Illinois Infrastructure Grants

This grant provides funding to support the establishment of new grocery stores in underserved areas of Illinois, aiming to improve access to fresh and affordable food in food deserts.

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.

The Community Foundation of the Quincy Area awards Community Grants to strengthen nonprofit services and enhance quality of life across a 12 county region in Illinois and Missouri. The program honors donor intent while supporting projects that meet needs and advance opportunities throughout the service area. Priority is given to proposals that enable unique, innovative, or proven solutions to community needs; make a significant impact on the overall request; expand or enhance mission delivery, especially for underserved or at risk populations; leverage community collaborations; and reach a significant number of residents across the region. Grants in 2024 will generally range from 1,000 to 7,500 dollars and may support programs, projects, or general operations as specified. Eligible applicants include registered 501(c)(3) organizations, units of government or municipalities for public or charitable purposes, and faith based organizations for community programs that do not promote or require religious doctrine. Projects must serve at least one of the following counties: Adams, Brown, Hancock, or Pike in Illinois and Clark, Knox, Lewis, Marion, Monroe, Pike, Ralls, or Shelby in Missouri. Applications are due May 1, 2024 through the foundation’s process. Official details and instructions are available from the Community Foundation of the Quincy Area.

Will County has allocated $225,000 in grant funding to support early child care providers within the county. This grant program aims to enhance the quality of child care services by funding improvements in educational materials, physical environments, technology, and developmental support services. The program's mission aligns with fostering a robust early childhood education ecosystem, recognizing the critical role these providers play in child development and community well-being. The grant targets DCFS Licensed Childcare Providers located in Will County. Priority is given to providers serving specific populations, including children ages birth to five in Will County R3 Zones, those receiving Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) funds, children 0-5 years of age whose families speak English as a Second Language (ESL), children in the Early Intervention program, children with developmental or medical diagnoses, and children with active Individually Education Plans (IEP) in the public school system. The impact goal is to strengthen the capacity of these providers to offer high-quality care, particularly to vulnerable populations, ensuring equitable access to developmental and educational resources. The program prioritizes several key areas for funding. These include the acquisition of educational materials such as books, art supplies, and STEAM/STEM resources; improvements to the physical environment including safety, sanitation, furniture, and air/water filtration; technology upgrades for security systems, computer software for administrative tasks, and parent communication; and developmental supports like screening tools, consultant hiring, social-emotional program enhancements, and health screenings. The focus is on creating safe, stimulating, and technologically advanced environments that cater to the holistic developmental needs of young children. Expected outcomes include improved learning environments, enhanced safety and health standards, more efficient administrative processes, and increased access to specialized developmental support services for children. Measurable results will be seen through the implementation of new educational tools, upgraded facilities, advanced technology systems, and the provision of targeted developmental interventions. The ultimate goal is to contribute to the overall well-being and readiness for school of Will County's young children, thereby supporting the county's broader strategic priorities in early childhood development and community health.

This program provides funding and leadership opportunities for high school students in DeKalb County, Illinois, to engage in philanthropy and support initiatives that improve the quality of life for local youth.

This program provides funding to local fire departments and districts in Illinois for the rehabilitation or construction of fire stations to improve their service capabilities.

The Regional Site Readiness Program’s Planning Grant, funded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, offers $100,000 to $500,000 to local governments, economic development organizations, nonprofits, for-profit organizations, and private landowners for planning and due diligence activities aimed at preparing industrial and manufacturing sites for future development across all counties in Illinois.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local public agencies in Illinois for improving safety at rail-highway crossings through various infrastructure enhancements and safety measures.

This initiative provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Chicago to create or improve youth and community centers, addressing the urgent need for safe spaces for young people in areas with high youth populations.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local governments affected by the closure or reduced operation of the Zion Nuclear Plant, aimed at fostering economic development and addressing community impacts through various initiatives.

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 program provides funding to local organizations in Iroquois County to enhance their existing food, shelter, and emergency assistance services for individuals and families in need.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is offering the 2024 Monarch Butterfly and Pollinators Conservation Fund (Pollinator Fund) to advance pollinator conservation. The core mission of this fund is to protect, conserve, and increase habitat for the monarch butterfly and other native insect pollinators. This aligns with NFWF’s broader Monarch Butterfly Business Plan, indicating a strategic, long-term commitment to these species. The fund aims to support both technical assistance for private working lands and direct habitat improvement projects. The target beneficiaries of this grant program include monarch butterflies and other at-risk native insect pollinator species, such as the rusty patched bumble bee, Franklin’s bumble bee, Karner blue butterfly, Dakota skipper, Poweshiek skipperling, and Mitchell’s satyr. The program also indirectly benefits private landowners, farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners, especially those in Historically Underserved and Special Emphasis categories, by providing resources and incentives for conservation practices on their lands. The overall impact goal is to significantly enhance the quality, quantity, and connectivity of pollinator habitat across eligible states. The Pollinator Fund has two main categories of focus. The first is Technical Assistance for Private Working Lands, which prioritizes increasing voluntary engagement of private landowners in conservation practices through staff resources and targeted outreach for Farm Bill programs like CSP and EQIP. The second category, Habitat Improvement, focuses on on-the-ground restoration and enhancement of pollinator habitat, emphasizing regionally appropriate milkweed and diverse native nectar plants, as well as increasing the supply of native seeds and seedlings. These priorities align with NFWF's strategic goal of fostering sustainable ecosystems through direct habitat restoration and incentivizing private land stewardship. Expected outcomes and measurable results are central to this program. All proposals must demonstrate how they will directly and measurably contribute to the Pollinator Fund's goals, specifically by providing the number of acres restored or enhanced. A minimum of 100 acres in California or 500 acres in all other eligible states must be restored or enhanced. Historically, successful projects have averaged 2,120 acres, indicating a substantial scale for expected impact. The program's theory of change posits that by providing financial assistance and technical support, and by focusing on key geographical areas and species, NFWF can effectively reverse declines in monarch and other native pollinator populations, thereby contributing to broader ecosystem health and biodiversity. The total funding of up to $5.1 million in 2024, contributed by a diverse group of partners, underscores the collaborative and impactful nature of this strategic initiative.

The Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust's grant program aims to enhance the quality of life for companion animals and native wildlife. This mission aligns with the foundation's core belief in supporting innovative projects that go beyond basic care, providing long-term benefits for animals today and in the future. The trust focuses on helping organizations deliver an enhanced quality of life for homeless and abused companion animals. The target beneficiaries of this grant program include homeless and abused companion animals, native wildlife, and owned companion animals in under-resourced urban/rural areas or those owned by socially vulnerable populations. Impact goals include increasing successful adoptions, improving staff and volunteer care delivery, promoting humane education, enhancing access to medical care, and controlling pet and feral animal populations through spay/neuter initiatives. The program prioritizes several key areas: animal adoption, behavior training, and fostering; continuing education and training for staff and volunteers; humane and wildlife education; medical care, rehabilitation, and wellness care for animals; pet and feral animal population control through spay/neuter; equipment directly benefiting animals; and other animal care initiatives that celebrate the human-animal bond. Preferred projects include non-capital means of expanding shelter capacity, opportunities for staff and volunteer development, school and community programs addressing humane care, and assistance for owned pets from under-resourced households. Expected outcomes and measurable results include increased successful adoptions, improved delivery of care by staff and volunteers, enhanced community understanding of animal welfare, better access to medical care for vulnerable animal populations, and a reduction in unwanted pet populations. The foundation's strategic priorities are centered on supporting initiatives that lead to a high quality of life for individual animals and significant improvements for large numbers of animals. Their theory of change is that by funding innovative projects and supporting eligible organizations, they can foster better humane care, improve animal well-being, and address critical issues such as overpopulation and lack of access to care, ultimately creating a more compassionate environment for animals.

This grant provides matching funds to commercial property owners and businesses in specific zoning districts of Libertyville, Illinois, to improve the appearance and condition of their buildings and sites.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for small and mid-sized manufacturers in Illinois to develop internship and workforce training programs that enhance skills and address labor shortages.

The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) administers grants for various purposes such as boosting the economy, promoting a clean environment, and enhancing quality of life in Illinois, covering costs related to land or building acquisition, including potential construction or renovation post-purchase.

This funding opportunity provides financial assistance to volunteer-driven nonprofit organizations in Golconda, Illinois, for the redevelopment and stabilization of a historic building to enhance community safety and economic activity.

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.

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.