Film and TV Workforce Training Program

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the FY25 Film and TV Workforce Training Program. The funding is administered through the Illinois Production Workforce Development Fund as authorized by 35 ILCS 16/46. This grant initiative is designed to recruit, develop, and train a diverse and inclusive workforce for the state’s film and television production sector. The initiative is a strategic response to the state's growing entertainment industry, which recorded a record-breaking $630 million in film production revenues in 2021. Despite this economic growth, the industry has reported a shortage of qualified crew members, prompting DCEO to support training efforts that aim to bolster the local workforce. The primary goal of the program is to provide practical, hands-on training that aligns with the workforce demands of film and television producers and studios operating in Illinois. The program prioritizes serving underrepresented and underserved populations, including minorities and individuals facing barriers to employment. Of the total funds allocated, 50% must support organizations that are either minority-owned, located in underserved areas as defined by the Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) Tax Credit Act, or train cohorts composed of at least 50% minority or underserved individuals. Each grantee is expected to implement training programs consisting of three cohorts of 10 to 15 students, offering at least 80 instructional hours and stipends for participants. Grantees are also encouraged to meet a minimum graduation rate of 80%, although this is not a strict requirement. Applicants must be organizations legally registered in the GATA (Grant Accountability and Transparency Act) Grantee Portal and meet several compliance checks, including having valid FEIN, UEI, and SAM.gov registration. Applicants may be nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, or for-profit entities. All students in funded programs must be Illinois residents with a high school diploma or GED, authorized to work in the state, and able to enter the workforce upon completing the program. At least half of each cohort must reside in an EDGE-defined underserved area. The total amount of funding available under this NOFO is $1,000,000, with individual award sizes ranging from $50,000 to $180,000. Approximately seven to eight awards are anticipated. Awards will be issued on a reimbursement basis, although grantees may be eligible for a working capital advance to cover the first two months. The anticipated start date for awards is September 2, 2025, with a performance period running from October 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. All applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM on July 30, 2025. A technical assistance webinar will be held on July 14, 2025, at 10:00 AM. While attendance is encouraged, it is not mandatory. Applications must include a project narrative, detailed budget, and required disclosures. Proposals will be evaluated competitively by a merit review committee based on criteria such as demonstrated need, organizational capacity, and program quality. Scoring is based on a 100-point system with a focus on workforce development potential, graduation rates, recruitment diversity, and existing relationships with industry employers. Each applicant may submit only one proposal. Subcontractors must be pre-approved, and all funded organizations will be subject to state and federal audit, performance, and financial reporting requirements. The designated contact for this funding opportunity is Peter Hawley at the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, available via email at Peter.Hawley@illinois.gov or by phone at 312-515-9230. Additional grant resources and application materials can be accessed via the DCEO’s website. Applications must be submitted through the online Smartsheet portal.

Grantees are encouraged to provide detailed project narratives and budget justifications. Strong applications will demonstrate program quality, diversity recruitment, workforce outcomes, and industry partnerships.