Illinois Arts Grants

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is offering a grant of over $1 million, with a total funding of $10,000,000, to educational and non-profit organizations in Urbana, Illinois, to promote bioprocessing through infrastructure and capital equipment expansion, increased training opportunities, and short course offerings, with the project having been partially funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Tech Hubs program.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to educational institutions and organizations to develop programs that prepare students for careers in the clean energy sector, focusing on skills development and workforce readiness.

Illinois Humanities is accepting applications for its Action Grants, which are designed to support projects that delve into the digital humanities, introduce innovative audience engagement techniques, and cultivate new and diverse audiences. These grants align with Illinois Humanities' broader mission to foster public humanities work and promote civic engagement throughout the state. The primary beneficiaries of these grants are Illinois-based nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations or those with a fiscal sponsor. Priority is given to smaller organizations with an annual budget of $1 million or less, aiming to empower a wider range of community-based initiatives. The impact goal is to stimulate more risk-taking, experimental, and engaging public humanities work, ultimately enriching the cultural landscape of Illinois. The program prioritizes projects that are deeply rooted in the humanities, including various media projects such as oral history, filmmaking, journalism, and storytelling. This focus ensures that the funded initiatives contribute to a deeper understanding and appreciation of human culture, history, and values. Expected outcomes include the successful implementation of projects that explore digital humanities, engage new audiences, and apply innovative techniques. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond the project's successful execution, the emphasis on "engaging public humanities work" suggests an outcome of increased public participation and appreciation for humanities-based initiatives. The maximum funding available per project is up to $4,000. Organizations cannot have an open Vision, Action, or General Operating grant to be eligible.

The Operations and Program Grant program by the Quad Cities Community Foundation aims to provide essential general operating or program support to successful ongoing efforts. This initiative aligns with the Community Foundation’s strategic commitment to effective grantmaking practices by offering flexible and reliable funding. A key aspect of this alignment is the preference given to general operating support requests, acknowledging their crucial role in the long-term success of nonprofit organizations. The program allows for both one-year and two-year funding requests, enabling organizations to secure stable support for their critical work. The program targets nonprofit organizations located in Scott County, IA, or Rock Island County, IL. Organizations outside these counties but within a 60-mile radius of Rock Island, IL, are eligible for funding from the Amy Helpenstell Foundation Fund only. The program's impact goals are broad, covering various fields of interest including Animals & Environment, Arts & Culture, Community Development, Education, Health, and Youth Development. By supporting these diverse areas, the Community Foundation aims to address a wide range of community needs and foster overall well-being in the Quad Cities region. The Operations and Program Grant program prioritizes several key areas. Preference is given to applications seeking general operating support and those supporting existing successful organizations or programs. The program also focuses on organizations and programs that meet an identified community need in at least one of the six fields of interest, demonstrate effectiveness in achieving their goals, and strongly contribute to overall success. Furthermore, a significant focus is placed on organizations that advance racial and other forms of equity in the Quad Cities region through their actions and leadership, and those with a track record of success and positive community impact. Expected outcomes include enhanced organizational stability and effectiveness for nonprofits, improved community well-being across various sectors, and the advancement of equity in the Quad Cities region. Measurable results are tied to the effectiveness of programs, the achievement of organizational goals relative to dollars used, and the demonstrated positive community impact. The Community Foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change are evident in its commitment to flexible and reliable funding, its focus on general operating support, and its emphasis on supporting established, successful initiatives that address identified community needs and promote equity. Each fund within the program maintains its original purposes and donor intent, ensuring that grants are awarded in alignment with specific areas such as risk management, arts and culture, or youth development.

Illinois Humanities' Multiplier Grants program supports project-based partnerships that foster broader community engagement, place-based community building, and coalition or network development within Illinois. This initiative aligns with the foundation's mission to strengthen the humanities throughout the state by championing collaboration and making valuable connections. The program emphasizes that buy-in from all partners is crucial before proposal submission, underscoring a strategic priority for collaborative efforts that amplify the impact of humanities work. The grants target nonprofit organizations, including those with a fiscal sponsor, that are based in Illinois and have projects rooted in the humanities. Priority is given to organizations with an annual budget of $1 million or less, ensuring support for smaller entities that may have limited access to funding. The primary beneficiaries are under-funded and under-served communities, as well as those whose histories and stories are often overlooked or forgotten. The program aims to empower these communities through humanities initiatives, fostering a more inclusive and representative understanding of Illinois's diverse heritage. The program's priorities and focuses include projects that impact under-funded, under-served communities and initiatives that tell stories of forgotten or uncovered history and themes. These preferences reflect Illinois Humanities' strategic priorities to address historical inequities and promote public access to humanities scholarship and programming. The foundation's theory of change likely centers on the belief that by supporting collaborative, community-driven humanities projects, they can foster stronger community bonds, enhance cultural understanding, and create a more equitable and engaged citizenry across Illinois. Expected outcomes include increased collaboration among nonprofits and humanities groups, greater community engagement with humanities topics, and the successful telling of diverse historical narratives. Measurable results could include the number of partnerships formed, the reach of the projects within targeted communities, and the creation of new humanities content or programs. The grants, ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 (up to $10,000), provide vital financial support for these endeavors, enabling organizations to implement impactful projects that align with the foundation's vision for a vibrant and accessible humanities landscape in Illinois.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations in Illinois working to improve broadband access, digital literacy, and inclusion for underserved communities, helping bridge the digital divide and promote economic development.

This grant provides financial support and professional opportunities to contemporary visual artists in select regions, helping them advance their careers and gain exposure in the art community.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Dallas, Detroit, and Chicago that assist working students with job training, career development, and other resources to help them succeed while balancing education and employment.

The CHIditarod Foundation is actively accepting grant applications to support local non-profit organizations dedicated to combating hunger. Their mission is deeply aligned with fostering innovative solutions and strengthening community resources to address food insecurity. The foundation provides two distinct funding opportunities: The CHIditarod Program Development Grant and The CHIditarod Infrastructure Investment Grant, both designed to empower organizations working towards a hunger-free community. The grants target non-profits operating in Northern Illinois that are recognized as 501(c)(3) organizations or have fiscal sponsorship from one. These organizations should be in good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State and registered with the Illinois Attorney General. The ultimate impact goal is to create a more food-secure environment within these communities. The foundation prioritizes programs that focus on a range of critical areas. These include innovative educational opportunities, building strong partnerships with other organizations and policy-relevant leaders engaged in local issues, and initiatives centered around health, nutrition, or creative work on various aspects of food. A key focus is on innovation that addresses challenges related to food access and availability, ensuring that creative and effective solutions are brought to the forefront. While specific measurable results are not detailed in the provided information, the foundation's strategic priorities implicitly aim for improved food access, enhanced nutritional outcomes, and strengthened community capacity to address hunger. By supporting program development and infrastructure, the CHIditarod Foundation operates on a theory of change that by investing in innovative and collaborative local efforts, significant strides can be made in eradicating hunger and fostering sustainable solutions within Northern Illinois.

The Illinois Humanities Microgrants program supports individuals and small organizations that engage the public with local and regional history collections. This initiative aligns with the foundation's mission to foster an appreciation for the humanities and historical understanding within communities. By providing financial assistance, Illinois Humanities empowers stewards of history to educate and enlighten their communities, emphasizing the value of archives, texts, stories, and photography. The target beneficiaries include individuals, nonprofit organizations, and public institutions such as schools, government institutions, libraries, museums, and churches. The program prioritizes applicants, historical content, or audiences focused within Illinois, with a particular emphasis on organizations having annual budgets less than $400,000. The impact goal is to strengthen historical engagement and education at the local level, ensuring that diverse communities have opportunities to connect with and learn from their past. The program's priorities and focuses revolve around supporting grassroots efforts to bring history to the public. It provides grants of $750, with optional additional stipends: up to $250 for accessibility services like ASL interpretation or captioning, and up to $100 for media services such as documentation and photography. These optional funds highlight the program's commitment to inclusive access and effective dissemination of historical knowledge, reflecting a strategic priority to make history broadly available and engaging. Expected outcomes include an increase in public programs and events that utilize local and regional history collections, enhanced community engagement with historical narratives, and greater accessibility for diverse audiences. Measurable results could include the number of events supported, audience attendance, and the adoption of accessibility and media documentation practices. This program serves as a practical application of Illinois Humanities' strategic goal to support community-driven humanities projects and their theory of change, which posits that by empowering local actors, historical understanding and civic engagement will flourish.

This grant invites professional artists based in Illinois to create a permanent public art installation at the University of Illinois Springfield Library Commons, enhancing the space's focus on student success and sustainability.

The Eastside Arts Initiative (EAI) is a grant-making program administered by LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes (LA Plaza). Its core mission is to support arts initiatives and foster collaborations to advance the arts specifically within eastern Los Angeles County. This aligns directly with LA Plaza's broader goal of promoting culture and arts within the community. The EAI aims to play a crucial role in enhancing the arts landscape of Eastern LA County by providing funding for visual, literary, and performance arts programs, while also nurturing local artists and arts organizations to create innovative work. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are individual artists and arts organizations serving communities in Eastern LA County. This includes areas such as Westlake/Rampart/Downtown LA to East L.A., Northeast LA to the San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys, and the Southeast LA/Gateway communities. The impact goals are centered around filling arts/cultural needs, fostering long-lasting value, and opening pathways to opportunities in the visual and performing arts for these communities and their residents. By supporting local artists and organizations, the EAI seeks to strengthen the artistic infrastructure and provide enriching cultural experiences. Funding priorities for the EAI grants are based on a competitive process, evaluating proposals on several key merits. These include Significance, where the program must address a community arts/cultural need and demonstrate long-lasting value; Distinction/Innovation, emphasizing creative and unique concepts; Approach, requiring well-thought-out implementation and outreach plans; Suitability, ensuring realistic budgets and goals; and EAI Partner, focusing on programs that further the arts in Eastern LA County and create opportunities. These priorities collectively guide the selection of projects that are most likely to achieve the EAI's objectives and generate a positive impact. The EAI expects several measurable outcomes from its grants. Successful programs should demonstrate how they fill an arts/cultural need and have long-lasting value in the community. They should also showcase creative and innovative concepts, along with well-executed implementation and outreach plans. Grants range from $2,500 to $10,000 for individual artists (requiring a fiscal agent) and $10,000 to $25,000 for 501(c)(3) non-profit arts organizations. The total funding available for this cycle is up to $150,000. Expected results include increased participation in the arts, development of innovative creative work, and strengthened arts organizations within the targeted communities. All grants must be utilized within one year of award, with closing reports due two months after program conclusion, ensuring accountability and measurable progress.

The City of Evanston's Small Business Recovery Program is designed to safeguard the local small business economy and preserve the city's economic and cultural fabric. While not explicitly a foundation, the City of Evanston's mission alignment with this program is evident in its commitment to supporting the independent businesses that define the city's identity. This initiative directly addresses the sustained negative economic impacts of the pandemic on these vital businesses. The program primarily targets existing small, independently owned brick-and-mortar businesses in Evanston, particularly focusing on minority, disadvantaged, and veteran-owned enterprises. To be eligible, businesses must have been operating on or before March 13, 2020, possess a physical Evanston location with proper registration/licensing, and have 50 or fewer employees. The overarching impact goal is to facilitate recovery from the pandemic's economic downturn, ensuring these businesses can continue to operate and contribute to the community. The program prioritizes a range of services and expenses to achieve its goals. These include facade improvements, rehabilitation/renovation of commercial properties, signage, professional services (accounting, tax, insurance, legal), marketing/communications technical assistance, capital expenditures (tools and equipment), training and certifications, relocation/expansion within Evanston (for qualified census tracts), and hiring/training of new employees. The maximum grant amount per applicant is $25,000, with other eligible expenses capped at $10,000. Priority will be given to M/W/D/EBE businesses or those located in qualified census tracts if applications exceed available funding. The expected outcomes include the revitalization of small businesses, job retention and creation, and an overall strengthening of Evanston's local economy. Measurable results will likely stem from the types of expenses funded, such as improved business appearance, enhanced operational efficiency through new equipment, increased marketing reach, and expanded workforces. The City's strategic priority is to prevent business closures and stimulate economic growth post-pandemic, operating on the theory that direct financial and technical assistance to vulnerable small businesses is the most effective way to achieve a resilient local economy and maintain its unique cultural identity.

Grant Opportunity: Short-term Teaching Artist Residency Program (Illinois) The Short-term Teaching Artist Residency Program in Illinois supports elementary schools, community centers, and public libraries in engaging teaching artists for short-term residencies. The program prioritizes advancing equity and access in the arts, particularly for underserved audiences such as BIPOC communities, individuals with disabilities, older adults, and those with limited access to the arts. Eligible applicants can request a minimum of $250 and a maximum of $4,500 to cover 75% of residency costs. Additional percentages can be added under specific conditions. Applicants must be tax-exempt organizations or units of government in Illinois, while the selected artists must be based in Illinois. The application deadline is at least eight weeks before the project start date. For more information, visit Short-term Teaching Artist Residency Program.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is offering the Illinois Grocery Initiative New Stores in Food Deserts program to enhance access to fresh food in underserved areas. This grant program is designed to incentivize the establishment of new grocery stores within "food deserts," which are census tracts characterized by specific poverty standards, population density, and limited food accessibility. The core mission alignment is to combat food insecurity and improve public health by addressing the systemic issue of inadequate access to nutritious food. The primary target beneficiaries of this program are communities residing in identified food deserts across all counties in Illinois. The impact goals are to alleviate food insecurity, increase the availability of fresh and healthy food options, and foster economic development within these communities. The program prioritizes supporting the establishment of new grocery stores by offering competitive grants to cover eligible capital and non-capital costs, effectively reducing the financial barriers for businesses willing to operate in these challenging environments. Expected outcomes include a significant increase in the number of new grocery stores operating in food desert areas, leading to improved food access for residents. Measurable results will be tracked through quarterly performance data submitted by grantees. These measures encompass the completion of new store project milestones, quarterly food sales, the sustained operation of new grocery stores for at least one year post-completion, and the number of employees in full-time equivalents. These metrics will allow DCEO to assess the program's effectiveness in achieving its objectives. The DCEO's strategic priority through this initiative is to directly address social determinants of health and economic equity by ensuring all Illinois residents have equitable access to healthy food options. The underlying theory of change is that by providing financial incentives for new grocery stores in food deserts, the market will respond to the unmet demand for fresh food, thereby improving community health, increasing local employment, and revitalizing underserved areas. The total funding allocated is $14 million across multiple rounds, with individual awards ranging from $160,000 to $2,400,000, demonstrating a substantial commitment to this strategic goal. The project period is from July 1st, 2024, to December 31st, 2026.

This grant provides funding for public art projects in Waukegan, Illinois, that promote cultural appreciation, artistic expression, and community engagement among its residents.

This grant provides financial support to public agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations for the preservation and interpretation of historic sites along the Route 66 corridor, with a focus on underrepresented communities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that train a diverse workforce for Illinois' film and television industry, focusing on underrepresented and underserved populations.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations focused on developing a skilled workforce in Illinois' clean energy sector, particularly for underserved communities.

This grant provides funding to Illinois nonprofit organizations to create legal information centers and projects that help residents understand and navigate the legal system, particularly in areas like family law, housing, and immigration.