Illinois International Development Grants

This grant provides funding to organizations working on sustainable development initiatives that alleviate poverty in specific areas, including international locations, the Greater Metropolitan St. Louis region, and West Central Illinois.

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.

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.

A grant program for certified local tourism and convention bureaus to develop, coordinate and promote international tourism marketing efforts. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (the “Department” or “DCEO”) is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) to provide grants to certified convention and visitors bureaus outside the City of Chicago to assist with international marketing efforts in markets identified by the Office of Tourism for its FY 25 marketing plan. For FY 25, those markets include Mexico, Canada, UK/Ireland, German-speaking countries of Germany, Austria and Switzerland, France, India, Italy, Australia, and New Zealand.

The International Tourism Grant Program, issued by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), aims to support certified convention and visitor bureaus (CVBs) outside the City of Chicago in their international marketing efforts. The program targets markets such as Mexico, Canada, the UK/Ireland, German-speaking countries, France, India, Italy, Australia, and New Zealand. Grants will fund initiatives to promote Illinois as a travel destination, focusing on increasing international visitors through targeted marketing activities. Priority will be given to regions with significant international tourism products and those aligning with state marketing goals. Grants range from $10,000 to $250,000, with a total program funding of $1,000,000. Applications are open from August 1, 2024, to September 3, 2024, with awards expected to start on November 1, 2024. The grant period will last until June 30, 2025.

Grant Name: Technology Industry Grant Donor: City of Peoria, Illinois Type: Grant Deadline: Ongoing Grant Size: $10,000 - $25,000 Description: The Technology Industry Grant offers funding to technology-related businesses looking to establish or expand within the city of Peoria. Eligible industries include Agricultural Technology (AgTech), Biological Medical Technology (BioTech), Medical Technology (MedTech), and other technological advancements. Applicants should demonstrate established seed funding, a proof of function prototype, and a plan for further product development. The program aims to attract technology businesses, stimulate public and private investment, introduce new technology to the area, and support commercial space activity in business districts. Priority locations for funding include the Medical District, Central Business District, and West Main Street within the city boundaries. Eligible uses of the grant include lease or mortgage assistance, operational expense support, and other business costs related to the newly opened location. Small businesses with 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees are eligible to apply if they meet all criteria outlined by the City of Peoria. For more information and application details, visit City of Peoria website.