Illinois Infrastructure Grants

The Consolidated Communications Fund for Economic Development and Community Leadership Grants, provided by the Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation, offers financial support to nonprofit organizations in Coles County, Illinois, that aim to enhance workforce skills, entrepreneurship, and business development environment, with a focus on projects that build organizational strength and leadership capacity in areas like fundraising, governance, finance, marketing, and technology.

The Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation is offering the Untold Stories Grants, ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, to institutions in Coles County that aim to preserve, educate, and disseminate stories of historically underrepresented individuals, thereby promoting racial equity and social justice.

The Regional Site Readiness Program’s Capital Ready Grant Program, funded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, offers between $250,000 to $3,000,000 to local governments, economic development organizations, nonprofits, for-profit organizations, and private landowners for infrastructure and capital improvements to prepare sites for future industrial and manufacturing development across all counties in Illinois.

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.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is accepting applications for its Manufacturing Retention Grant Program to retain a company’s operating presence in Illinois by encouraging investments in its employees, facilities, equipment, technologies, and infrastructure. Donor Name: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity State: Illinois County: McDonough County (IL) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/25/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: This is a new program with limited awards, supported though the Enterprise Fund administered by DCEO. Enterprise Fund grants may encompass a wide range of economic development projects including infrastructure, capital equipment purchases and any employee related expenditures that will result in job retention in Illinois.  The primary goal of this grant is to retain the company’s manufacturing campus in Bushnell at operating production levels that support the minimum employment level of 100 employees at this site.  Funding Information Total amount of funding expected to be awarded through this NOFO is $5,000,000. Grant Period The period of performance is expected to be from September 1, 2024 through August 31, 2026.  Eligible Expenses Eligible expenses for these funds include: Employee payroll for existing employees, including unpaid backpay incurred from 5/14/2024 through the time of grant period. Invoices for services incurred from 5/14/2024 through the time of grant period. Training expenses for existing employees.  Machinery, Equipment, Tooling Refurbishment /Replacement (e.g., forging hammers & dies, Swiss lathes, forklift maintenance, EDM mills & dies). Facility Repairs (e.g., roof repair, air compressor installation, safety & electrical upgrades, site demolition & clean-up). Productivity/Innovation (e.g., robotics reprogramming & expansion, induction heat furnaces, material storage redesign). Replenishment of Inventory (e.g., maintain stocking levels at standard amounts to support daily production). Eligibility Criteria Must be a private for-profit business entity.  Must be the legal owner of and have the authority to implement investments in a major manufacturing complex located in Bushnell, IL. Must have extensive direct applicable experience in operating a successful tool manufacturing firm. Business entity must have less than 1,000 employees.  Must have acquired a tool manufacturing firm in McDonough County that has a minimum 100 full-time equivalent employees.  For more information, visit DCEO.

The Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) is a federally-funded grant program that provides financial support for small, crucial projects aimed at improving alternative transportation modes, preserving cultural resources, and enhancing community quality of life, requiring matching funds and timely execution from the project sponsor.

The Regional Site Readiness Program is a grant aimed at providing flexible funding for planning, due diligence activities, and infrastructure improvements to prepare various sites across 10 Economic Development Regions for future industrial development.

Providing grants to certified convention and visitors bureaus for development of tourism, education, preservation and promotion of the 100th anniversary of Route 66. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (the “Department” or “DCEO”) is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) to award grants to certified convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) for the development of tourism, education, preservation and promotion of the 100th anniversary of Route 66 in 2026. The Route 66 grant program is made possible by funds appropriated in Public Act 103-0589.

Research and input from economic development experts indicate that there is a shortage of large sites that can be successfully developed in the desired 1-2year time frame. DCEO intends to offer incentives to encourage infrastructure investment in large industrial sites, in order to make such sites viable alternatives for large economic development projects. A grant provided through this opportunity will support site readiness planning activities and infrastructure investments needed to prepare industrial property to support investment to Winnebago County and new job opportunities in the industrial sector. Mandatory requirements: • Minimum developable acreage: 200 • Eligible entities: Government entity located in Winnebago County that has a documented agreement with a private entity that meets the following requirements: o Reflects that the applicant has authority to perform work on at least 200 contiguous acres of land in Winnebago County o Reflects that the private entity has an executed REV agreement o Reflects that the applicant intends to support the private entity's REV agreement through the project described in the applicant’s application • Current zoning: Industrial

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (the “Department” or “DCEO”) is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) to solicit applications for Business Resiliency program funded by the federal Community Development Block Grant-Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) Funds through the State of Illinois’ Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Office of Community Development. Donor Name: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity State: Illinois County: Cook County (IL), DuPage County (IL), Kane County (IL), Lake County (IL), Madison County (IL), McHenry County (IL), Saint Clair County (IL), Will County (IL) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline:  07/31/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: The objective of this program is to fund construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or acquisition of property for Homeless (as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Shelters dedicated to the provision of stable, safe and adequate housing; with a goal of increasing capacity to pre-COVID levels. Performance Goals and Measures  The Community Development Block Grant-Coronavirus program is federally funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and requires that all projects awarded must tie back to the to the prevention, preparation, and response to coronavirus. All grants must meet the National Objective of Low to Moderate Income for the benefiting business The number of grants will be determined based on the amounts requested. Funding Information Total amount of funding expected to be awarded through this NOFO is has yet to be determined but will be at least $15 million. Awards will range from $500,000 to $2 million. Project Period The period of performance is expected to be January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2026. Eligibility Criteria An entity must be registered in the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) Grantee Portal, at the time of grant application. The portal will verify that the entity: Has a valid FEIN number Has a current SAM.gov registration, SAM.gov registrations must be marked as “public” to allow the GATA Grantee Portal to expedite the review of the federal information; Has a valid UEI number Is not on the Federal Excluded Parties List Is in Good Standing with the Illinois Secretary of State Is not on the Illinois Stop Payment list Is not on the Department of Healthcare and Family Services Provider Sanctions list Eligible Applicants include Be a unit of local government receiving, or in an area receiving direct “Entitlement” Community Development Block Grant funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Have a current Shelter Funding Strategy identifying needs, and plans to meet the needs. Have a strong collaborative relationship with all relevant local entities (service providers, community organizations, etc.) and have letters of support from a minimum of 5 community homelessness support services; Remain compliant with all applicable provisions of State and Federal laws and regulations pertaining to nondiscrimination, sexual harassment and equal employment opportunity including, but not limited to: The Illinois Human Rights Act (775 ILCS 5/1-101 et seq.), For more information, visit DCEO.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is accepting applications for its Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) Grants. Donor Name: Illinois Department of Natural Resources State: Illinois County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 09/13/2024 Size of the Grant: $500,000 to $1 million Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) Program is a state-financed grant program that provides funding assistance to local government agencies for acquisition and/or development of land for public parks and open space. Funding Information Grant awards up to $1,725,000.00 are available for acquisition projects, while development/renovation projects are limited to a $600,000 grant maximum. Eligible Projects Example of Eligible Projects include: Acquisition of land for new park sites or park expansion, water frontage, nature study, and natural resource preservation. Development/Renovation of: Picnic and playground facilities; Outdoor nature interpretive facilities; Sports courts and play fields; Swimming pools, beaches and bathhouses; Campgrounds and fishing piers; winter sports facilities; Park roads and paths, parking, utilities and restrooms; and Architectural/engineering (A/E) services necessary for proper design and construction of approved project components. Eligibility Criteria OSLAD grants are available to units of local government that are authorized by Illinois law to expend public funds for the acquisition and development of land for public outdoor park, recreation, or conservation purposes are eligible to apply for funding assistance. School districts are not eligible. For more information, visit IDNR.

This grant provides financial support for nonprofit organizations and public entities to undertake community projects that improve the quality of life for residents in DeKalb County, Illinois.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit and public organizations in Illinois, particularly in DeKalb County, to enhance music education initiatives for underserved communities.

The Skokie Community Foundation (SCF) seeks to invest in organizations and projects that are poised to make a difference in the lives of Skokie residents and strengthen the community beyond the grant period. Donor Name: Skokie Community Foundation State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/04/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Skokie Community Foundation (SCF) places particular priority on proposals that: Use a Collective Impact model, which is a network of community members, organizations, and institutions who advance equity by learning together, aligning, and integrating their actions to achieve population and systems level change.  Bring about unity in diversity and emphasize the importance of breaking down barriers, building relationships, and working toward a shared vision of unity and mutual respect and understanding in the Skokie community. Grant Period Grants will be made for one year for the period of January 1 through December 31, 2025. Type of Grant Program: Applications may be based upon new initiatives, pilot projects, or continuing improvements to projects that have shown long-term, positive impact. Funding: SCF typically funds grants in the amount of $5,000. Proposals may requestup to $10,000. Areas of Funding: Preference will be given to proposals that directly address how the project will benefit Skokie residents in areas of clearly identified needs. SCF fosters a supportive, engaged and dynamic community in Skokie through meaningful giving, collaboration and community programming. Eligibility Criteria  Each proposal must be submitted by at least two organizations working together to benefit Skokie residents. Each organization must submit a joint written statement (which can be brief) detailing that each organization jointly supports the project, and detailing their responsibilities or how they will support the proposed project. One of the co-applicants must be a 501(c)(3) organization, a school, or a government entity or must have a fiscal sponsor that qualifies as a tax-exempt organization under Sec. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All proposals must address issues, concerns and/or opportunities for Skokie and its residents. Proposals must primarily benefit Skokie residents and the majority of those benefiting must be Skokie residents. Applicants need not be based in Skokie. Evaluation Criteria SCF will evaluate proposals according to the following criteria: Does the proposal address a significant concern, need, or opportunity in Skokie? Can it be scaled? Does the proposal clearly show how the grant will be used to foster collaboration between organizations to make a positive change in Skokie that would not otherwise occur? Does the proposal address the role to be played by each co-applicant, the qualifications of each co-applicant, and the division of responsibilities between each co-applicant? If applicable, does the proposal address the recruitment of participants from Skokie? Is the project budget appropriate to the goals, objectives, and expected outcomes? Is the evaluation plan sufficient to track progress and determine success? How important is the funding to the project? Would the project move forward without it? For more information, visit Skokie Community Foundation.

The Aurora’s Finish Line Grant Program offers gap financing solutions to commercial businesses and property owners seeking to complete permanent property rehabilitation and improvement projects. Donor Name: Invest Aurora State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant | Reimbursement Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/19/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Purpose of the Finish Line Grant Program is to increase the economic viability of the City of Aurora by assisting business and property owners in their completion of commercial rehabilitation projects. The Finish Line Grant Committee will consider each case on its individual merits. Funding Information A project up to a maximum grant amount of $50,000. Geographic Areas Eligible rehabilitation projects must be performed on commercial properties located within the limits of the City of Aurora. Qualified Expenses Qualified Expenses that are eligible for reimbursement under the Finish Line Grant are:  Build out costs for new or expanded retail space resulting in fixed capital improvements that will remain permanent to the property.  Building materials  Internal and external lighting  HVAC, electrical, and plumbing new system installation and upgrades only    Exterior signage  Repair/rehabilitation of building exterior, including tuckpointing Qualifications Eligibility Criteria The property proposed for rehabilitation must be zoned for commercial use and be located within the limits of the City of Aurora. To be eligible for reimbursement of project costs under this grant program, the following requirements and conditions must be met:  Control of the property must be proven.  Good Standing with the City of Aurora must be established.  No existing code violations on the subject property must be proven.  All required permits and certificates must be issued by the COA before funds will be distributed  Project cost must exceed $5,000  Only Qualified Expenses will be reimbursed.  Projects started prior to April 15, 2024 are not eligible  Business must generate retail sales tax (51% of annual revenue must generate sales tax – annual sales tax reporting required)  All work must be permanent to the building.  For more information, visit Invest Aurora Illinois.

The City of Chicago Department of Planning & Development accepts applications for grant funding to support local commercial, mixed-use, and light manufacturing projects. Donor Name: Department of Planning and Development State: Illinois City: Chicago Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/09/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The City of Chicago is committed to strengthening local business corridors and enhancing neighborhood vitality. The Chicago Recovery Plan provides opportunities for the City to invest in catalytic developments that expand upon DPD’s existing investments and support. City staff prioritizes projects in areas of Chicago with a history of disinvestment or limited private investment. Eligible capital projects will be considered for all applicable funding sources, including: Chicago Recovery Plan Community Development (Large Grants). Neighborhood Opportunity Fund (Large Grants). Tax Increment Financing. Funding Information $250,000 is available. Eligibility Criteria  Grant funding can be used for pre-development, construction, or renovation costs for permanent capital improvement projects. Open to community developers, business owners and entrepreneurs, and property owners. Site control is preferred, but not required. Residential-only development is not eligible, but mixed-use projects are eligible. Priority is given to catalytic projects with a strong local impact that are able to leverage local talents, capacities and institutions to strengthen and contribute to the community. Applicants from all areas of Chicago are eligible to apply. Priority projects are located in historically disinvested areas and/or build upon existing efforts and community safety initiatives. Priority is given to projects that demonstrate momentum and are expected to break ground within six months of grant acceptance. For more information, visit City of Chicago DPD.

The CHIditarod Foundation is accepting grant applications to fund local non-profits fighting to end hunger. Donor Name: CHIditarod Foundation State: Illinois County: Selected Counties Type of Grant: Grant Opens 2025 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The CHIditarod is offering two distinct funding opportunities this year:  The CHIditarod Program Development Grant  The CHIditarod Infrastructure Investment Grant Eligibility Criteria Operates programs focusing on: Innovative educational opportunities Building partnerships with other organizations and policy-relevant leaders engaged in local issues Health nutrition or creative work on some aspect of food Innovation to address challenges to food access and availability Is recognized by the IRS as 501(c)(3) organization, or has a written agreement of fiscal sponsorship from a 501(c)(3) organization Operates in Northern Illinois Is in good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State Is registered with the Illinois Attorney General For more information, visit CHIditarod Foundation.

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.

The CFLL Historic Preservation Fund seeks projects that support the physical improvement of structures and/or to promote the issue of historic preservation in Springfield, IL. Donor Name: Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln State: Illinois City: Springfield Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/12/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Grant awards may be made to organizations for the rehabilitation, renovation, and upkeep of historic properties or for properties with certain historic, economic development, or community value. Funding Information One or more grant up to $6,000 may be awarded. Geographic Limitations Historic preservation projects in Springfield, IL. Who can apply? Organizations submitting a funding request to any grant program must be a: 501(c)(3) charitable organization; OR faith-based organization (proposals must benefit all, regardless of religion, and be for a service provided which is not religious in nature), OR public or private school (proposals must be for projects that exceed the school’s budget funding); OR some government entities or municipalities may be eligible. For more information, visit CFLL.

The Access to Recreation Program assists nonprofit organizations with accessible recreation projects, which include adaptive sports; games; programs; and capital projects for persons with disabilities and special needs such as sensory disabilities; physical disabilities and mobility impairments; cognitive and developmental disabilities; and/or emotional and psychological disorders. Donor Name: Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln State: Illinois County: Sangamon County (IL) Type of Grant: Endowment | Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/12/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: This program supports accessible recreation that provides people with disabilities the opportunity to participate in indoor or outdoor recreation activities without barriers. We seek requests that support programs that are specifically designed for and/or about people with disabilities but also available to the general public. Funding Information Multiple grant awards totaling $6,000 may be available, and requests should not exceed $3,000. Geographic Limitations Funds must be used for programs primarily assisting residents of Sangamon County, IL. Who can apply? Applications are generally accepted from: registered 501(c)(3) charitable organizations faith-based organizations (proposals must benefit all, regardless of religion, and be for service provided which is not religious in nature) public or private schools (proposals must be for projects that exceed the school’s budget funding) units of government or municipalities. For more information, visit CFLL.