More than $263,000 in Veterans Cash lottery proceeds to help eight non-profits support Illinois veterans

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) today announced $263,633 in grants from Veterans’ Cash scratch-off lottery ticket sales to help eight non-profits deliver specialized programs and services for Illinois’ veterans.

“The Veterans Cash instant ticket continues to directly impact the Illinois veteran community,” said IDVA Director Erica Borggren. “In the current fiscal year, 30 organizations have shared more than $1.4 million in proceeds from scratch-off ticket sales to provide direct services to struggling veterans.” 

The brainchild of Governor Pat Quinn, Veterans Cash since 2006 has funded programs for veterans throughout Illinois. Proceeds from ticket sales are deposited into the Illinois Veterans Assistance Fund, making it the first Illinois Lottery ticket for which 100 percent of net proceeds are dedicated to support Illinois veterans.

Fourth-quarter (FY12) grants have been awarded to the following Illinois organizations:

• Bravehearts (Harvard)—$85,000 for therapeutic horseback riding and carriage driving programs for wounded military and veterans.
• Chicago Horticultural Society (Oak Park)—$15,500 for therapeutic experiences for veterans with PTSD and other service-related conditions.
• Chicago Veterans Art Museum—$6,000 to provide art therapy workshops for veterans.
• Chicago Veterans Economic Development Council—$15,000 to support summer and winter Stand Downs for homeless Illinois veterans.
• Disabled American Veterans, Department of Illinois (Springfield)—$29,783 to support veterans' services throughout Illinois.
• Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois (Peoria)—$25,000 to support Goodwill's Stand Down for homeless veterans and support of veterans at risk of homelessness.
• Revelation Golf (Elk Grove Village)—$62,350 to support a therapeutic program for disabled veterans as a way to help improve their range of motion.
• Veterans Assistance Commission of Sangamon County—$25,000 for the VAC of Sangamon County's Dental Assistance program.

On a quarterly basis, IDVA’s Veterans Cash Grant Committee reviews applications and awards grants to groups that help address PTSD, homelessness, health insurance costs, long-term care and disability benefits. To date, nearly 180 organizations have shared more than $10 million in funding.

To apply for a grant, please download an application at the Veterans Cash website.

For more information about IDVA and its programs, please visit the agency’s homepage.