GrantExec

Illinois Employment Labor and Training Grants

Explore 146 grant opportunities

Workforce Upskilling for HVAC Supply Chain Manufacturers
$2,000,000
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
State

Application Deadline

Dec 10, 2025

Date Added

Nov 11, 2025

This grant provides funding to support training programs for HVAC and plumbing supply chain manufacturers in St. Clair County, Illinois, aimed at enhancing workforce skills and job readiness.

Workforce Development
County governments
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Economic Development Program
$1,000,000
Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (IDCEO)
State
Rolling

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Jul 28, 2025

This program provides financial assistance to Illinois local governments to support private businesses in creating and retaining jobs for low-to-moderate income individuals in economically distressed areas.

Community Development
City or township governments
Finish Line Grant Program
$75,000
Invest Aurora
Private
Rolling

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Jun 5, 2025

This program provides financial assistance to small commercial and mixed-use property owners and tenants in Aurora, Illinois, for essential property improvements and renovations.

Infrastructure
Small businesses
Great Lakes Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program
$40,000,000
Minneapolis Foundation
Private

Application Deadline

Nov 1, 2026

Date Added

Dec 9, 2024

This program provides $40 million in funding to support environmental and public health initiatives in underserved communities across the Great Lakes region, prioritizing tribal governments, small nonprofits, and local organizations addressing environmental challenges.

Environment
City or township governments
SBIR/STTR Match Program
$50,000
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
State

Application Deadline

Jun 30, 2026

Date Added

Jan 28, 2025

This program provides financial support to Illinois-based for-profit businesses that have received a federal Phase I SBIR or STTR grant, helping them advance their innovative research and pursue further funding opportunities.

Science and Technology
Small businesses
Aurora Women’s Empowerment Foundation Grant Program
Contact for amount
Aurora Women’s Empowerment Foundation (AWEF)
Private
Rolling

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Dec 6, 2023

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in the greater Aurora, Illinois area that empower women, particularly women of color, through programs focused on education, economic empowerment, and racial equity.

Women & Girl Services
Nonprofits
Business Attraction Prime Sites
$25,000,000
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
State

Application Deadline

Jun 30, 2026

Date Added

Jul 1, 2025

This program provides financial support to businesses looking to relocate or expand in Illinois, encouraging significant job creation and investment in key industries like life sciences and advanced manufacturing.

Business and Commerce
For profit organizations other than small businesses
Economic Development Program
$2,000,000
Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)
State
Rolling

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Jul 28, 2025

This funding initiative provides financial support to local governments in Illinois for transportation infrastructure improvements that facilitate business growth and job creation.

Transportation
County governments
The Dow Last Mile Fund for Manufacturing & Skilled Trades
$5,000
Last Mile Education Fund
Private
Rolling

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Dec 7, 2023

This initiative provides financial support to students in manufacturing and skilled trades programs at institutions near Dow facilities, helping them overcome financial barriers to complete their education and advance their careers.

Workforce Development
Individuals
Economic Development Program (EDP)
$2,000,000
Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)
State
Rolling

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Jan 27, 2025

This grant provides funding to local governments in Illinois for roadway improvements that facilitate job creation and retention by supporting new or expanding businesses.

Infrastructure
City or township governments
ETIP Strategic Sectors Single Company Grant
$10,000,000
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
State
Rolling

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Nov 16, 2025

This program provides financial support to Illinois-based companies in strategic sectors for job training initiatives that enhance employee skills and promote economic growth.

Workforce Development
For profit organizations other than small businesses
VNA Foundation Invites LOIs for Services Benefiting Chicago’s Medically Underserved
$80,000
VNA Foundation
Private
Rolling

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Feb 28, 2024

This funding opportunity provides financial support for healthcare programs that serve medically underserved communities in the Chicago area, prioritizing initiatives led by nurses.

Health
Nonprofits
Small Business Development Centers
$525,000
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
State

Application Deadline

Dec 3, 2025

Date Added

Nov 4, 2025

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Illinois-based organizations that assist small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs with essential services like business planning, financial analysis, and access to capital, particularly in underserved and rural areas.

Business and Commerce
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
Dekalb County Community Foundation Promise Grant
$5,000
DeKalb County Community Foundation
Local

Application Deadline

Oct 1, 2024

Date Added

Sep 4, 2024

The DeKalb County Community Foundation Promise Grants, ranging from $1000 to $10,000, aim to support charitable organizations in DeKalb County, Illinois, that empower underserved populations, with a focus on projects related to healthcare, affordable housing, and enhancing quality of life.

Infrastructure
Nonprofits
Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program
$1,000,000,000
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
State

Application Deadline

Feb 26, 2025

Date Added

Feb 10, 2025

This program provides funding to organizations for projects that improve broadband access in underserved and unserved communities across Illinois, promoting digital equity and economic growth.

Diversity Equity and Inclusion
City or township governments
SNAP & TANF E&T Training and Technical Assistance
$350,000
Illinois Human Services
State

Application Deadline

Jul 11, 2024

Date Added

Jun 17, 2024

To ensure that employment & training programs are providing exceptional services to SNAP and TANF customers and their families in Illinois, E&T Training, Technical Assistance(E&T-TTA) is provided to community-based organizations, direct service workers, units of local government, system stakeholders, etc. in regard to Department program models, data collection systems, best practices in collaborative career planning, employability assessments, employment placement, education & training, trauma-informed motivational interviewing, principles and practices of racial equity and various other provider identified trainings and support activities. Additional E&T-TTA functions include an online resource center, networking activities, a training advisory group and the capacity to provide the staff support for various ad-hoc committees to ensure provider input related to program development and improvement activities.

Workforce Development
Nonprofits
Jackson Community Grants
Contact for amount
Jackson National Life Insurance Company (Jackson)
Private

Application Deadline

Sep 12, 2024

Date Added

Jul 15, 2024

The Jackson National Life Insurance Company (Jackson) offers Community grants aimed at strengthening families and increasing economic opportunities. These grants align with Jackson's mission to support non-profits that positively impact individual trajectories and provide stability for families. The program has two main focus areas: Economic Opportunities and Strong Families, reflecting the foundation's strategic priorities to build on stability and help break cycles of poverty and trauma. Under the Economic Opportunities focus, Jackson supports non-profits that provide access to finance, employment, and education. This includes initiatives related to Career Pathways and Job Skills, Financial Education and Coaching, and Homeownership and Wealth Building. The expected outcome is to change individual trajectories by providing the tools and resources necessary for financial independence and stability. While specific measurable results are not explicitly stated, the focus on tangible areas like job skills and homeownership implies a theory of change where targeted interventions lead to improved economic well-being. The Strong Families focus is dedicated to supporting non-profits that help families overcome generational poverty and trauma by addressing their most critical needs. This encompasses programs providing Emergency Shelter, Access to Food, Intervention and care after crisis, Resilient Parenting and accessible Childcare, and Youth Mentoring. The goal is to provide stability and support, leading to a break in cycles of poverty and trauma. The foundation's theory of change here is that by providing foundational support and care, families can achieve greater resilience and well-being. Jackson awards funding to local nonprofits in specific geographic areas, including Lansing, MI, Nashville, TN, and Chicago, IL, through a competitive grant process. The eligibility criteria emphasize support for 501(c)3 tax-exempt organizations, with specific restrictions against funding individuals, private foundations, certain health and disease-specific organizations, religious organizations (unless broadly accessible and free from religious orientation), and schools or school-affiliated sports teams/clubs. This highlights Jackson's commitment to partnering with established non-profits that align with their community-focused mission and strategic priorities.

Infrastructure
Nonprofits
2025 Community Development Block Grant for Public Services in Illinois
Contact for amount
City of DeKalb
Local

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Nov 14, 2024

This funding opportunity supports non-profit organizations in DeKalb, Illinois, that provide essential services to help homeless individuals, low-income residents, the elderly, and people with disabilities achieve greater independence and self-sufficiency.

Community Development
Nonprofits
Tourism Incentive Grant Program
$5,000,000
Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity
State

Application Deadline

May 1, 2024

Date Added

Mar 8, 2024

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity issues a Notice of Funding Opportunity to establish an incentive grant program to attract new out of state events to Illinois when competing with other destinations. The program supports local development of competitive packages to secure events that generate hotel room nights and economic impact. Allowable costs may include venue rental and staging, event rentals, food and non alcoholic beverages and service labor, audio visual support and service labor, entertainment as part of an otherwise planned event, registration and event management software and services, transportation shuttles tied to master accounts, bid fees, and room night credits that exceed stated thresholds. Disallowed costs include venue owned items when the applicant controls the facility and assets. Performance goals include hotel room nights booked, economic impact, and attraction or retention of events that would not otherwise occur in Illinois. Eligible applicants include units of local government, local promotion groups, not for profit organizations, for profit organizations, and convention center authorities. Entities must be registered in the state’s GATA grantee portal with valid identifiers, good standing, and absence from exclusion lists. Awards will range from 50,000 to 5,000,000 dollars from a total expected pool of 15,000,000 dollars. The period of performance is expected to run from January 25, 2024 through January 31, 2029. Applications are due May 1, 2024 through the department’s process. Proposals should document public benefit and compliance with eligibility and performance measures. Additional information is available from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

Safety
County governments
Illinois Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program
$37,900,000
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic opportunity
State

Application Deadline

Jun 30, 2024

Date Added

Apr 19, 2024

The Illinois Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program is aimed at developing a skilled workforce to support clean jobs in Illinois. The program, funded by the state, is anticipated to offer 13 awards with a total funding amount of $37,900,000. No specific award range is specified. The program is open for applications starting July 7, 2023, and will close on June 30, 2024, at 5:00 PM. Technical assistance for applicants is available, with a session scheduled for July 14, 2023 at 3:00 PM; registration link for the session is provided in the original document.

Employment Labor and Training
Nonprofits