From the Illinois Department of Veteran Affairs:
The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs Announces Illinois Lottery Veterans’ Cash Grants Recipients
Springfield, IL – Today, the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) announced nearly $1 million in grants to support organizations providing vital services to veterans and their families across Illinois for the third quarter of FY26.
The grants are part of the Veterans’ Cash Grants program, which aims to address critical issues facing veterans, including homelessness, post-traumatic stress treatment, behavioral health treatment, and workforce development. The grants are funded through proceeds from the Illinois Lottery’s $5 7x Bingo Multiplier ticket.
The Veterans Scratch-Off Lottery Ticket grant is a yearly competitive reimbursement grant offered quarterly to nonprofits, tax-exempt entities, and governmental organizations that assist veterans in need.
Eligible organizations may apply for grants ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 annually.
Each quarter, IDVA’s committee reviews applications and awards grants to groups that have demonstrated proven need. Eligibility is open to government agencies, not-for-profits, veterans’ organizations, and tax-exempt entities currently providing veterans’ assistance or seeking to expand their services to include veterans’ assistance.
“The recipients of this quarter’s Veterans Cash Grants provide transformative programs and treatments for veterans experiencing homelessness, behavioral health concerns, and other roadblocks resulting from service,” said IDVA Director Terry Prince. “We are grateful for the Illinois Lottery’s continued support of these grants, which have had a profound impact on thousands of Illinois veterans.”
“The Illinois Lottery has partnered with the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs since 2006, through its specialty lottery ticket program, helping to fund important veterans’ services in Illinois. Since our partnership started, we have generated almost $25 million to support veterans in Illinois. I couldn’t be prouder to be a small part of the important work that Director Prince and his team do,” said Illinois Lottery Director Harold Mays.
The recipients in McHenry County are:
Transitional Living Services, Inc.: McHenry
This $100,000 grant supports the Transitional Living Services program that employs veterans facing PTSD, homelessness, and reintegration challenges. The program provides job coaching, peer support, and essential services while helping veterans gain skills and transition to civilian employment.
BraveHearts: Harvard: $99,987.50
This $99, 987.50 grant supports BraveHearts, a leading provider of equine-assisted services. The program provides horseback riding and horsemanship instruction to address therapeutic needs, including reducing PTSD symptoms and equine-assisted psychotherapy, led by licensed mental health professionals. These therapies improve veterans’ mental health, build trust and confidence, support community reintegration, and reduce anxiety, depression, isolation, and suicidal ideation.
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McHenry County made out very well on this program, gaining almost 20% of the total.
