Illinois Grants

This grant provides funding to U.S.-based non-profit organizations to support projects that promote Japanese arts and culture, particularly in areas with limited access to such events.

This program provides financial assistance to private marinas, boatyards, and yacht clubs for the construction of sewage pumpout and dump stations to help reduce pollution from recreational boating.

The Illinois EPA is seeking proposals for projects aimed at addressing nonpoint source (NPS) pollution to enhance the quality of Illinois' surface and groundwater. Funded through the Clean Water Act's Section 319(h), this program supports the development and implementation of watershed-based planning projects. These projects may include creating new watershed-based plans, updating existing plans, providing technical assistance for NPS pollution control, and conducting environmental and social indicator monitoring. The goal is to prevent, eliminate, or reduce water quality impairments through strategic planning and community engagement. Grant renewed every year.

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) offers the Section 319(h) Grant Program to address nonpoint source (NPS) pollution affecting Illinois’ water resources. This program, funded through the Clean Water Act, supports projects that prevent, eliminate, or reduce water quality impairments caused by NPS pollution. Prioritized projects include those implementing approved watershed-based plans or Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Implementation Plans, with activities ranging from BMP implementation to monitoring and outreach efforts. The program encourages applications that demonstrate a comprehensive approach to NPS pollution control and offer sustainable environmental benefits. Grant renewed every year.

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 FY 2025 CTE Education Career Pathway RFP, accessible through the ISBE Web Application Security (IWAS) system, is aimed at entities capable of supporting career and technical education (CTE) activities as outlined in 23 Ill. Adm. Code 256.400. The RFP for the FY 2025 planning year does not require an initial allocation or itemized budget; approved applicants will later submit an amended application with detailed financials and agreements as directed by ISBE. The application deadline is May 3, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. Grant renewed every year.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has introduced the Home Illinois Workforce Pilot as part of the Job Training Economic Development Program, with a $5 million budget to address homelessness and workforce development. This grant targets Continuum of Care (COC) areas, aiming to connect individuals experiencing homelessness with employment opportunities, thereby enhancing financial stability and access to permanent housing. The program prioritizes employment navigation, partnerships, support services, work readiness, and training and education. It seeks to create a system where homeless individuals can secure and retain quality jobs, contributing to their long-term economic and housing stability.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is offering the Community Development Block Grant-Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) Urban Shelter Program, focusing on constructing, reconstructing, rehabilitating, or acquiring properties for homeless shelters. With $15 million in federal funding, the program aims to return shelter capacities to pre-COVID levels. Eight awards, ranging from $500,000 to $2,000,000, are anticipated. The program prioritizes projects that address the impacts of COVID-19, with an emphasis on assisting the homeless population and enhancing public health and safety. Eligible applicants include local government units with direct HUD funding and entities with a strong homelessness support network.

The Illinois Energy Transition Navigators Program, funded by the state's Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, aims to establish a network of community-based providers throughout Illinois to facilitate community education, outreach, and recruitment. These providers will connect individuals to clean energy workforce and contractor development programs, with a focus on equity investment eligible communities and individuals. The program has a budget of $6 million and expects to award 13 grants ranging from $250,000 to $600,000. It targets specific hub regions and operates on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis.

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 issues a Notice of Funding Opportunity to establish an incentive grant program to attract new out of state events to Illinois when competing with other destinations. The program supports local development of competitive packages to secure events that generate hotel room nights and economic impact. Allowable costs may include venue rental and staging, event rentals, food and non alcoholic beverages and service labor, audio visual support and service labor, entertainment as part of an otherwise planned event, registration and event management software and services, transportation shuttles tied to master accounts, bid fees, and room night credits that exceed stated thresholds. Disallowed costs include venue owned items when the applicant controls the facility and assets. Performance goals include hotel room nights booked, economic impact, and attraction or retention of events that would not otherwise occur in Illinois. Eligible applicants include units of local government, local promotion groups, not for profit organizations, for profit organizations, and convention center authorities. Entities must be registered in the state’s GATA grantee portal with valid identifiers, good standing, and absence from exclusion lists. Awards will range from 50,000 to 5,000,000 dollars from a total expected pool of 15,000,000 dollars. The period of performance is expected to run from January 25, 2024 through January 31, 2029. Applications are due May 1, 2024 through the department’s process. Proposals should document public benefit and compliance with eligibility and performance measures. Additional information is available from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

This program provides funding for feasibility studies that promote economic development and improve community resources in rural areas of Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

The City of Evanston's Small Business Recovery Program is designed to safeguard the local small business economy and preserve the city's economic and cultural fabric. While not explicitly a foundation, the City of Evanston's mission alignment with this program is evident in its commitment to supporting the independent businesses that define the city's identity. This initiative directly addresses the sustained negative economic impacts of the pandemic on these vital businesses. The program primarily targets existing small, independently owned brick-and-mortar businesses in Evanston, particularly focusing on minority, disadvantaged, and veteran-owned enterprises. To be eligible, businesses must have been operating on or before March 13, 2020, possess a physical Evanston location with proper registration/licensing, and have 50 or fewer employees. The overarching impact goal is to facilitate recovery from the pandemic's economic downturn, ensuring these businesses can continue to operate and contribute to the community. The program prioritizes a range of services and expenses to achieve its goals. These include facade improvements, rehabilitation/renovation of commercial properties, signage, professional services (accounting, tax, insurance, legal), marketing/communications technical assistance, capital expenditures (tools and equipment), training and certifications, relocation/expansion within Evanston (for qualified census tracts), and hiring/training of new employees. The maximum grant amount per applicant is $25,000, with other eligible expenses capped at $10,000. Priority will be given to M/W/D/EBE businesses or those located in qualified census tracts if applications exceed available funding. The expected outcomes include the revitalization of small businesses, job retention and creation, and an overall strengthening of Evanston's local economy. Measurable results will likely stem from the types of expenses funded, such as improved business appearance, enhanced operational efficiency through new equipment, increased marketing reach, and expanded workforces. The City's strategic priority is to prevent business closures and stimulate economic growth post-pandemic, operating on the theory that direct financial and technical assistance to vulnerable small businesses is the most effective way to achieve a resilient local economy and maintain its unique cultural identity.

The City of Evanston's "Sustain Evanston" Incentive Program is a funding tool designed to empower small business owners to implement sustainability measures. This initiative directly aligns with the City’s Climate Action & Resilience Plan, serving the foundational mission of fostering a more sustainable community. By offering financial assistance, the program aims to reduce operating costs for businesses while simultaneously enhancing their service to customers through environmentally friendly practices. This strategic alignment underscores the city's commitment to both economic vitality and ecological responsibility. The primary beneficiaries of this program include commercial property owners, tenants of commercial buildings, business districts, and coalitions of businesses within the City of Evanston. The impact goals are centered on improving the environmental footprint of local businesses, promoting sustainable infrastructure, and encouraging eco-conscious operations. Through these efforts, the program seeks to create a more resilient and environmentally sound local economy, benefiting both businesses and residents. The program prioritizes a broad range of sustainability measures, categorized into capital projects, equipment, services, and education materials. Key focuses include the adoption of heat pumps, EV charging infrastructure, solar PV, waste collection enclosures, green infrastructure like green roofs, and energy-efficient upgrades such as insulation and windows. Equipment priorities involve reusable containers, energy-efficient lighting, and appliances. Services like composting, recycling, energy/water benchmarking, and consulting are also emphasized, alongside educational signage and labels. These priorities reflect a holistic approach to sustainability, addressing various facets of business operations. Expected outcomes include a significant reduction in the operational costs for participating businesses due to increased energy efficiency and waste reduction. Measurable results will likely involve the number of businesses implementing sustainable upgrades, the amount of energy saved, the volume of waste diverted from landfills, and the expansion of green infrastructure within the city. The program's strategic approach is to incentivize tangible changes that collectively contribute to the City’s broader Climate Action & Resilience Plan, acting as a catalyst for widespread sustainable practices within the business community. This aligns with a theory of change where financial incentives drive behavioral and infrastructure changes, leading to a more sustainable and resilient urban environment.

This program provides financial assistance to new small businesses in Evanston, helping them cover essential operating costs and equipment expenses to foster job creation and sustainability.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for healthcare programs that serve medically underserved communities in the Chicago area, prioritizing initiatives led by nurses.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in the greater Quad Cities region that are focused on improving community health through innovative services and partnerships.

The FY 2025 Early Childhood Block Grant (ECBG) RFP, managed by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), targets new and current grantees looking to increase service capacity. The grant focuses on preschool education and prevention initiatives, supporting entities outside of Chicago in providing educational, health, social, and child development services to young children and their families. Applications must meet GATA prequalification requirements and are due by 4:00 p.m. on May 16, 2024. Grant renewed every year.

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

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.