The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is issuing an initial funding opportunity under the Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA) Multi-Cultural Jobs Program. This initiative is authorized under 220 ILCS 5/16-108.12(a)(3) and is supported through the State of Illinois' appropriations, with a total of $4 million allocated for this cycle. The program aims to advance equitable job training within the clean energy sector, targeting traditionally underserved populations and aligning with broader climate and energy goals articulated through both FEJA and the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA).
The program supports workforce development in the clean energy economy by funding projects that integrate skill development, work-based learning, supportive services, and partnerships with industry employers. It emphasizes employer-driven training approaches, incorporating elements like bridge programs, core curriculum based on a Clean Jobs Curriculum Framework, job-specific training options, and stipends up to $13 per training hour to support participant retention. Applicants are expected to design programs that are inclusive, accessible, and grounded in equity, with clear transition services to clean energy jobs.
Eligible applicants must be Illinois-based, diversity-focused nonprofit organizations with a history of successful job training implementation. These organizations must fall into one of six distinct funding categories, each of which will receive a single grant ranging from $500,000 to $1 million. Categories include civil rights/human services organizations, educational nonprofits, youth leadership-focused entities, training providers in construction certifications, nonprofits with proven utility sector experience, and organizations offering integrated housing and career education services in partnership with the electric industry.
Applications must be submitted electronically via the DCEO Smartsheet platform by 5:00 PM CST on July 1, 2025. The application package includes a formatted grant technical application, a uniform budget, and five specific attachments detailing the executive summary, implementation timeline, curriculum plan, staffing plan, and proposed outcomes. Entities must also be registered in the Illinois GATA Grantee Portal with valid FEIN, UEI, and SAM.gov registrations.
A technical assistance webinar will be held on May 15, 2025, to assist applicants. Awardees will be announced with an anticipated start date of September 1, 2025, and a grant performance period extending through August 31, 2027, with the option for a one-year extension. Grantees are subject to quarterly performance and financial reporting, monitoring visits, and must use the Illinois workNet system for data tracking.
