Illinois Private Grants

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and public entities in Sangamon County, Illinois, to create accessible recreational opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

The Heart of Illinois Community Foundation Grants is currently accepting applications for the 2024 CommunityWorks Grant Program. Donor Name: Heart of Illinois Community Foundation State: Illinois County: Macon County (IL), Moultrie County (IL), Piatt County (IL) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/07/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The overall purpose of CommunityWorks is to provide a coordinated, systems-based approach toward the achievement of community aspirations. CommunityWorks invites proposals in the areas of workforce development, education and environmental sustainability. Purpose & Types of Projects Supported CommunityWorks invites proposals in the areas of workforce development, education and environmental sustainability. Funding Information $400,000 available. Funding range per grant: $10,000 to $100,000. Criteria Have 501(c) 3 status from the Internal Revenue Service or be a qualified charitable or government organization in Macon, Piatt, or Moultrie counties or Paris, IL. For more information, visit HICF.

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.

This program provides matching grants to local businesses in Libertyville to support growth and sustainability through various improvements, excluding general operational costs.

The Carl R. Hendrickson Family Foundation, established in 1991, is dedicated to enhancing the quality of educational, human services, and healthcare programs for underprivileged communities. With a deep-rooted Christian faith, the foundation offers special consideration to initiatives that not only cater to the basic needs of individuals but also embrace spiritual growth. Emphasizing innovative approaches, it provides financial support to organizations striving to make a significant impact through entrepreneurial methodologies. Grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 are available for either program or general operating support, with the condition that program support requests do not exceed 30% of the program's budget. Organizations with annual budgets under $10 million are eligible to apply. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual deadline: June 1st

This grant provides valuable website and digital marketing services to nonprofit organizations in the Chicagoland area to help them enhance their community impact.

This program provides financial support to local artists in Waukegan, Illinois, to help cover costs related to their artistic projects and enhance community engagement through the arts.

This initiative provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Chicago to create or improve youth and community centers, addressing the urgent need for safe spaces for young people in areas with high youth populations.

With generous support from the Wells Fargo Foundation, NALCAB will provide capacity building grants of $30,000 and customized technical assistance (TA) to 10 organizations, prioritizing organizations located in Wells Fargo’s priority geographic markets. Donor Name: National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders (NALCAB) State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/18/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year Details: The primary purpose of this award is to support a nationwide network of Latino- and immigrant-serving organizations to advance culturally relevant approaches to family financial health in low-and moderate-income Latino and immigrant communities. This program of grantmaking, technical assistance and training is intended to strengthen the delivery of financial capability services focused on: Integrating a culturally relevant financial curriculum into asset-building programs like homeownership and small business development services.  Intentionally utilizing financial coaching to prepare participants to access capital for asset-building activities.  Improving organizational capacity to track and report financial health outcomes, with a focus on improving credit, increasing savings, increasing income, and reducing debt.  Prioritizing access to innovative financial products to boost family financial wellness, such as increasing savings, decreasing debt, or building or establishing credit. Wells Fargo Priority Markets: NALCAB will focus on the following priority markets, as communicated by Wells Fargo: Georgia: Atlanta  Illinois: Chicago  North Carolina: Charlotte  Texas: Dallas, Houston  California: Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco  Florida: Miami  Tennessee: Nashville New York  Pennsylvania: Philadelphia  Arizona: Phoenix  Missouri: St. Louis  Washington, DC  Minnesota: Minneapolis Grant Period  October 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025. Eligibility Criteria Eligible applicants are any 501(c)(3) nonprofits who integrate, or plan to integrate, culturally relevant financial capability services into existing asset-building programs. Applicants should demonstrate:  A comprehensive and specific strategy that will result in meaningful and measurable impact and change for Latino and immigrant financial health.  Organizational capacity to implement the proposed strategy. Budget and projected outcomes that align with the proposed strategy. For more information, visit NALCAB.

Grants are available through the Metro East Park and Recreation District for events that promote the use of public parks, trails, and outdoor recreation facilities in Madison and St. Clair Counties in Illinois. The Event Sponsorship Grant Program offers funding of up to $2,500 for public organizations and up to $1,000 for 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations. Eligible events include walking, running, hiking, biking, biathlons, and triathlons that take place within MEPRD's jurisdiction and contribute at least ten percent of event proceeds towards funding improvements or developments to public parks or trails in the designated counties. Eligible applicants must be public organizations or 501(c)3 organizations headquartered within MEPRD's jurisdiction or within 15 miles of it. Only one event sponsorship grant award is allowed per MEPRD fiscal year. For more information, visit MEPRD's website.

This grant provides financial assistance to nonprofit organizations in Illinois for unexpected expenses or new opportunities that were not included in their budgets.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to educational institutions and organizations to develop programs that prepare students for careers in the clean energy sector, focusing on skills development and workforce readiness.

This program provides funding to local organizations in Iroquois County to enhance their existing food, shelter, and emergency assistance services for individuals and families in need.

Applications are now being accepted for its Action Grants. Donor Name: Illinois Humanities State: Illinois County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline:  05/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Action Grants cover projects or initiatives that explore the digital humanities, apply new techniques in audience engagement, and build new and diverse audiences. Priority is given to projects that spark more risk-taking and experimental and engaging public humanities work on the part of Illinois nonprofits. Project budgets can cover project expenses as well as engagement activities. Projects must utilize the humanities. Media projects such as oral history, filmmaking, journalism, storytelling, and other disciplines are all a part of this field. Funding Information Up to $4,000. Eligibility Criteria Must be a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization or have a fiscal sponsor Organizations or projects must be Illinois-based The project must be rooted in the humanities Priority given to organizations with an annual budget of $1 million or less Can not have an open Vision, Action, or General Operating grant For more information, visit Illinois Humanities.

The Operations and Program Grant program is to provide general operating support or program support for successful ongoing efforts Donor Name: Quad Cities Community Foundation State: Illinois, Iowa County: Rock Island County (IL), Scott County (IA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: General operating support is crucial to the long-term success of nonprofit organizations. This grant program aligns with the Community Foundation’s strategic effort to use effective grantmaking practices including: Flexible Funding: requests for general operating support are eligible for funding, and are given preference.  Reliable Funding: One-year or Two-year requests will be considered.Nonprofit organizations may apply for a grant from several different Community Foundation funds through the Operations and Program Grant program. To save time and effort, applicants submit one application and are considered for multiple funding sources. The Operations and Program Grant program continues to follow the original purposes of each fund and the intent set up by its donors. All specific fund purposes fall into one or more fields of interest: Animals & Environment; Arts & Culture; Community Development; Education; Health; and Youth Development. Fund Categories Amy Helpenstell Foundation Fund: General Operating and Program requests only. Non-501(c)3 organizations and K-12 schools not eligible to apply for these funds. Must be located within a 60-mile radius of Rock Island, IL. Chip Sunderbruch Memorial Risk Management Fund: Focuses on risk management and safety in Scott County, IA. John J. Quail Fund: Focuses on arts and culture. Roy E. Murray Fund: Focuses on youth. Funding Information Organizations submitting a 2-year grant request should request between $5,000 and $20,000 for each year (so a total request amount of between $10,000 and $40,000) Eligibility Criteria An organization must: Be located in Scott County, IA or Rock Island County, IL (Organizations that are not in those counties but are located within a 60-mile radius of Rock Island, IL are eligible for a grant from the Amy Helpenstell Foundation Fund only.) Organizations must NOT have received a two-year grant from the CFOI process in the prior calendar year. Organizations must comply with the Diversity and Non-Discrimination Policy.  Additional Eligibility Information 1-Year and 2-Year requests will be accepted Requests must cover the grant period of October 1– September 30 Requests must be between $5,000 and $20,000 ($40,000 total for 2-year requests) Applications from nonprofits that do not have 501(c)3 status and K-12 schools are not eligible for funding from the Amy Helpenstell Foundation Fund. Evaluation Criteria Preference will be given to applications requesting general operating support. Preference will be given to applications supporting existing successful organizations or programs. Organization/program meets an identified community need in at least one of the six fields of interest. The organization/program demonstrates effectiveness in achieving its goals relative to the dollars used. The grant will contribute strongly to organization/program’s overall success. Organization/program advances racial and other forms of equity in the Quad Cities region through its actions and its leadership. Organization/program has a track record of success and a positive community impact. Funds that are part of the Operations and Program Grant opportunity will still be awarded in the name of that fund, and according to their individual purposes, eligibility requirements, and evaluation criteria. For more information, visit QCCF.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is seeking proposals for the 2024 Monarch Butterfly and Pollinators Conservation Fund to advance pollinator conservation. Donor Name: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) State: Selected States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/24/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 3 Years Details: The goal of the Monarch Butterfly and Pollinators Conservation Fund (Pollinator Fund) is to protect, conserve, and increase habitat for the monarch butterfly and other native insect pollinators.  The most competitive projects will demonstrate clear benefits to both monarch butterfly and additional at-risk native insect pollinator species (i.e., federally listed, candidate, or proposed native insect pollinator species). Special consideration will be given to projects benefiting rusty patched bumble bee, Franklin’s bumble bee, Karner blue butterfly, Dakota skipper, Poweshiek skipperling, and Mitchell’s satyr. Categories Grants will be awarded in two categories:  Technical Assistance for Private Working Lands Funding in this category will support implementation of technical assistance to increase the number of private landowners voluntarily engaged in monarch butterfly and pollinator conservation practices on private working lands. Up to $2 million is expected to be available for grants ranging from $150,000 to $500,000. Funding will be awarded for projects up to three years in length following finalization of the grant agreement. This category aims to support conservation planning and practice design with private landowners to advance voluntary conservation efforts on working lands that align with NRCS Working Lands for Wildlife frameworks or initiatives, and especially increase Working Lands for Wildlife participation among farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners in the Historically Underserved and Special Emphasis categories. The 2024 Pollinator Fund RFP will support projects that: Direct staff resources to help agricultural producers design and implement conservation practices. Increase Farm Bill program participation and conservation practice implementation among agricultural producers, especially farmers and ranchers in the Historically Underserved and Special Emphasis categories. Funding in this category will support the following two strategies: Hiring additional staff or contractors, based on demonstrated need, including staff to assist private landowners and NRCS with developing pollinator habitat management plans and implementation of new and existing NRCS financial assistance contracts. Targeting outreach to landowners and other partners to prioritize, plan, and deliver financial assistance available through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), and other Farm Bill programs to improve pollinator habitat and support at-risk pollinator species. Habitat Improvement Funding in this category will support on-the-ground work to increase the quality, quantity, and connectivity of habitat for the monarch butterfly and other native insect pollinators. Up to $3.1 million is expected to be available for grants ranging from $200,000 to $300,000. Funding will be awarded for projects up to two years in length following finalization of the grant agreement. Applicants in this category should define a step-by-step restoration plan including site preparation, equipment used, planting techniques, size of the project area, description of target native plant community, and maintenance plan (e.g., prescribed burning, mowing, grazing schedules). Projects proposed to benefit other at-risk native insect pollinators should specify habitat needs for those species and how the proposed work will support their breeding, nectaring, nesting, or other habitat needs. Funding in this category will support the following two strategies: Restore and enhance pollinator habitat, with an emphasis on regionally appropriate milkweed and a diversity of native nectar plants. Increase native seed and seedling supply, with an emphasis on improving the sustainability and affordability of regionally appropriate, local ecotypes. Program Priorities  All proposals must specifically address how the proposed project will directly and measurably contribute to the accomplishment of the Pollinator Fund’s goals as outlined in NFWF’s Monarch Butterfly Business Plan. As such, all proposals must provide the number of acres restored or enhanced as a result of the project. Proposals must include plans to restore or enhance a minimum of 100 acres in California or 500 acres in all other eligible states. Acres may be counted from multiple sites; the sites do not need to be contiguous. Since 2015, successful proposals have included a median of 960 acres and an average of 2,120 acres restored or enhanced.  Funding Information The Pollinator Fund will award up to $5.1 million in grants in 2024: up to $2 million for Technical Assistance for Private Working Lands and up to $3.1 million for Habitat Improvement. Funding is provided by Bayer Crop Science, Danone North America, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and U.S. Forest Service (USFS).  Geographical Areas  Technical Assistance for Private Working Lands  Grant funding will be awarded in the following eligible states: Arkansas, Arizona, California, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. Within eligible states, priority will be given to projects located in the North Core, South Core, West Core, and Overwintering Monarch Conservation Units. Projects are restricted to private working lands. Habitat Improvement Grant funding will be awarded in the following eligible states: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Within eligible states, priority will be given to projects located in the North Core, South Core, West Core, and Overwintering Monarch Conservation Units. West of the Rocky Mountains, priority will be given to projects on or adjacent to the following: monarch butterfly overwintering sites, BLM lands, and USFS lands. Eligibility Criteria  Eligible and Ineligible Entities: Eligible applicants include nonprofit 501(c) organizations, U.S. federal government agencies, state government agencies, local governments, municipal governments, tribal governments and organizations, and educational institutions. Ineligible applicants include businesses, unincorporated individuals, and international organizations. For more information, visit NFWF.

The Lumpkin Family Foundation is currently accepting letters of inquiry for its Land, Health, Community (LHC) Grant Program. Donor Name: The Lumpkin Family Foundation State: Illinois County: Coles County (IL), Effingham County (IL) Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Land, Health, Community (LHC) is the Foundation’s primary and largest grantmaking program and reflects the Lumpkin family’s historic connection and commitment to the community. A minimum of 50 percent of its annual grantmaking budget is spent on projects in East Central Illinois. Through Land, Health, Community we work toward a long-term vision of holistically healthy communities. The Lumpkin Family Foundation makes grants in East Central Illinois that reflect the vision: The community has a strong local food system and agricultural economy, resilient businesses, and amenities that attract new businesses and retain local talent. They are prosperous. The community is physically active, values healthy eating, and prioritizes overall wellbeing. They are mentally well and physically fit. The community has strong leadership and the capacity for collaboration. They are socially engaged. The community works to conserve, protect and preserve the natural environment. They value the natural beauty of the area. Mental Health The Lumpkin Family Foundation has now expanded the program’s focus to include efforts that contribute to mental wellness through individual and community engagement with the natural environment. Researchers have posited that “contact with nature is associated with increases in happiness, subjective well-being, positive affect, positive social interactions and a sense of meaning and purpose in life, as well as decreases in mental distress.” Specifically, the foundation aims to fund programs that: Demonstrate and promote a connection between engagement with nature and positive mental health outcomes; Create opportunities for youth and young adults to disengage from technology and engage in outdoor programs and activities designed to improve their mental wellness; Support mental health practitioners by increasing opportunities for self-care or personal renewal; Provide opportunities for those impacted by trauma (i.e., foster youth) to engage in nature-based healing activities. Focus Areas  Successful proposals will represent a synergy of as many of the following aims as possible: Promote personal health through widespread availability and consumption of healthy, affordable food; Support mental wellness through individual and community engagement with the natural environment; Grow the local agricultural economy, sustaining and creating new viable farm and farm-related businesses; Develop, promote and scale innovative green practices that add productive value to farms while protecting the land for future generations; and, Encourage community engagement and collaboration, policy development and research around agriculture and rural development. Geographic Areas of Interest  The Foundation encourages applicants from organizations across East Central Illinois. The foundation gives preference to rural organizations and those operating in Coles and the surrounding counties. For more information, visit TLFF.

The Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln encourages nonprofit organizations to apply for the Community Grants Program. Donor Name: Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln State: Illinois County: Cass County (IL), Christian County (IL), Logan County (IL), Macoupin County (IL), Menard County (IL), Montgomery County (IL), Morgan County (IL), Sangamon County (IL) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/12/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Funding Information Multiple grant awards of up to $5,000 each will be made from the Community Grants Program. Geographic Limitations Cass, Christian, Logan, Macoupin, Menard, Montgomery, Morgan, and/or Sangamon County, IL. Who can apply? Organizations submitting a funding request to any grant program must be a: 501(c)(3) charitable organization; OR faith-based organization (proposals must benefit all, regardless of religion, and be for a service provided which is not religious in nature), OR public or private school (proposals must be for projects that exceed the school’s budget funding); OR some government entities or municipalities may be eligible. For more information, visit CFLL.

The Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust invites applications for projects to advance the quality of life for companion animals and native wildlife. Donor Name: Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust State: Selected States County: Selected Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/15/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: It is focused on helping organizations go beyond basic care with innovative projects that provide an enhanced quality of life today and in the future. Program Areas  The Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust’s priority is helping organizations go beyond basic care to support initiatives that will provide an enhanced quality of life for homeless and abused companion animals today and in the future. Funding applications should address one of the following program areas: Animal Adoption, Behavior Training, and Fostering Continuing Education and Training Humane and Wildlife Education Medical Care, Rehabilitation, and Wellness Care for Animals Pet and Feral Animal Population Control through Spay/Neuter Equipment Other Animal Care Initiatives Examples of projects preferred by the Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust include: Animal Adoption, Behavior Training, and Fostering – projects to increase successful adoptions or other non-capital means of expanding shelter capacity. Continuing Education and Training – opportunities for staff and volunteers to improve delivery of care and retain employees. Humane and Wildlife Education – school and community programs that address respecting animals, humane care, health issues and human/wildlife conflicts. Medical Care, Rehabilitation, and Wellness Care for Animals – improving access to care for native wildlife and owned companion animals in under-resourced urban/rural areas, as well as those owned by socially vulnerable populations. Pet and Feral Animal Population Control through Spay/Neuter – assistance for owned pets from under resourced households, incentive programs encouraging adoptions from shelters and humane control numbers of community cats or dogs. Equipment – items that directly benefiting homeless or injured animals Other Animal Care Initiatives – projects that celebrate the human-animal bond. Eligibility Criteria  Types of organizations supported by the Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust are limited to: Humane societies Animal welfare organizations focused on companion animals Nonprofit spay/neuter clinics Native wildlife rehabilitation and nature centers Educational institutions Equine organizations providing therapeutic programs or focused on adoption Other state or community organizations dedicated to companion animals Eligible organizations must: Have a current 501(c)(3) ruling from the IRS. Be in Ohio or selected counties in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York and Wisconsin. Provide evidence of proper financial stewardship Financial support from 100% of board members Pursue a high quality of life for individual animals and improve the situation of significant numbers of animals. Deliver outstanding humane care, in facilities that meet or exceed accepted health and safety standards Have written policies on adoption procedures, spaying/neutering companion animals leaving the agency, display/release of wildlife, and keep records on intake/disposition of all animals. Annual revenue for basic animal sheltering, rescue, and care activities from sustainable sources. Preference will be given to organizations established for more than five years with an annual budget exceeding $50,000. For more information, visit KASCT.

This grant provides matching funds to commercial property owners and businesses in specific zoning districts of Libertyville, Illinois, to improve the appearance and condition of their buildings and sites.