Illinois Environment Grants

This funding opportunity provides financial support to eligible contractors for developing renewable energy and energy efficiency projects that benefit low-income communities and promote workforce training in Illinois.

This grant provides funding to Illinois courts and related offices to improve accessibility for individuals with disabilities, ensuring they can fully participate in court activities and receive necessary accommodations.

The Heart of Illinois Community Foundation's Impact100 Grant Program is currently seeking applications, inviting proposals across a broad spectrum of community needs. While the explicit mission alignment and strategic priorities of the foundation are not detailed in the provided text, the grant program itself demonstrates an implicit commitment to fostering positive change in areas vital to community well-being. By supporting projects in arts/culture/recreation, social services, conservation/environment, health, youth, and education, the foundation aligns with a general philanthropic mission to enhance the quality of life for residents within its service area. The program's openness to operating funds, one-time projects addressing critical needs, new or expanding programs, and improvement projects beyond an organization's means, indicates a flexible and responsive approach to community investment. The target beneficiaries for this grant program are primarily non-profit organizations that serve the residents of Macon, Piatt, and Moultrie counties, or Paris, IL. Specifically, organizations with 501(c)(3) status or other qualified charitable, religious, or government organizations are eligible. A prioritization is given to 501(c)(3) organizations recognized by the IRS as operating public charities for a minimum of three years, suggesting a focus on established and sustainable entities. The overarching impact goal is to address critical needs within these communities by funding projects that fall within the designated categories. The grant program focuses on a diverse range of project types and subject areas. These include arts/culture/recreation, social services, conservation/environment, health, youth, and education. This broad scope indicates a desire to support a holistic improvement of community life. The funding also specifically supports operating funds, one-time projects addressing critical needs, new or expanding programs, and improvement projects. These priorities highlight the foundation's understanding that effective community support can take many forms, from sustaining ongoing operations to catalyzing new initiatives and addressing urgent needs. While specific expected outcomes and measurable results are not explicitly detailed in the provided text, the nature of the supported project types implies a desire for tangible community benefits. For instance, funding for social services would likely aim for improved well-being for vulnerable populations, while education grants would seek enhanced learning opportunities. Similarly, support for conservation/environment would aim for improved ecological health, and health grants for better public health outcomes. Organizations applying are likely expected to articulate their own specific, measurable outcomes that align with the foundation's broad areas of interest, demonstrating how their proposed projects will generate positive, quantifiable change within the communities served. With $200,000 available funding for 2024 and individual grants ranging from no minimum to $50,000, the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation is strategically investing in local organizations that are working to address the most pressing issues in Macon, Piatt, and Moultrie counties, and Paris, IL. Their theory of change, while not explicitly stated, appears to be rooted in empowering local non-profits to effect positive change through direct service, program development, and critical infrastructure improvements. By providing financial resources to a diverse array of projects, the foundation aims to strengthen the social fabric and overall vitality of the communities it serves, ultimately contributing to a healthier, more vibrant region.

The purpose of the EECBG Program is to assist eligible local governments ("eligible entities") in implementing strategies to reduce fossil fuel emissions, reduce total energy use, improve energy efficiency, and build a clean and equitable energy economy. The Illinois EPA Office of Energy identified the following project topic areas for funding eligibility: Energy Planning and Energy Efficiency: Energy Audits, Building Upgrades. Entities may develop various programs and projects that address one or more of the purposes in a cost effective manner that is of maximum benefit to the population served. Funding may not be used for regularly scheduled maintenance.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has launched the Community Solar Energy Sovereignty Grant Program, aimed at supporting the pre-development and development of community solar projects. With an allocation of $8.5 million, the program offers grants ranging from $50,000 to $1,000,000 to facilitate community ownership and energy sovereignty in Illinois, particularly in equity investment eligible communities. These include areas affected by economic exclusion and pollution, as identified in the Restore Reinvest Renew (R3) Areas and Environmental Justice Communities. The program emphasizes community benefits, local wealth building, and addresses capital barriers in disadvantaged populations. Activities eligible for funding include early stage planning, team organization, site identification, financing, and customer outreach, with a focus on creating sustainable community solar cooperatives.

This program provides funding to Illinois-based nonprofits, educational institutions, and government entities to enhance the specialty crop industry, focusing on food safety, research, and support for underserved farmers.

This funding opportunity provides $10,000 to individual artists in Illinois to support their professional development and enhance community engagement through their creative practices.

This program provides hydration stations to community organizations and educational institutions in Illinois to promote access to safe drinking water and encourage sustainable hydration practices.

The 501vc® Investment Fund is seeking to invest $200,000 to $300,000 in early-stage climate tech startups in the Greater Midwest region, focusing on sectors like advanced materials, renewable energy, and agriculture technologies.

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This program provides funding to certified convention and visitors bureaus in Illinois to enhance tourism and promote activities related to the 100th anniversary of Route 66.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is launching the Clean Energy Primes Contractor Accelerator Program through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). This program is designed to foster the development and growth of clean energy contractor businesses, directly aligning with the broader goals of the Energy Transition Act, also known as the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). The program's mission is rooted in strengthening Illinois's clean energy sector by empowering small and emerging businesses to participate more fully in the clean energy economy, which is a key strategic priority for the state in transitioning towards a more sustainable and equitable energy future. The target beneficiaries of the program are clean energy contractor businesses, particularly focusing on those who can benefit from enhanced capacity building. The program aims to help these businesses grow their operations and secure opportunities within the clean energy market. Key impact goals include increasing the number of certified Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) and other relevant certified vendors, improving their ability to bid on state and private business opportunities, and connecting them with vital financial and programmatic support. The theory of change suggests that by providing targeted support to these contractors, the state can accelerate the adoption of clean energy and create a more inclusive and robust clean energy workforce. The program prioritizes several key areas to achieve its objectives. These include providing one-on-one business coaching tailored to participant needs, offering operational support grants for upfront project and pre-development costs (not exceeding $1,000,000 annually per grant), and delivering technical assistance and training. A significant focus is also placed on assisting businesses in developing comprehensive 5-year business strategies, facilitating connections to financial development assistance like zero-interest and low-interest loans from the Climate Bank, and integrating them into established programs such as the Illinois Power Agency’s Illinois Shines Program and Solar for All Programs. Expected outcomes and measurable results include participant contractors successfully applying for State and private business opportunities, achieving various certifications, and preparing competitive bids for Requests for Proposals. The program anticipates participants becoming listed in relevant directories and databases, actively connecting with and participating in state-sponsored clean energy initiatives, and accessing financial development assistance. Performance will be measured through metrics reviewed monthly during business coaching sessions, aimed at achieving specific growth goals. Ultimately, the program seeks to build the overall capacity of clean energy contractor businesses, contributing to job creation and economic development within the clean energy sector across Northern, Central, and Southern Illinois.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to partner institutions affiliated with the Great Rivers Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit to research and manage the invasive Black Carp species in the upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers.

This initiative provides funding and support to nonprofit organizations, local governments, and Tribal governments in coal-impacted communities to develop and scale innovative economic projects that create job opportunities and foster local economic transformation.

This grant provides $40,000 to small businesses in Springfield, Illinois, that have suffered revenue losses due to construction disruptions near the Capitol Complex.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to technology incubators in Illinois to improve their facilities and services, ultimately promoting economic growth and innovation in the state.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and local government units in McLean County, Illinois, to enhance health and well-being initiatives that address health equity and social determinants of health for underserved populations.

This funding provides local governments in Illinois with financial support to safely collect and dispose of household medical sharps, ensuring public health and safety.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations focused on ecological conservation and management along transportation corridors in Illinois, enabling activities such as wildlife surveys, invasive species control, and prairie restoration.

The City of Evanston's "Sustain Evanston" Incentive Program is a funding tool designed to empower small business owners to implement sustainability measures. This initiative directly aligns with the City’s Climate Action & Resilience Plan, serving the foundational mission of fostering a more sustainable community. By offering financial assistance, the program aims to reduce operating costs for businesses while simultaneously enhancing their service to customers through environmentally friendly practices. This strategic alignment underscores the city's commitment to both economic vitality and ecological responsibility. The primary beneficiaries of this program include commercial property owners, tenants of commercial buildings, business districts, and coalitions of businesses within the City of Evanston. The impact goals are centered on improving the environmental footprint of local businesses, promoting sustainable infrastructure, and encouraging eco-conscious operations. Through these efforts, the program seeks to create a more resilient and environmentally sound local economy, benefiting both businesses and residents. The program prioritizes a broad range of sustainability measures, categorized into capital projects, equipment, services, and education materials. Key focuses include the adoption of heat pumps, EV charging infrastructure, solar PV, waste collection enclosures, green infrastructure like green roofs, and energy-efficient upgrades such as insulation and windows. Equipment priorities involve reusable containers, energy-efficient lighting, and appliances. Services like composting, recycling, energy/water benchmarking, and consulting are also emphasized, alongside educational signage and labels. These priorities reflect a holistic approach to sustainability, addressing various facets of business operations. Expected outcomes include a significant reduction in the operational costs for participating businesses due to increased energy efficiency and waste reduction. Measurable results will likely involve the number of businesses implementing sustainable upgrades, the amount of energy saved, the volume of waste diverted from landfills, and the expansion of green infrastructure within the city. The program's strategic approach is to incentivize tangible changes that collectively contribute to the City’s broader Climate Action & Resilience Plan, acting as a catalyst for widespread sustainable practices within the business community. This aligns with a theory of change where financial incentives drive behavioral and infrastructure changes, leading to a more sustainable and resilient urban environment.