Illinois Workforce Development Grants

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 funding opportunity provides financial support for community organizations to educate and assist underserved communities in Illinois with accessing clean energy programs and initiatives.

This program provides funding to various organizations to expand high-speed internet access in underserved areas of Illinois, focusing on improving connectivity for schools, libraries, and health facilities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to eligible contractors for developing renewable energy and energy efficiency projects that benefit low-income communities and promote workforce training in Illinois.

Topfer Family Foundation Grant Program focuses on supporting nonprofit organizations within the program areas of Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment, Youth Enrichment, Children’s Health, Aging In Place, and Job Training & Support. Eligible applicants must be exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code. The foundation primarily invests in communities where the family resides, including the greater Austin, Texas and greater Chicago, Illinois metropolitan areas. Additionally, they have started providing grants to organizations in Denver, CO and Broward County, FL. For more information and to apply for a grant, visit Topfer Family Foundation's website.

This grant provides funding to Illinois courts and related offices to improve accessibility for individuals with disabilities, ensuring they can fully participate in court activities and receive necessary accommodations.

This program provides funding to local workforce organizations in Illinois to enhance job quality and training in key industries like healthcare and manufacturing, ultimately benefiting workers and employers alike.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has launched the Community Solar Energy Sovereignty Grant Program, aimed at supporting the pre-development and development of community solar projects. With an allocation of $8.5 million, the program offers grants ranging from $50,000 to $1,000,000 to facilitate community ownership and energy sovereignty in Illinois, particularly in equity investment eligible communities. These include areas affected by economic exclusion and pollution, as identified in the Restore Reinvest Renew (R3) Areas and Environmental Justice Communities. The program emphasizes community benefits, local wealth building, and addresses capital barriers in disadvantaged populations. Activities eligible for funding include early stage planning, team organization, site identification, financing, and customer outreach, with a focus on creating sustainable community solar cooperatives.

This program provides funding to Illinois-based nonprofits, educational institutions, and government entities to enhance the specialty crop industry, focusing on food safety, research, and support for underserved farmers.

The City of Champaign is announcing the availability of funding for the 2024-2025 program year through the Community Matters youth program. Donor Name: City of Champaign State: Illinois City: Champaign Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/10/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: Community Matters, founded in 2007, is a programmatic initiative that addresses safety, academic support, technology, recreation, career exploration and employment among City of Champaign youth. Through this funding opportunity, the City of Champaign seeks to fund public or private non-profit agencies providing programs that meet the needs of students and youth from Pre-K through 18 years of age and residing within the City of Champaign. Proposals should target youth from low-income families with the goal of having a lasting impact on the community. Prioritization shall be given to programs serving youth from the target areas (Beardsley Park, Bristol Park, Garden Hills, and Douglass Park). However, low-income youth from any Champaign neighborhood may participate as space and funding allows. Activities that can be carried out with CDBG funds include but are not limited to the rehabilitation of residential and non-residential structures, building demolition, construction/rehabilitation of public facilities, and public services. Activities pertaining to the general conduct of government, political activities, and new housing construction are generally ineligible. Proposing agencies should note that public service funds are extremely limited and subject to a 15% cap of the City of Champaign’s grant award. Funding Information The available public service funding amount is set by HUD through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and is limited to 15% of the City of Champaign’s CDBG annual allocation. The 2024-2025 allocation amount has not yet been announced. However, the public service allocation for the 2023-2024 program year was approximately $133,000. Funding Period July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. For more information, visit City of Champaign.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in Scott County, Iowa, and Rock Island County, Illinois, to implement projects that enhance youth education, promote financial stability, and improve community health.

This initiative provides funding and support to nonprofit organizations, local governments, and Tribal governments in coal-impacted communities to develop and scale innovative economic projects that create job opportunities and foster local economic transformation.

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.

"TANF Job Placement with Retention Providers primarily target current TANF clients. While clients are searching for unsubsidized employment, the Provider is responsible for assuring that they are engaged in work and training activities and hours that are consistent with Federal guidelines. Additionally, the Provider is responsible for developing, constructing and administering programs in a manner that will result in a client compliance level of at least 75%. When determining whether or not a Provider has met the 75% compliance standards, consideration will be given to two factors: 1) clients who meet compliance according to Attendance and Activity Reports submitted by the Provider; and 2) by documentation of immediate and appropriate action initiated by the Provider for clients who fail to comply with assigned activities and hours. Providers earn administrative payments for unsubsidized placements. In order for a placement to qualify the Provider for administrative payment, the client must earn at least minimum wage, work at least 30 hours per week, or less than 30 hours per week with wages of $10.00 per hour or more, resulting in the cancellation of the TANF case due to income, and meet the retention period of 30, 60, 90, 120 days. (See Attachment Cover Sheet Addendum for specific qualifications). TANF Job Placement with Retention programs are operated by the Department for persons receiving TANF. Customers participate in a variety of activities that are countable in the federal participation rate while searching for unsubsidized employment. Activities are highly structured, monitored and documented for meeting accountability requirements. Those activities include: • Work Experience • Community Service • Unsubsidized Employment • Subsidized Employment • Vocational Education Training • Job Search and Job Readiness Activities • Job Skills Training and • Education Directly Related to Employment. The client will continue to participate in these activities until unsubsidized employment is obtained, or until it is determined that participation is no longer an appropriate activity for the client. The Provider is expected to serve and engage customers in countable TANF activities each month during the contract period.

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.

This funding opportunity supports Illinois-based organizations in developing and delivering training for healthcare providers on effective pediatric asthma management using a telementoring model.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations and individuals in Rockford to develop programs that address economic development, violence prevention, and community reinvestment in areas disproportionately affected by past cannabis laws.

This funding opportunity is designed for Illinois-based organizations to improve asthma care and education statewide, focusing on reducing health disparities and enhancing community partnerships.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for Illinois-based organizations to develop solar energy workforce training programs aimed at underserved communities and individuals facing employment barriers, ensuring equitable access to clean energy job opportunities.

This funding opportunity supports organizations in Chicago that provide workforce development programs for young people aged 14 to 24, particularly those facing barriers to employment and education, to help them gain skills and secure jobs in high-demand fields.