The GAD
The Grants Administration and Development (GAD) was developed in 1998 under the Office of Management and Budget. The GAD’s role is to prepare a system-wide plan, to submit that plan to the Illinois State Board of Education, to monitor the implementation of that plan in the schools, and to serve as a liaison between the schools and the funding agencies. In addition, the GAD provides competitive funding proposals and application for external funding sources. The GAD provides assistance to proposal writers, funding opportunity information on a timely and systematic basis, and training in proposal writing to Chicago Public School personnel, Local School Council members, and other members of the CPS community.

There are two types of funding that the GAD pursues: Categorical Funds and Competitive Grants. Categorical Funds, sometimes called Formula-Driven Grants, are provided through special legislation or court decision and are intended to meet specific school needs. Most federal and state categorical programs focus on helping low-income, at-risk students succeed. The funding enables schools to conduct supplementary educational programs that would not be possible without this funding. In 1998, the CPS received $483 million in categorical funds.

Competitive Grants are received based on submitted grant applications to the federal government, Illinois State Board of Education, and private foundations. In 1998, The CPS received $18 million from the federal government, $8 million from the Illinois State Board of Education, and $4 million from private foundations.