Illinois Law Justice and Legal Services Grants

This funding opportunity is designed to assist state and local organizations in Illinois in improving their juvenile justice systems through training, technical support, and programs that address prevention, intervention, and compliance with federal juvenile justice requirements.

This program provides financial assistance to small commercial and mixed-use property owners and tenants in Aurora, Illinois, for essential property improvements and renovations.

This program provides $40 million in funding to support environmental and public health initiatives in underserved communities across the Great Lakes region, prioritizing tribal governments, small nonprofits, and local organizations addressing environmental challenges.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that assist socially and economically disadvantaged individuals and very small businesses in Northern Illinois, helping them access capital and improve their financial readiness through legal, accounting, and advisory services.

This grant provides funding to organizations that empower communities to advocate for social justice and address issues like housing, immigration, criminal justice reform, and environmental justice.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Illinois police agencies for the purchase or lease of in-car and body-worn cameras, along with related data storage and training, to improve law enforcement technology and public safety.

This grant offers financial support to Illinois police agencies from municipalities, counties, park districts, public universities, and all units of local government. The funding is intended for the reimbursement of expenses related to the purchase of in-car video cameras for law enforcement vehicles and officer-worn body cameras. It also covers data storage costs associated with the use of these cameras and training for law enforcement officers on how to operate the cameras. The grant emphasizes the importance of complying with all statutory obligations and training mandates to ensure eligibility for the reimbursement, which includes a specific cost limit per item and requires documentation like paid invoices or receipts for each reimbursable item.

Grants are available for local law enforcement agencies to cover initial capital expenditures and other costs related to the expansion and support of the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN) and other ballistic technology equipment. This funding opportunity aims to assist agencies that have not yet purchased NIBIN equipment, or those needing expansion or support items. Grantees can request advance working capital to initiate or enhance their NIBIN program and may also seek reimbursement for additional funds to be used over the next two years.

Title II Juvenile Justice Council grants are specifically awarded to local juvenile justice councils to implement programs, policies and practices that improve the effectiveness of local juvenile justice systems, reduce unnecessary juvenile justice system involvement and/or analyze and reduce Racial and Ethnic Disparities (RED) in each council’s local system. Because this model of local governance, collaboration and data-driven decision-making has proven effective, the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission is allocating funding to support local juvenile justice councils and the development of data-driven, collaborative local juvenile justice plans which guide future system improvement efforts. The Illinois Juvenile Court Act provides that each county or group of counties may establish a local juvenile justice council [705 ILCS 405/6-12]. The purpose of this council, according to the Act, is “to provide a forum for the development of a community based interagency assessment of the local juvenile justice system, to develop a county juvenile justice plan for the prevention of juvenile delinquency, and to make recommendations to the county board, or county boards, for more effectively utilizing existing community resources in dealing with juveniles who are found to be involved in crime, or who are truant or have been suspended or expelled from school.” Through juvenile justice councils, the Act prescribes a response to juveniles in conflict with the law that is comprehensive, driven by data and analysis, and collaborative across all systems that touch these youth. As embodied in the Juvenile Court Act, Juvenile Justice Councils provide a structure to ensure that local jurisdictions respond to youth in conflict with the law in a manner which is data-driven, strategic, and focused on serving youth, families and communities in the most effective ways possible. Unfortunately, very few jurisdictions in Illinois have developed councils that operate in the manner envisioned in the Act. In some communities, youth become involved in the juvenile justice system unnecessarily because alternatives do not exist, or are not embedded within the system decision-making process. Because the needs and resources are different in each community in Illinois, a one-size-fits-all approach is not likely to be very effective. Local councils are in the best position to craft solutions that meet the local community’s needs and take into account local resources. Empowering and supporting local juvenile justice councils can also stem the tide of racial and ethnic disparity in the juvenile justice system at the front door and help ensure that no youth enters the juvenile justice system unnecessarily. Such local ownership is the best way to ensure more effective long-term programming and sustained systemic change. This, in turn, will reduce the costs associated with incarcerating youth in correctional facilities, reduce rates of recidivism, reduce the number of crime victims, and ultimately create safer communities in Illinois. Juvenile Justice Youth Serving Programs: The federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) provides funding directly to states through its Title II Formula Grants Program (Title II) to support state and local delinquency prevention, intervention efforts and juvenile justice system improvements. These funds are used to help states implement comprehensive state juvenile justice plans based on detailed studies of needs in their jurisdictions. State Advisory Groups, comprised of members appointed by the governor, set priorities for funded activities. The State Advisory Group for Illinois, the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission (IJJC), administers the Title II funds. These funds support a broad range of juvenile justice activities at the state and local level that are designed to improve the juvenile justice system through the development of more effective education, training, research, prevention, diversion, treatment, and rehabilitation programs in the area of juvenile delinquency. These programs or projects can be designed to be developed, implemented and evaluated directly or through grants and contracts with public and private agencies. Title II also funds state and local activities designed to ensure and maintain the state's compliance with the Core Requirements of the JJDPA. • Deinstitutionalization of Status Offenders (DSO) • Adult Jail and Lock-Up Removal (Jail Removal) • "Sight and Sound" Separation • Address Racial and Ethnic Disparities (RED); In some communities, youth become involved in the juvenile justice system unnecessarily because alternatives do not exist or are not embedded within the system decision-making process. Because the needs and resources are different in each community in Illinois, a one-size-fits-all approach is not likely to be very effective. Local juvenile justice systems and community-based providers are in prime position to craft solutions and develop youth serving programs that meet the local community's needs and take into account local resources. Empowering and supporting local youth programming can also stem the tide of racial and ethnic disparity in the juvenile justice system at the front door and help ensure that no youth enters the juvenile justice system unnecessarily. Investing in local communities will reduce the costs associated with incarcerating youth in correctional facilities, reduce rates of recidivism, reduce the number of crime victims, and ultimately create safer communities in Illinois.

This initiative provides financial support and mentorship to minority-owned small businesses in specific West Side neighborhoods of Chicago, helping them grow and contribute to their communities.

The Lake County Community Foundation Fall Grant focuses on two key priority areas: Leadership Development and Animal Welfare. The Foundation's mission is aligned with fostering a stronger nonprofit sector through leadership development opportunities that benefit Lake County's broader nonprofit community, rather than individual organizations. For animal welfare, the Foundation, through the Lake County Humane Society Fund, seeks to cultivate innovative approaches and address unmet needs for animals in Lake County. This grant embodies the Foundation's commitment to strategic investments that strengthen the community. Within Leadership Development, the Foundation prioritizes projects that build a pipeline of competent, emerging leaders for the county's nonprofit sector. A crucial aspect is increasing access to quality programming for leaders of color and other underrepresented groups, ensuring a diverse and inclusive leadership base. The ultimate goal is to equip leaders to better serve their nonprofit organizations, clients, and communities, thereby amplifying their collective impact across Lake County. This approach reflects the Foundation's theory of change, which posits that investing in leadership capacity will lead to more effective and sustainable social impact. For Animal Welfare, the grant targets organizations dedicated to the needs of animals in Lake County. The focus is on innovative approaches to support animal welfare and addressing needs where the applicant is the sole service provider. This area aligns with the Foundation's broader aim of addressing critical community needs and fostering a compassionate environment for all residents, including animals. The expected outcome is improved animal welfare through targeted interventions and support for organizations making a significant difference in this area. The Foundation's strategic pillars of Economic Justice, Community Ownership, and Rapid Community Response guide the evaluation criteria for all applications. Successful proposals will demonstrate alignment with these pillars and respond to high-priority needs identified by current Lake County data. The Foundation also emphasizes diversity and equity within applicant organizations, seeking staff, leadership, and boards that reflect the communities they serve. Furthermore, strong, documented partnerships, the potential to leverage other resources, and a high probability of affecting significant change over the next three years are key considerations, along with cost-effective service delivery and a proven track record of achieving outcomes. These criteria underscore the Foundation's commitment to impactful, sustainable change.

Illinois Humanities' Multiplier Grants program supports project-based partnerships that foster broader community engagement, place-based community building, and coalition or network development within Illinois. This initiative aligns with the foundation's mission to strengthen the humanities throughout the state by championing collaboration and making valuable connections. The program emphasizes that buy-in from all partners is crucial before proposal submission, underscoring a strategic priority for collaborative efforts that amplify the impact of humanities work. The grants target nonprofit organizations, including those with a fiscal sponsor, that are based in Illinois and have projects rooted in the humanities. Priority is given to organizations with an annual budget of $1 million or less, ensuring support for smaller entities that may have limited access to funding. The primary beneficiaries are under-funded and under-served communities, as well as those whose histories and stories are often overlooked or forgotten. The program aims to empower these communities through humanities initiatives, fostering a more inclusive and representative understanding of Illinois's diverse heritage. The program's priorities and focuses include projects that impact under-funded, under-served communities and initiatives that tell stories of forgotten or uncovered history and themes. These preferences reflect Illinois Humanities' strategic priorities to address historical inequities and promote public access to humanities scholarship and programming. The foundation's theory of change likely centers on the belief that by supporting collaborative, community-driven humanities projects, they can foster stronger community bonds, enhance cultural understanding, and create a more equitable and engaged citizenry across Illinois. Expected outcomes include increased collaboration among nonprofits and humanities groups, greater community engagement with humanities topics, and the successful telling of diverse historical narratives. Measurable results could include the number of partnerships formed, the reach of the projects within targeted communities, and the creation of new humanities content or programs. The grants, ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 (up to $10,000), provide vital financial support for these endeavors, enabling organizations to implement impactful projects that align with the foundation's vision for a vibrant and accessible humanities landscape in Illinois.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations in Illinois working to improve broadband access, digital literacy, and inclusion for underserved communities, helping bridge the digital divide and promote economic development.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to grassroots organizations in the Chicago area that are actively engaged in urgent social justice efforts and need resources to respond quickly to community challenges.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local law enforcement agencies in Illinois for acquiring and improving equipment related to ballistic testing and analysis to enhance their crime-solving capabilities.

Program Summary The PATH program is designed to reduce and/or eliminate homelessness for individuals who may be experiencing (SMI) serious mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders. Our goal is to ensure that individuals are connected to mainstream MH services and eventually transitioned into stable housing improve their health, and live a self-directed, purposeful life. Funding Priorities or Focus Areas • IDHS is working to counteract systemic racism and inequity, and to prioritize and maximize diversity throughout its service provision process. This work involves addressing existing institutionalized inequities, aiming to create transformation, and operationalizing equity and racial justice. It also focuses on the creation of a culture of inclusivity for all regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or ability. Project Description The Grantee will operate the Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) formula grant providing flexible, community-based services throughout the State of Illinois to address the needs of adults ages 18-65+ and families, with serious mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders, who are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless. PATH links the population of individuals with serious mental illnesses (SMI)/co-occurring substance use disorders (COD), who experience persistent and pervasive health disparities, to mainstream and other supportive services. Collectively the PATH resources help individuals experiencing or at risk for homelessness with SMI/COD secure safe and stable housing, improve their health, and live a self-directed, purposeful life.

This funding program provides financial support to community-based organizations that empower youth aged 12 to 20 through established, youth-led urban greening initiatives focused on social and environmental justice in select states.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations focused on developing a skilled workforce in Illinois' clean energy sector, particularly for underserved communities.

This grant provides funding to Illinois nonprofit organizations to create legal information centers and projects that help residents understand and navigate the legal system, particularly in areas like family law, housing, and immigration.

Arts Midwest is offering Cultural Sustainability: Equity-Based Operating Grants of up to $67,000 to small arts and culture organizations rooted in communities of color, providing general operating support for those with annual expenses up to $500,000 in selected states.