Illinois Natural Resources Grants

The Forecast Public Art’s Midwest Memory Grant, ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, is open to non-profit organizations in rural Midwest communities, aiming to elevate and preserve the stories of BIPOC communities through monuments, with a focus on addressing systemic inequities and advancing racial justice.

This grant provides funding to Great Lakes states and tribes for projects that prevent and control aquatic invasive species, benefiting the Great Lakes ecosystem.

Applications are now being accepted for the Illinois Natural Areas Stewardship Grant Program. Donor Name: Illinois Department of Natural Resources State: Illinois County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/14/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Illinois Natural Areas Stewardship Grant Program provides grants to Conservation Land Trusts to Increase stewardship on dedicated Illinois Nature Preserves and registered Land and Water Reserves, and Increase stewardship capacity within Conservation Land Trusts. Funding for this grant program is derived from the Illinois Natural Areas Acquisition Fund (NAAF) and must be used by the Department of Natural Resources for the acquisition, protection, and stewardship of natural areas, including habitats for endangered and threatened species (Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Act, 525 ILCS 35/14). The Illinois Natural Areas Stewardship Grant Program was established to make grants to conservation land trusts for the purpose of promoting stewardship actions on eligible lands. The goal of the grant program is to increase the delivery of much needed stewardship activities to natural areas protected within the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission (INPC) system. Stewardship needs on natural areas throughout the state have continued to outpace the ability to deliver these services by individuals, volunteers, organizations, and government agencies. This grant program is designed to fund projects that immediately address this deficiency and begin to expand on the stewardship capacity of conservation land trusts through grants that will expand their staff and equipment for these activities. Funding Information Grant Amount: Up to $100,000. What types of projects are eligible for grants? All projects must be on eligible lands. This includes Illinois Nature Preserves, dedicated buffers, and Land and Water Reserves. Project sites must have a current and approved management schedule and must be either owned by the applicant or there must be an executed agreement between the Conservation Land Trust and the property owner. Eligible expenses include: Stewardship Activities Contractual Services Purchase or Rental of Necessary Equipment Staff Time (excluding fringe/benefits) Indirect Costs. Eligible Applicants  Conservation Land Trusts exempt from taxation under Section 501 (c) (3) of the federal Internal Revenue Code and include in its purposes the restoration and stewardship of land for conservation purposes. For more information, visit DNR.

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.

The City Council has approved $100,000 of these funds to be awarded in grants for opioid remediation programs and services. Donor Name: City of Naperville State: Illinois City: Naperville Type of Grant: Grant | Reimbursement Deadline: 05/31/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Projects must qualify as an approved abatement program under settlement restrictions and must impact Naperville residents. Programs and services must qualify as an Approved Abatement Program and impact Naperville residents. Approved Abatement Programs include the following: Expanding training and increasing distribution of Naloxone or other FDA-approved drug to reverse opioid overdoses Distributing medication-assisted treatment to individuals who are uninsured or underinsured Providing or expanding treatment and recovery support services such as residential and inpatient treatment, intensive outpatient treatment, outpatient therapy or counseling, recovery housing, and harm reduction Providing or expanding screening, intervention and treatment services for pregnant and postpartum women and recovery for neonatal abstinence syndrome Providing or expanding warm hand-off programs and recovery services, including comprehensive wrap-around services for individuals in recovery Providing or expanding evidence-based education to school-based and youth-focused programs that discourage and prevent misuse of opioids Providing or expanding syringe service programs and expanding community drug disposal programs Media campaigns and public education to prevent misuse of opioids. Grants are reimbursement-based. Grantees must accrue costs prior to requesting reimbursement from the City of Naperville. Eligibility Criteria  Organizations applying are not required to be a non-profit 501(c)(3) or recognized by the State of Illinois as a non-profit organization. School districts, medical providers, coalitions and faith communities are welcome to apply, as are non-profit organizations and providers. Entities that have already received 2024 City of Naperville grant funding are eligible to apply for additional funding. For more information, visit City of Naperville.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to partner institutions affiliated with the Great Rivers Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit to research and manage the invasive Black Carp species in the upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers.

This grant provides funding to Great Lakes states to implement their plans for managing and preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species, benefiting both the states and the Great Lakes ecosystem.

The City of Evanston’s “Sustain Evanston” Incentive Program is a funding tool to assist small business owners to implement sustainability measures that align with the goals of the City’s Climate Action & Resilience Plan while reducing their operating costs and better serving their customers. Donor Name: City of Evanston State: Illinois City: Evanston Type of Grant: Grant Deadline:  06/30/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The City provides a rebate of the total cost of qualifying interior or exterior improvements. The Economic Development Division and Sustainability & Resilience Division manage the program. Funding Information Eligible applicants will receive assistance from $1,000 to $25,000. Eligible Expenses Capital Projects such as: Heat Pumps EV Charging Infrastructure Solar PV Waste Collection Enclosures Balers/Compactors Green Infrastructure Green Roofs Insulation Windows Equipment such as: Containers Reusable containers Lighting/Fixtures Appliances (dishwasher, refrigerator, induction stove) Services such as: Composting Services Recycling Services Energy/Water Benchmarking Services Consulting Education Materials such as: Signage Labels Eligibility Criteria Eligible participants of the program include: Commercial property owners Tenants of commercial buildings Business Districts Coalition of businesses Tenants must have:  A written commitment to operating within the City of Evanston: A current lease with a minimum of five (5) years remaining from the date of application or; Evidence that the business has operated in Evanston for over five (5) years or; A combination of historical operation and remaining lease time totaling at least five (5) years Written approval from the property owner to participate in the Program Proper business license and/or registration with the City No outstanding debt with the City Business Districts or Coalitions must have:  List of businesses that the project would benefit; Participating business owners’ signed letter of support or signature Proper business license and/or registration with the City No outstanding debt with the City Commercial Property Owners must have:  Proof of ownership No outstanding debt with the City For more information, visit  City of Evanston.

This program provides financial assistance to rural fire departments in Illinois to enhance their firefighting capabilities through the purchase of essential equipment and materials.

This grant provides funding for programs and projects that address environmental and nature-related issues in McLean, DeWitt, Livingston, and Logan Counties in Illinois.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofits and educational institutions in East Central Illinois that implement nature-based projects to combat climate change and enhance biodiversity through ecological practices like tree planting and prairie restoration.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and local government entities in Illinois for acquiring land or conservation easements to protect and enhance natural habitats and wildlife areas.

This program provides financial support to licensed family childcare providers in specific Indiana and Illinois counties to help them overcome barriers to achieving high-quality childcare designations.

This program provides financial assistance to local governments in Illinois for developing and improving public access areas for boats and canoes on state waterways.

This funding initiative provides financial support to nonprofit organizations, local and state governments, tribal entities, and educational institutions to promote conservation practices and technical assistance for farmers and ranchers on private working lands.

This program provides financial assistance to property owners in DuPage County for projects that improve water quality and reduce flooding in local waterways.

This funding opportunity supports projects that restore and enhance forests, wetlands, and aquatic habitats in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley, benefiting wildlife and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

This funding opportunity provides financial assistance to various organizations and groups in Illinois for projects aimed at reducing water pollution from nonpoint sources, such as agricultural runoff and urban stormwater.

This grant provides funding for conservation projects that restore and enhance habitats for monarch butterflies and other native pollinators, targeting nonprofit organizations, government entities, tribal groups, and educational institutions.

This program provides financial assistance to local governments in Illinois for the construction and rehabilitation of public recreational facilities, ensuring long-term benefits for community parks and recreation infrastructure.