Illinois Workforce Development Grants

This funding opportunity supports academic enrichment and youth development programs for students in high-poverty, low-performing schools during non-school hours, while also providing family literacy and educational support.

The Energy Transition Navigators Program will provide outreach and recruitment for the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) workforce and contractor programs. The Department seeks to contract with the community-based provider(s) (“Navigator Teams”) to connect people to the CEJA workforce and contractor programs. Navigator Teams will provide outreach and recruitment services to eligible populations to ensure they are aware of and engaged in the statewide and local workforce and contractor development programs.

This program provides funding to organizations in Illinois to develop and expand apprenticeship opportunities, particularly for underrepresented populations, by fostering collaboration among employers, educational institutions, and community organizations.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations in Illinois to enhance clinician training and health system capacity for effectively addressing opioid and stimulant use disorders through evidence-based practices and systemic improvements.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to educational institutions and training organizations in Normal, Illinois, to develop and enhance career and technical education programs focused on electric vehicle technology and workforce development.

The Illinois Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program will identify a network of at least 13 Illinois Clean Jobs Program delivery hub sites (“Workforce Hubs”) throughout the State to recruit and provide clean energy and related workforce training to jobseekers. Workforce Hubs will engage with potential employers, community-based organizations, educational institutions, and community-based and labor-based training providers to ensure program-eligible individuals across the State have dedicated and sustained support to enter and build clean energy careers.

The Job Training and Economic Development - Teachers Apprenticeship Program aims to provide targeted job training and development opportunities through a state-funded grant. Eligible entities are encouraged to apply for funding to establish or enhance apprenticeship programs for teachers. This opportunity supports efforts to develop the educational workforce and improve economic opportunities within the community. The program is anticipated to award 4 grants, with a total funding amount of $2,000,000 available. Grants will be awarded ranging from $50,000 to $500,000. Applications are accepted from the announcement date until the specified closing date. Technical assistance sessions are available for prospective applicants. These are not mandatory but are offered to provide additional support. The session is scheduled for 03/28/2024 at 1:00 PM, and registration can be completed online.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local workforce areas in Illinois to train staff for a new case management system aimed at improving workforce services and policy implementation.

This program provides financial support to local governments in Illinois for community development and resilience projects in areas impacted by the closure or reduced operation of fossil fuel power plants, coal mines, or nuclear facilities.

This program provides funding to organizations in Illinois to offer job training and support services for unemployed, underemployed, and underrepresented individuals, helping them gain skills for stable employment in high-demand industries.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that train a diverse workforce for Illinois' film and television industry, focusing on underrepresented and underserved populations.

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

The Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (RACVB) is offering Restaurant Relief Grants to provide crucial support to restaurants within Rockford and Winnebago County, Illinois. As the official destination marketing and management organization for the region, the RACVB's mission is to promote Rockford as an attractive travel destination and enhance its public image. By providing these grants, the RACVB aligns with its broader mission by ensuring the vitality of local businesses, which are integral to the region's appeal and economic health, directly contributing to a dynamic place to live and work. The primary target beneficiaries of this program are restaurants in Rockford and Winnebago County that experienced increased state unemployment insurance charges due to compliance with indoor dining closure mandates in Q1 of 2021. The impact goal is to mitigate the financial strain on these businesses, helping them to remain operational and recover from the economic challenges presented by the mandates. The grants aim to support the continued existence of these restaurants, which are vital components of the local economy and community fabric. The grant program prioritizes restaurants that can certify their principal place of business is within Winnebago County, Illinois; complied with the indoor dining closure mandates in Q1 2021; laid off staff resulting in increased state unemployment insurance charges; incurred or will incur a higher rate of state unemployment benefit charges in 2022, 2023, and 2024 due to those Q1 2021 charges; and remain operational today. The focus is specifically on businesses that were directly affected by state mandates and are now facing ongoing financial repercussions in the form of higher unemployment benefit charges. Expected outcomes include the sustained operation of a greater number of local restaurants that were impacted by the 2021 dining closures. Measurable results could include the number of restaurants that receive grants, the total amount of funding disbursed, and potentially, the continued employment levels within these businesses over the grant duration. The maximum award a restaurant may receive is $100,000, as set by the State of Illinois, with the total grant size ranging from $10,000 to $100,000. The RACVB's strategic priorities, through this program, likely include economic recovery and resilience for the local hospitality sector, ensuring that Rockford and Winnebago County remain attractive destinations for both residents and visitors. The theory of change suggests that by providing direct financial relief to struggling restaurants, the grants will alleviate a significant financial burden, allowing these businesses to stabilize, retain staff, and contribute to the overall economic well-being and image of the region. This, in turn, supports the RACVB's overarching goal of promoting and enhancing the Rockford region.

The Equitable Energy Future Grant Program, initiated by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, aims to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in historically disadvantaged communities. With an estimated total program funding of $25.5 million, the program offers grants ranging from $250,000 to $1 million. These grants are designed to support equity investment eligible communities, provide on-the-job training, and facilitate the development of projects that benefit low-income households and community-based businesses. The program encourages projects that generate or save energy, with a significant focus on involving equity eligible contractors and workforce from CEJA or FEJA programs. Applicants are encouraged to leverage other funding sources to enhance cost-effectiveness and project impact.

The African American Legacy (AAL) is an initiative of The Chicago Community Trust, dedicated to improving the quality of life for Black people throughout metropolitan Chicago. Led by Black civic and community leaders, AAL functions as a philanthropic and educational initiative, aligning with the Trust's broader mission of fostering community well-being. Its strategic approach is grounded in the philosophies of collective giving, community engagement, and grant-making, serving as a convener and catalyst to drive significant impact in Black communities. AAL's primary beneficiaries are Black-led and Black-serving community organizations that are responsive and rooted in their communities. The overarching impact goal is to empower and strengthen Black communities by addressing systemic challenges and promoting equitable opportunities. This is achieved by supporting organizations that educate and engage communities, and provide neighborhood-based services and solutions to community problems, ultimately contributing to a more equitable and thriving metropolitan Chicago. The program focuses on five key areas: Community and Civic Engagement, Mental Health, Wealth Creation, Arts and Sciences Education, and Environmental Justice. In Community and Civic Engagement, AAL supports work in leadership development, voting rights/access activism, and community organizing to dismantle anti-Black racism. For Mental Health, it backs organizations preparing providers or community members to deliver or advocate for mental health services, especially trauma-informed care, in response to the disproportionate stress burden on Black communities. Wealth Creation initiatives aim to build economic empowerment through financial literacy, entrepreneurship, workforce re-entry, and trade skills. Arts and Sciences Education supports academic enrichment in STEAM for Black children and young adults, fostering creativity. Finally, Environmental Justice focuses on protecting and advocating for the built/natural environment and ensuring communities of color are not disproportionately impacted by environmental hazards. AAL's theory of change posits that by supporting Black-led and Black-serving organizations working in these critical focus areas, it can drive measurable improvements in community well-being and dismantle anti-Black racism. Expected outcomes include increased civic participation, improved access to mental health services, enhanced economic stability, greater educational attainment in STEAM fields, and more equitable environmental conditions. Grants typically range from $10,000 to $20,000 for one year, with eligible organizations having annual operating budgets between $50,000 and $2,000,000. Eligibility also requires 501(c)(3) status, fiscal sponsorship, or governmental unit status.

This grant provides funding to organizations that improve healthcare access for underserved and uninsured residents in northern Lake County, Illinois.

This funding opportunity supports community-based organizations and public entities in Illinois to develop and plan community solar projects that benefit low-income households and historically disadvantaged communities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that assist migrant and seasonal farmworkers with employment services, training, and housing solutions.

This funding opportunity supports organizations in Illinois to create and manage apprenticeship programs in the electric industry, focusing on training and career pathways for diverse and economically disadvantaged populations.

The Harry S. Black & Allon Fuller Fund is dedicated to supporting quality health care and human services programming for underserved populations. This grant program aligns directly with the foundation's mission to address critical needs in communities, specifically focusing on improving access to essential services for those who face significant barriers. The fund's strategic priorities are rooted in the belief that robust health care and human services are fundamental to individual well-being and community strength. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant program are underserved populations within the city limits of New York City and Chicago. This includes low-income communities requiring health care access, health education, and health policy advocacy, as well as physically disabled individuals who need access programs, disability policy advocacy, workforce development, and initiatives to enhance their quality of life. The impact goals are to foster healthier, more equitable communities by empowering individuals through improved access to vital resources and support. The grantmaking focus areas clearly define the fund's priorities. In health care, the fund supports access, education, and policy analysis and advocacy, with a specific emphasis on programs serving low-income communities. For physical disabilities, the fund prioritizes access programs, disability policy analysis and advocacy, workforce development, and programs that improve the quality of life for disabled individuals. These areas reflect a comprehensive approach to addressing systemic inequities and promoting inclusive community development. While specific expected outcomes and measurable results are not explicitly detailed in the provided information, it can be inferred that the fund seeks to achieve tangible improvements in the health and well-being of the target populations, increased access to services for the physically disabled, and greater equity through policy advocacy and workforce development. The foundation's theory of change appears to be that by strategically investing in organizations that provide direct services and advocate for systemic change, they can create a lasting positive impact on the lives of underserved individuals in their designated geographic areas.