Illinois Humanities Grants

The Governor and the General Assembly direct the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to administer grants for specific miscellaneous purposes to bolster the state’s economy, promote a clean environment, and improve the overall quality of life throughout the state of Illinois. This grant program is available to any entity receiving funding via lump sum appropriation. Eligible costs for this program are bondable costs associated with the acquisition of land and/or buildings. This includes acquisition costs of all improved or unimproved real property including appraisal fees; title opinions; surveying fees; real estate fees; title transfer taxes; condemnation; and related legal expenses. This may include construction on, and/or renovation to, the property after purchase.

It is the policy of the State to enhance the development of all eligible infants and toddlers to minimize developmental delays and maximize individual potential for adult independence. It is the need of the State to implement, on a statewide basis, locally based, comprehensive, coordinated, multidisciplinary, interagency, Early Intervention (EI) services for all eligible infants and toddlers. The EI Program is a statewide program for the evaluation and assessment of infants and toddlers ages birth to three, as well as the provision of services for those who have a qualifying disability or diagnosis, a 30 percent delay in development in one or more of the five developmental domains, or who are at risk of developmental delays. Children and families access EI services through one of 25 Child and Family Connections (CFC) offices. This Notification of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) issued by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), Division of Family and Community Services, Bureau of EI, seeks agencies located within Illinois to serve as the CFC offices for designated geographic areas. (See chart in Appendix I to identify the area served by each CFC office.) CFC offices are the regional intake entities defined in state statute (325 ILCS 20) and rule (89 IL Admin. Code 500) as IDHS’s designated entity responsible for implementation of the EI Program within its designated geographic area. IDHS is required to assure the designation of regional points of entry to accomplish consistent and equitable intake and service coordination throughout the State, with services defined in Section A.2. Separate proposals for each geographical intake region must be submitted for those agencies submitting for more than one geographical intake region.

The Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), managed by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), provides funding for small-scale transportation projects that support active transportation users, including walkers and bicyclists. The program also funds historic preservation, vegetation management, and environmental mitigation transportation projects. Eligible applicants must be sponsored by a member entity of the Tri-County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), and other governmental entities within the MPO planning area must have co-sponsorship. The total program funding is $1,170,320. Applications are accepted from April 17, 2024, to June 28, 2024, with a mandatory technical assistance session offered on May 2, 2024. The federal funds cover 80% of preliminary engineering, utility relocation, construction engineering, and construction costs, with a 20% non-federal match required. Right-of-way and easement acquisitions are funded at 50% federal, 50% non-federal match. Indirect costs are not eligible.

Envisioning Justice Grants supports collectives, non-profit organizations, and other groups that use the arts and humanities to work toward a truly just society. Donor Name: Illinois Humanities State: Illinois City: Selected Cities Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/16/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Prison education programs, independent media, community dialogues, and conferences are just a few of the impactful initiatives they fund to create understanding about mass incarceration and its impact on communities in Illinois. By supporting those doing this important work, they build more affirming, engaged, and empowered communities. Funding Information Organizations can apply for grants of up to $10,000. No matching funds are required. Eligibility Criteria Must be a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization or have a fiscal sponsor Based anywhere in Illinois; individuals from the following areas are particularly encouraged to apply: East St. Louis, Decatur, Carbondale, Galesburg, Urbana-Champaign, and the Bloomington-Normal Metro Area. However, applicants from anywhere in Illinois are eligible. Priority will be given to projects that are: regional or statewide in scope partnership oriented centering impacts of mass incarceration on the following populations: currently or formerly incarcerated individuals people serving long-term sentences young people, particularly those who are justice involved women, particularly women of color and/or impacted by gendered violence LGBTQAI+ community migrants, asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants elderly populations people with disabilities Indigenous populations Or that focus on communities that are: The site of a prison or jail Experiencing significant incarceration; and/or Experiencing significant demographic change as a result of the criminal legal system For more information, visit Illinois Humanities.

Value: The Highland Area Community Foundation (H.A.C.F.) appears to be offering a grant for community-related projects. Applicants are required to submit a proposal narrative that includes a description of the organization's general purpose, objectives, and operational scope; a statement of the problem addressed; details on the purpose and expectations of the specific project for which funding is sought, including its relevance to community needs; a proposed program design; and a detailed project budget including other funding sources. Funds must be used specifically for the purpose stated in the grant award, and a progress report with photos is required within 12 months of receiving the award.

Applications are now being accepted for its Action Grants. Donor Name: Illinois Humanities State: Illinois County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline:  05/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Action Grants cover projects or initiatives that explore the digital humanities, apply new techniques in audience engagement, and build new and diverse audiences. Priority is given to projects that spark more risk-taking and experimental and engaging public humanities work on the part of Illinois nonprofits. Project budgets can cover project expenses as well as engagement activities. Projects must utilize the humanities. Media projects such as oral history, filmmaking, journalism, storytelling, and other disciplines are all a part of this field. Funding Information Up to $4,000. Eligibility Criteria Must be a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization or have a fiscal sponsor Organizations or projects must be Illinois-based The project must be rooted in the humanities Priority given to organizations with an annual budget of $1 million or less Can not have an open Vision, Action, or General Operating grant For more information, visit Illinois Humanities.

Microgrants support individuals and small organizations that invite the public to experience collections of local and regional history. Donor Name: Illinois Humanities State: Illinois County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 09/03/2024 Size of the Grant: Less than $1000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: From archives and texts to stories and photography, they support stewards of history so that they can teach and enlighten their communities and impart the value of archives. Funding Information Grants awards are $750. Optional Accessibility Fund: An additional stipend of up to $250 for services such as American Sign Language interpretation or captioning to help make events more accessible to everyone. Optional Media Fund: An additional stipend of up to $100 for services such as documentation, photography, videography, etc.  Eligibility Criteria  Any individual, nonprofit organization, or public institution (e.g., school, government institution, library, museum, or church) can apply. The applicant, the history you are engaging with, or the audience engaged should be focused in Illinois. Priority is given to organizations with annual budgets of less than $400,000. For more information, visit Illinois Humanities.

Multiplier Grants support projects that represent partnerships of a wider scope, place-based community-building efforts, and/or coalition or network building efforts. Donor Name: Illinois Humanities State: Illinois County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Nonprofit organizations carrying out partnerships and collaborations with other nonprofits, humanities groups, or directly with their audience or community are candidates for this project-based grant. From projects that impact under-funded, under-served communities, to telling stories of forgotten history, these initiatives champion collaboration in the public humanities. Partnering with organizations in this work helps us all to make valuable connections for the humanities throughout Illinois. Preference goes toward projects that impact under-funded, under-served communities, and toward telling stories of forgotten or uncovered history and themes.  Funding Information Up to $10,000 Eligibility Criteria Must be a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization or have a fiscal sponsor Organizations or projects must be Illinois-based The project must be rooted in the humanities Priority given to organizations with an annual budget of $1 million or less Applicants can have an open Activate History, Vision, Action, General Operating, Envisioning Justice, or Foreground Rural Initiative grant Buy-in by all partners before submitting a proposal is a must. Preference will go toward initiatives that impact under-funded, under-served communities. For more information, visit Illinois Humanities.

Grant Name: Landmarks Illinois Banterra Bank Preserve Southern Illinois Grant Program Donor: Landmarks Illinois State: Illinois County: Selected Counties Type of Grant: Grant Grant Size: $500 to $2,500 Details: - Projects must benefit identified Eligible Structures and preservation issues, with priority given to those on the Most Endangered Historic Places list. - Projects must be for preserving commercial properties for economic development. - Preservation work should conform to the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. - Services covered include studies, assessments, stabilization, rehabilitation, surveys, and nominations. Funding Information: - Grants are awarded on a matching basis ranging from $500 to $2,500 based on project need. Eligibility Criteria: - Eligible beneficiaries are owners of significant structures near a commercial corridor in the DCEO Southern Region. - Commercial property owners, nonprofits, or governmental bodies are eligible applicants with legal control of the structure or site and capacity to manage grant funds prudently. A follow-up report is required.