOA) and dated within the last two months.  
      Income Verification - Choose One
      • Federal Tax Return - Form 1040 and proof of filing, such as IRS e-file acceptance confirmation, IRS transcript, or stamped copy.
      • State Eligibility Letter - Complete eligibility letter from the State of Illinois, dated within the last 6 months, verifying state benefits (SNAP, Health Care). All pages must be included. 

      Tax return timing: Applications submitted through April 15, 2027 may include a 2025 or 2026 Federal Tax Return. Applications submitted beginning April 16, 2027 must include the 2026 Federal Tax Return.

      Additional documentation 

      You may include documentation that helps explain your household financial circumstances, such as Free or Reduced Price School Meals participation, unemployment benefits, or documentation of a recent income reduction. Optional documents do not replace required documentation 

        funding amount

        Financial Assistance approval and funding amount awarded is determined based on the documents provided and their alignment with the Agricultural Income Eligibility Guidelines, Incomplete or missing documents may result in a reduce funding award or denial of application. Applicants are encouraged to submit all required documents to maximize their eligibility for assistance.

        • Applications approved before July 1: may receive up to $750 per eligible household member.
        • Applications approved on or after July 1: may receive up to $375 per eligible household member.

        Awarded funds may only be used for eligible programs and events that take place during the current fiscal year (Jan 1 - Dec 31, 2027). Funds cannot be carried over to future fiscal years. 

        QUALIFYING PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

        Financial assistance funds may be applied to most Downers Grove Park District programs and services, including Fitness memberships.

        NOT ELIGIBLE FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

        The following programs, services and fees cannot be paid using Financial Assistance funds. 

        Golf & Recreation

        • Golf rounds
        • Golf leagues
        • Driving range services and golf balls
        • Mini Golf rounds
        • Trips
        • All adult leagues
        • Select Special Events*
        Fitness & Instruction
        • Personal training sessions
        • Private or semi-private lessons
        Other Services & Fees
        • Facility and pavilion reservations
        • Concessions
        • Seasonal pool passes through the pool pass exchange.
        • Enrollment fees for programs and memberships, including Preschool, Dance Team and Fitness Memberships 
        • Fees paid directly to outside instructors, contractors, vendors or organizations, including uniforms, testing fees, and similar charges. 

        *Some smaller Recreation Special Events may qualify. Please contact us to inquire.

        Fitness Membership Usage

        Financial Assistance may be used toward eligible Fitness memberships. Members are expected to regularly use memberships purchased  with Financial Assistance funds. Membership usage may be reviewed and considered when evaluating future Financial Assistance applications.

        GUIDELINES

        • Applications for the 2027 Fiscal Year may be submitted October 8, 2026 - September 30, 2027

        • Limited funds are available for financial assistance and will be awarded in accordance with the Park District fiscal year (January-December)

        • Awarded funds are valid for programs that take place within the approved fiscal year. In the event that a program (such as Preschool) spans more than one fiscal year, financial assistance funds will apply only to the year in which the program begins. Applicants may not apply additional funds for the continuation of the same program in a subsequent fiscal year.  

        • Once the Financial Assistance Application has been reviewed and financial need and residency has been proven, the application will be valid through the end of the approved fiscal year. The Park District reserves the right to ask for updated housing or additional documentation if deemed necessary at any time.

        • The Downers Grove Park District reserves the right to approve either partial or full funding or deny an applicant’s request.

        • Awarding financial assistance does not ensure continued approval for succeeding fiscal years.

        • 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.

        • 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.

        • Recipients must adhere to the Park District's Attendance Policy for Financial Assistance. Failure to comply may result in cancellation of current funding, removal from all enrolled programs and/or disqualification from future financial assistance consideration. 

        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.

        make a donation