Community-Centered Wellness Microgrant Program

The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking a single Lead Coordinating Organization (LCO) to administer the Community-Centered Wellness Microgrant Program citywide. The LCO will distribute microgrants to community-based organizations implementing community health events in neighborhoods disproportionately impacted by poverty and reduced life expectancy across Chicago's North, West, and South regions. Key deliverables and responsibilities include developing an accessible application process, executing marketing and recruitment strategies, providing technical assistance to community-based organizations, monitoring compliance, and managing fiscal administration of the program. The LCO must be a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization with a Chicago office in good standing with the City and must provide three letters of support from external partners. All staff must be paid a minimum of $20 per hour, with CDPH strongly encouraging fair living wages as calculated by the MIT Living Wage Calculator for Cook County. Critical deadlines include a pre-solicitation conference on May 6, 2026 at 3:00 PM Central Time; a questions deadline of May 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM Central Time; and a proposal submission deadline of May 22, 2026 at 12:00 PM Central Time. Proposals must be submitted through the City of Chicago's eProcurement system, requiring iSupplier vendor registration with three business days for completion. The contract term runs for a maximum of 18 months from June 1, 2026 through November 30, 2027, structured in two budget periods: six months and twelve months.

This procurement carries no identified set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises, though it is restricted to eligible 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organizations meeting the specified requirements. The total available funding is $600,000, comprised of $200,000 for the initial six-month period with one renewable award of $400,000 for the subsequent twelve-month period, supported by the Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG), a one-time federal funding source. The LCO must allocate not less than 65% ($390,000 or more) directly to community-based organizations as microgrants, with no more than 35% ($210,000) retained for administration costs. Regional funding allocations are predetermined with the South Region receiving 52% ($202,800 minimum), the West Region 32% ($124,800 minimum), and the North Region 16% ($62,400 minimum). Microgrants issued to community-based organizations will range between $2,500 and $20,000 across three tiers based on minimum population reach requirements. Respondents must comply with federal, state, and local regulations including the Labor Peace Agreement Ordinance, governmental ethics requirements, conflict of interest provisions, and insurance requirements established by the Chicago Department of Finance, with payment made on a reimbursement basis through monthly voucher submissions by the 15th of the following month.