SPRINGFIELD — Fishing for Freedom – Quincy, an event that pairs veterans and active-duty military members with experienced anglers for a weekend of fishing, has received a $50,000 state grant, the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs announced.
The department announced nearly $500,000 in grants for the second quarter of fiscal year 2027 to organizations that provide services to veterans and their families.
The event is a no-entry-fee tournament for bass, catfish, and crappie. It pairs active-duty military and veterans with professional anglers, tournament fishermen, fishing guides, and local outdoorsmen. The weekend includes a social hour, a tournament for residents of the Illinois Veterans Home, a Heroes Banquet, and tournament fishing on the Mississippi River or Mark Twain Lake. Veterans take part at no cost.
The grants come from the Veterans’ Cash Grants program, which addresses issues such as homelessness, post-traumatic stress treatment, behavioral health treatment, and workforce development. The program is funded by proceeds from an Illinois Lottery scratch-off ticket. Nonprofits, tax-exempt groups, and government organizations that assist veterans can apply for grants of $25,000 to $100,000 a year, and a department committee reviews applications each quarter.
“The recipients of this quarter’s veterans cash grants offer services that directly impact the well-being of veterans and their families,” said Terry Prince, the department’s director.