Illinois Grants

Federal Grants:

ESSA Title II-A (Supporting Effective Instruction)
- What it is: Professional development, teacher mentoring, reducing class size
- Why it matters: Can support PD for staff adopting new attendance or HR systems, or training to improve their time tracking software setup.
ESSA Title IV-A (Student Support & Academic Enrichment, SSAE)
- What it is: one of the most flexible ESSA funding streams. It allows districts to invest in three areas: (1) well-rounded education, (2) safe and healthy students, and (3) effective use of technology. Up to 15% of Title IV-A technology funds can be used for infrastructure upgrades.
- Why it matters: This is a strong federal funding fit for Touchpoint’s SmartClocks and teacher absence software. Districts can justify purchases as technology that supports staff accountability, accurate HR compliance, and safe school operations—ensuring teachers are present and classrooms are covered, which directly impacts student learning and safety.
ESSA Title VB (Rural Education Achievement Program)
- What it is: Provides additional flexibility to small, rural, and low-income districts. REAP funds can be used to support activities allowable under Titles I-A, II-A, III, and IV-A, giving rural schools more options to address local needs.
- Why it matters: Because REAP dollars can be spent on Title IV-A activities, rural districts can use them for time and attendance systems, HR/payroll compliance software, and SmartClock hardware. This is a particularly valuable path for small districts that need to modernize operations but have limited budgets.
Perkins V (Career and Technical Education)
- What it is: Provides federal funds to states and districts to strengthen career and technical education (CTE) programs. Funds support technology, equipment, instructional materials, and program operations that align education with workforce needs. The goal is to ensure students in high schools and postsecondary programs gain the skills and experience required for in-demand careers.
- Why it matters: Perkins dollars can be used for technology and equipment purchases tied to CTE program delivery. Touchpoint’s time and attendance software and SmartClock hardware help districts ensure CTE instructors, aides, and lab supervisors are present and accountable, so students consistently receive the hands-on instruction they need. By tracking staff time and absence within CTE programs, districts can demonstrate program quality, maintain compliance with federal performance measures, and align with Perkins’ mission to prepare students for the workforce.
BSCA Stronger Connections Grants
- What it is: A competitive, one-time federal infusion (via BSCA) administered by PDE, with funds available for obligation through September 2026. Applications were invitation-only for high-need LEAs identified by PDE (based on poverty, violence, exclusion, and lack of mental health supports). Awards ranged into the millions for selected districts and must be used for activities under Title IV-A Section 4108 — focused on safe, healthy, and supportive schools.
- Why it matters: For districts that qualified, Stronger Connections is a powerful opportunity to fund infrastructure hardware like SmartClocks that improve accountability and safety visibility. By framing these devices as security technology that ensures real-time staff presence, emergency headcounts, and attendance tracking, schools can cover significant hardware deployments while tying them directly to safety and climate goals.
COPS School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP)
- What it is: A federal grant from the U.S. Department of Justice that provides funding to improve security at schools and on school grounds. Districts can apply for competitive grants of up to $500,000 to purchase and install evidence-based safety technology, including security infrastructure and deterrent measures. A portion of funds is reserved for rural and low-resource schools through microgrants with waived local match requirements.
- Why it matters: School safety funding is no longer limited to cameras and locks — programs like SVPP recognize the value of accountability technology. For districts, this means SmartClock hardware can be positioned as part of a secure entry and staff accountability system, directly improving emergency readiness and compliance with school safety mandates. While ongoing HR/payroll software isn’t covered, the program offers a powerful way to fund durable, capital-grade SmartClock devices that make schools safer and more accountable.

Illinois State-Specific Grants:

Illinois School Construction Law
- What it is: The Illinois School Construction Law creates the School Infrastructure Fund and School Construction Fund, providing state-administered, competitive capital grants to districts for facility upgrades, new construction, renovations, and permanent improvements. Programs under this law include large-scale construction grants, School Maintenance Project Grants (up to $50,000 with local match), and targeted initiatives for energy efficiency and early childhood facilities. Funding is overseen by the Illinois Capital Development Board and the Illinois State Board of Education, and is designed to address health/life safety issues, overcrowding, modernization, and long-term infrastructure needs.
- Why it matters: This law gives Illinois school districts a dedicated path to fund durable infrastructure, ensuring facilities remain safe, modern, and aligned with student needs. Because funding is limited to capital-eligible improvements, it creates a powerful opportunity to install SmartClock hardware as part of secure entry systems, staff accountability upgrades, or broader building modernization projects. While the law does not cover ongoing software or operational costs, it can underwrite the hardware backbone that supports compliance, payroll accuracy, and school safety. For districts seeking to tie technology directly into capital projects, the Illinois School Construction Law is one of the state’s most reliable and impactful funding streams.
Evidence-Based Funding (EBF) for Student Success Act
- What it is: Illinois’ primary school funding formula. It calculates each district’s “Adequacy Target” — the cost of providing quality education — and compares it to local resources. State dollars are then distributed through Base Funding Minimums (hold harmless) and Tier Funding, with the greatest support flowing to under-resourced districts furthest from adequacy.
- Why it matters: Because EBF dollars are flexible operating funds, districts can use them to support both one-time hardware (like SmartClocks installed as permanent accountability devices) and ongoing software (such as absence and time management systems). Unlike capital-only programs, EBF provides a sustainable, recurring funding stream, making it the strongest pathway for covering software renewals, licensing, and compliance tools alongside technology that improves staff accountability and instructional time.
School Maintenance Project Grant (SMPG)
- What it is: A state program from the Illinois State Board of Education that provides districts with up to $50,000 in matching funds to support maintenance and permanent improvements in school facilities. Grants cover 50% of eligible project costs and prioritize health/life safety, security, accessibility, and infrastructure upgrades.
- Why it matters: SMPG offers districts a cost-sharing pathway to upgrade durable infrastructure. For time and attendance solutions, it creates an opportunity to fund the hardware side of accountability systems — such as installing SmartClocks with the necessary electrical and network prep — as part of a broader security or building improvement project. While the grant does not cover ongoing software or staffing, it provides a clear, capital-focused route to strengthen school facilities with technology that improves staff accountability and campus safety.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we use safety grants for SmartClocks?

Yes. Many federal and state-level school safety grants allow funding for secure entry systems, visitor management, and accountability technology. Attendance kiosks and time-collection devices often qualify when tied to improving building safety, student supervision, and emergency preparedness.

Do federal funds cover staff training for new systems?

Absolutely. Federal programs like Title II-A and Title IV-A explicitly permit the use of funds for professional development and training. This means districts can not only purchase new compliance or attendance systems, but also train staff to use them effectively.

Which grants require local matches?

Most formula-based federal funds (such as Title I–IV, IDEA, Perkins) do not require a local match. However, some competitive safety and security grants (for example, COPS SVPP or certain state-level safety funds) may require a partial cost share. Districts should review the application guidelines for each program.

What’s the best fit for rural or small districts?

Rural and small districts often benefit most from flexible funding streams such as the Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP/RLIS), smaller targeted state safety grants, and regional cooperative programs (like service agencies or intermediate units). These sources are designed to give smaller districts the flexibility to cover essential needs like attendance or HR compliance technology.

Can foundations or private donations support pilot projects?

Yes. Across the U.S., local education foundations, community foundations, and corporate giving programs frequently support pilot programs, innovative technology, or attendance improvement initiatives. Many states also have tax-credit donation programs where businesses fund local education foundations. These funds can help districts test attendance or HR tools before scaling them district-wide.