Illinois Private Grants

The Boone County Community Foundation awards grants for projects that enhance the quality of life in Boone County. Donor Name: Boone County Community Foundation State: Illinois County: Boone County (IL) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/15/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Foundation Funds Health and social services Educational programs Community and neighborhood projects Children, youth, and family projects Cultural and arts-related projects The Foundation looks for a Projects Addresses a community need Celebrates the diversity in the community Articulates reasonable, measurable outcomes Outlines a specific plan for project Encourages cooperation with other organizations Demonstrates quality, vision, effectiveness, and good management. Eligibility Criteria Be a not-for-profit or public sector service organization that carries out charitable projects or provides services in Boone County, IL Operate an organization that does not violate anti-discrimination laws Have submitted a final report or progress report from any previous year if the organization received a grant. The Foundation does not funds Fundraisers Budget deficits Scholarships. For more information, visit BCCF.

The Chicago Community Trust is requesting proposals for its LGBTQ Community Fund’s 2024. Donor Name: The Chicago Community Trust State: Illinois County: Cook County (IL), DuPage County (IL), Kane County (IL), Lake County (IL), McHenry County (IL), Will County (IL) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/26/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: LGBTQ Community Fund grants are designed for a wide variety of initiatives that respond to identified LGBTQ+ community needs. Focus Areas  For 2024, the Fund seeks to support organizations with operating budgets of less than $2 million, doing work focused on one or more of the following priority areas: Seniors: Proposals that address the unique needs of LGBTQ+ seniors, including affordable housing, access to government and nonprofit resources, vocational services, healthcare, age discrimination, and community and belonging. Youth: Proposals that address the unique needs of LGBTQ+ youth, including affordable housing, access to government and nonprofit resources, vocational services, healthcare, age discrimination, community and belonging, leadership development, and safety issues. Arts: Proposals that provide LGBTQ+ inclusive arts and culture opportunities. Intersectionality: Priority will be given to proposals that address the compounded effects of multiple (or intersecting) systems of oppression experienced by those holding multiple marginalized identities within the LGBTQ+ community (i.e. heterosexism and racism, heterosexism and ableism, heterosexism and cis-sexism, etc.). Inequities: Priority will be given to proposals focused on serving historically marginalized and underserved groups within the LGBTQ+ community, including older adults, people living with disabilities, youth, trans and gender non-conforming people, People of Color, and women/femmes. Funding Information For 2024, grants may be requested for general operating support. Grants will generally range from $20,000 to $40,000 and the Fund will award up to $400,000 in grants. The grant term is one year. Eligibility Criteria  To be eligible for funding from the LGBTQ Community Fund, applicants must meet all of the following criteria: Have a current year operating budget of less than $2,000,000; Be a nonprofit organization with evidence that it (a) has been recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as an organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code; (b) is fiscally sponsored by a Section 501(c)(3) organization; or (c) is a governmental unit within the meaning of Section 170(c)(1) of the Code; Be described in Section 170(b)(1)(A) of the Code, other than a “disqualified supporting organization” within the meaning of Section 4966(d)(4) of the Code; and Be located within or primarily serving residents of the Chicago metropolitan area (City of Chicago, Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties). For more information, visit The Chicago Community Trust.

The Heart of Illinois Community Foundation is seeking applications for its Impact100 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:  09/13/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Types of Projects or Programs Supported The Heart of Illinois Community Foundation invites proposals in the areas of arts/culture/recreation, social services, conservation/environment, health, youth, and education. This application accepts proposals for operating funds. What is your organization’s greatest need right now? Do you have a one-time project that would address a critical need? Are you starting a new program or expanding a current one? Do you have an improvement project that’s beyond your organization’s means? Funding Information $200,000 available funding for 2024. Funding range per grant: no minimum to $50,000. Eligibility Criteria Have 501(c) 3 status from the Internal Revenue Service or be a qualified charitable, religious or government organization. Organization must be located in Macon, Piatt, or Moultrie counties or Paris, IL The grantmaking process of The Heart of Illinois Community Foundation prioritizes 501c3 organizations that are recognized by the IRS as operating public charities for a minimum of 3 years. For more information, visit HICF.

The Community Foundation of East Central Illinois is accepting applications for the 2024 Community Commitment Grant. Donor Name: Community Foundation of East Central Illinois State: Illinois County: Champaign County (IL), DeWitt County (IL), Ford County (IL), Grundy County (IL), Iroquois County (IL), LaSalle County (IL), Livingston County (IL), McLean County (IL), Shelby County (IL) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/31/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Community Foundation of East Central Illinois invites proposals in the areas of arts and humanities, environment, education, health and human services, urban affairs and youth activities. While applications in any of these categories will be considered, awards may not be made in every category. Successful proposals will address problems to be solved or opportunities to be seized upon in the east central Illinois area. You are encouraged to submit proposals that: Suggest practical approaches to addressing community problems. Promote collaboration and cooperation among agencies. Generate community support, both professional and volunteer. Strengthen an agency’s effectiveness or stability. Funding Information Grants have historically ranged from $500 to $7,500. Eligibility Criteria  Any organization with an IRS Letter of Determination of a charitable tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status or other comparable non-profit public charity that serves the residents of east central Illinois is eligible to apply. For more information, visit CFECI.

Recognizing the power that holidays can have on a community, ComEd has partnered with the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus to launch the fourth year of the ComEd Powering the Holidays Program. Donor Name: Metropolitan Mayors Caucus State: Illinois County: Selected Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/23/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year Details: This program awards grants of up to $2,500 throughout ComEd’s service territory for community-based holiday lights events. Program Goals The ComEd Powering the Holidays Program aims to: celebrate community identity and culture; provide an opportunity for intercultural exchange and understanding; foster respect and open-mindedness for different cultures; develop an appreciation, understanding and respect for what is important to neighbors and others in their community; provide a pathway for people to gain a sense of belonging to their community. Grant Period November 1, 2024 – February 13, 2025. Eligibility Criteria  Powering the Holidays will provide grants of up to $2,500 for community-based holiday lights events. Grant recipients must use their funds for any holiday between November 1st, 2024 – February 13th, 2025. Municipalities, townships, counties, and other local governments located within ComEd’s service territory in the following counties: Boone, Bureau, Carroll, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Ford, Grundy, Henry, Iroquois, Jo Daviess, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, LaSalle, Lee, Livingston, Marshall, McHenry, Ogle, Rock Island, Stephenson, Whiteside, Will, Winnebago and Woodford. 2022 and 2023 Powering the Holidays grant recipients are ineligible. Not-for-profit organizations and cultural institutions are eligible to apply if they partner with at least one municipality. Not-for-profit organizations and cultural institution applications must demonstrate municipal support to be considered for funding. All events must adhere to federal, state, and local policies. All events must be deemed safe by authorities. All events must provide an opportunity for attendance by the general public. Events can be private and have attendance caps, but the general public must be able to attend an event or community-based holiday configuration for free on occasion. Sustainability and efficiency are key values to ComEd and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus; therefore, applicants must demonstrate a reuse case for the holiday event and materials purchased with grant assistance. The grant cannot be used as a “one-off” occasion. Applicants must match at least 20% for the event. Please contact the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus if your community is facing financial hardship and is unable to provide the 20% match. They reserve the right to waive this match on a case-by-case basis. Applicants must be in good standing with ComEd related to provision of utilities. For more information, visit Metropolitan Mayors Caucus.

The Community Foundation of Central Illinois is currently accepting applications for its Community Needs Grants. Donor Name: Community Foundation of Central Illinois State: Illinois County: Selected Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/04/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Grantmaking Principles The Community Foundation of Central Illinois (CFCI) invests in the community by supporting programs that address community needs and have lasting value. Therefore, CFCI’s grantmaking is: Focused by addressing established CFCI and donor designated priorities. Strategic by supporting programs with well defined objectives and measurable outcomes that improve the quality or scope of charitable work in the community. Collaborative by leveraging resources and cultivating partnerships. Elements CFCI Supports through Community Needs Grants: Community Development Capacity Building Education Funding Information Apply for up to $15,000. Eligibility Criteria Open to all organizations with tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, those that operate under a fiscal agent that is a 501(c)(3) organization, and to local units of local, county, state or federal government. Grant funding may support new or existing programs that positively benefit central Illinois. Program must be operated and organized in such a manner that no applicable anti-discrimination laws are violated. Organization must be current on all grant evaluations. If the organization is currently being funded by a CFCI grant, and the grant evaluation is not yet due, an interim report summarizing the progress of the grant must be submitted along with the application. For more information, visit Community Foundation of Central Illinois.

The Community Foundation of Central Illinois is inviting applicants for its Women’s Fund Success Grants to strengthen families and communities by providing grants to organizations whose programs help empower women and girls. Donor Name: Community Foundation of Central Illinois State: Illinois County: Selected Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/04/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Since 1993, the Women’s Fund of the Community Foundation of Central Illinois has been working to change the lives of women and children in central Illinois. Funding Information Apply for up to $5,000. Eligibility Criteria Open to all organizations with tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code, those that operate under a fiscal agent that is a 501(c)3 organization, and to churches, schools, units of government, or other qualified organizations. Grant funding may support new or existing programs that positively benefit central Illinois. Program must be operated and organized in such a manner that no applicable laws are violated. Organization must be current on all grant evaluations. If the organization is currently being funded with a CFCI grant, and the grant evaluation is not yet due, an interim letter summarizing the progress of the grant must be submitted along with the application. For more information, visit CFCI.

The Community Foundation of Central Illinois is pleased to announce the Local Jobs Fund Grant to support projects that have a direct linkage to breaking the cycle of poverty by equipping people with the skills to earn significantly more than minimum wage. Donor Name: Community Foundation of Central Illinois State: Illinois County: Selected Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/04/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Eligibility Criteria Open to all organizations with tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code, those that operate under a fiscal agent that is a 501(c)3 organization, and to churches, schools, units of government, or other qualified organizations. Grant funding may support new or existing programs that positively benefit central Illinois. Program must be operated and organized in such a manner that no applicable laws are violated. Organization must be current on all grant evaluations. If the organization is currently being funded with a CFCI grant, and the grant evaluation is not yet due, an interim letter summarizing the progress of the grant must be submitted along with the application. For more information, visit CFCI.

This grant provides financial support for nonprofit organizations and public entities to undertake community projects that improve the quality of life for residents in DeKalb County, Illinois.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit and public organizations in Illinois, particularly in DeKalb County, to enhance music education initiatives for underserved communities.

The Skokie Community Foundation (SCF) seeks to invest in organizations and projects that are poised to make a difference in the lives of Skokie residents and strengthen the community beyond the grant period. Donor Name: Skokie Community Foundation State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/04/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Skokie Community Foundation (SCF) places particular priority on proposals that: Use a Collective Impact model, which is a network of community members, organizations, and institutions who advance equity by learning together, aligning, and integrating their actions to achieve population and systems level change.  Bring about unity in diversity and emphasize the importance of breaking down barriers, building relationships, and working toward a shared vision of unity and mutual respect and understanding in the Skokie community. Grant Period Grants will be made for one year for the period of January 1 through December 31, 2025. Type of Grant Program: Applications may be based upon new initiatives, pilot projects, or continuing improvements to projects that have shown long-term, positive impact. Funding: SCF typically funds grants in the amount of $5,000. Proposals may requestup to $10,000. Areas of Funding: Preference will be given to proposals that directly address how the project will benefit Skokie residents in areas of clearly identified needs. SCF fosters a supportive, engaged and dynamic community in Skokie through meaningful giving, collaboration and community programming. Eligibility Criteria  Each proposal must be submitted by at least two organizations working together to benefit Skokie residents. Each organization must submit a joint written statement (which can be brief) detailing that each organization jointly supports the project, and detailing their responsibilities or how they will support the proposed project. One of the co-applicants must be a 501(c)(3) organization, a school, or a government entity or must have a fiscal sponsor that qualifies as a tax-exempt organization under Sec. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All proposals must address issues, concerns and/or opportunities for Skokie and its residents. Proposals must primarily benefit Skokie residents and the majority of those benefiting must be Skokie residents. Applicants need not be based in Skokie. Evaluation Criteria SCF will evaluate proposals according to the following criteria: Does the proposal address a significant concern, need, or opportunity in Skokie? Can it be scaled? Does the proposal clearly show how the grant will be used to foster collaboration between organizations to make a positive change in Skokie that would not otherwise occur? Does the proposal address the role to be played by each co-applicant, the qualifications of each co-applicant, and the division of responsibilities between each co-applicant? If applicable, does the proposal address the recruitment of participants from Skokie? Is the project budget appropriate to the goals, objectives, and expected outcomes? Is the evaluation plan sufficient to track progress and determine success? How important is the funding to the project? Would the project move forward without it? For more information, visit Skokie Community Foundation.

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 Illinois Equal Justice Foundation makes grants to provide legal advice and referral services in civil matters to Illinois residents via regional legal services hotlines. Donor Name: Illinois Equal Justice Foundation State: Illinois County: Cook County (IL) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/26/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: A regional legal services hotline is an Illinois-based not-for-profit organization that: Provides callers with general information on how to use the legal system; Offers free legal advice and self-help materials to low-income callers; Refers low-income callers to appropriate civil legal services providers. Provides coordinated intake and referral services. Uses Of Grant Funds Grants will be made to support the operating expenses of regional legal services hotlines.  These operating expenses include staff salaries and benefits, and other costs directly related to providing advice and referral services to callers. Eligibility Criteria In the Telephone Advice and Referral Services category, the IEJF will only consider applications from Illinois-based not-for-profit organizations that: Provide free legal advice and referral services to low-income persons. Serve Cook County or have a designated service area of at least 25 Illinois counties; Provide legal advice and referral services on one or more civil legal issues. Use licensed attorneys to provide legal services to callers. For more information, visit IEJF.

The Illinois Equal Justice Foundation makes grants to provide Illinois residents using the court system with legal advice and brief legal assistance to help them effectively navigate the legal system. Donor Name: Illinois Equal Justice Foundation State: Illinois County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline:  07/26/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: In the Self-Help Legal Assistance Project category, the IEJF will consider support for projects that meet the following definition: Self-help Legal Assistance Project: Self-Help Legal Assistance Projects are programs based at or near courthouses or in other appropriate community spaces that provide legal advice and assistance about particular substantive areas of the law to litigants or potential litigants in noncriminal or traffic matters who are unable to obtain or do not have legal representation for a dispute involving one of those particular substantive areas of the law.  Due to COVID-19 restrictions, virtual projects in this category will be considered. Uses Of Grant Funds In the Self-Help Legal Assistance category, the IEJF will make grants to support operating costs for self-help legal assistance projects, including personnel costs. Eligibility Criteria In the Self-Help Legal Assistance Project category, the IEJF will only consider applications from Illinois-based not-for-profit organizations that: Provide self-help legal assistance free of charge. Provide legal advice or self-help assistance as described in the Purpose section of these guidelines. Provide legal advice or self-help assistance in areas of the law that include problems commonly faced by members of the public (e.g., family law, consumer and credit issues, housing, immigration), specifically areas of the law that affect lower-income Illinois residents. Provide legal advice or self-help assistance in a location that is accessible to the public, like a courthouse, library or community organization. Due to COVID-19 restrictions on public gatherings, proposals that include virtual projects are permitted. Use licensed attorneys to provide services, who can be supplemented by law-students or other non-attorneys acting under the supervision of licensed attorneys, or for legal matters where accredited non-attorney representatives are permitted to provide services (e.g., immigration and tax matters), a representative accredited by the appropriate administrative agency to provide services in matters pending before that agency. In the Self-Help Legal Assistance category, the IEJF will not consider proposals for: Telephone-based services; Civil legal services programs’ efforts to provide legal information and self-help assistance as part of their screening and intake systems; General efforts to inform the public about the law, such as Law Day activities; the development and dissemination of law-related curricula to schools; essay contests; or other community legal education initiatives that are not designed to help people address specific legal problems; and Legal information and self-help projects involving issues of criminal law. For more information, visit IEJF.

The Illinois Equal Justice Foundation makes grants to provide mediation services to Illinois residents, as an efficient and cost-effective alternative to traditional legal processes.  Donor Name: Illinois Equal Justice Foundation State: Illinois County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/26/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The IEJF will support selected mediation programs whose purpose is to improve access to just resolutions of disputes for those who might not otherwise have such access. Grants to support mediation services will be made to dispute resolution centers, which are not-for-profit organizations that offer free mediation services to the public that are provided by trained volunteers.  Due to COVID-19 restrictions, virtual mediation services and centers will be considered. Uses Of Grant Funds In the Mediation Services category, the IEJF will consider support for: New Dispute Resolution Centers To increase the availability of mediation services throughout Illinois, the IEJF will consider applications for “start-up” grants to new dispute resolution centers – including those that have begun operation and those that will begin offering services during the grant period – that can demonstrate the ability to provide mediation services in accordance with these guidelines. Existing Dispute Resolution Centers The IEJF will consider applications for operating support from existing dispute resolution centers. These operating expenses include staff salaries and benefits, as well as other costs directly related to providing mediation services including activities required to measure success, effectiveness and efficiency as it relates to organizational mission and that are used for learning and improvement. Eligibility Criteria In the Mediation Services category, the IEJF will only consider applications from Illinois-based not-for-profit organizations that: Provide free mediation services to disputants. Provide mediation services using volunteers who have received at least 30 hours of training as mediators. Have operating procedures in place that demonstrate compliance with Section 5 of the Illinois Not-for-Profit Dispute Resolution Center Act (710 ILCS 20/5), including: Operating an ongoing peer review program for mediators; Scheduling mediations within 30 days of the commencement of a case; Maintaining records on mediated cases; Advising parties of the objectives of mediation, their roles and the mediator’s role; Considering disputes resolved when there is a written agreement. For more information, visit IEJF.

The Illinois Equal Justice Foundation (IEJF) makes grants to help Illinois residents understand how to use the legal system to resolve a problem. Donor Name: Illinois Equal Justice Foundation State: Illinois County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/26/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: In the Legal Information for the Public category, the IEJF will consider support for two types of projects: Legal Information Centers: Legal information centers are designed to operate as a “starting point” for people who are considering the use of the legal system to resolve a problem. A legal information center will offer printed, video and/or Internet -based materials on topics such as the operation of the court system; how to obtain legal representation; legal rights and responsibilities in various substantive areas of the law; and alternatives to litigation.  Legal information centers should be located in libraries, courthouses, or other locations that are accessible to the public.  Due to COVID-19 restrictions, virtual information centers and projects under this category will be considered. Legal Information Projects:  Legal Information projects are efforts that complement legal information centers by helping Illinois residents who are unable to obtain or do not have legal representation to understand and resolve their legal problems in accordance with applicable law and court procedures.  Legal information projects can include:  the preparation and distribution of self-help packets that include legal information, forms and instructions; pro se classes taught by attorneys; and/or other creative efforts to help give Illinois residents the information and resources to resolve their legal problems on their own when appropriate.  Due to COVID-19 restrictions, virtual information projects and projects under this category will be considered. Uses of Grant Funds In the Legal Information for the Public category, the IEJF will make grants to support: Operating costs for legal information centers and legal information projects, including personnel costs. The creation and distribution of legal information and self-help materials. Eligibility Criteria In the Legal Information for the Public category, the IEJF will only consider applications from Illinois-based not-for-profit organizations that: Provide legal information free of charge. Provide legal information as described in the Purpose section of these guidelines under the supervision of a licensed attorney, the court, or for legal matters where accredited non-attorney representatives are permitted to provide services (e.g., immigration and tax matters), a representative accredited by the appropriate administrative agency to provide services in matters pending before that agency. Provide legal information in areas of the law that include problems commonly faced by members of the public (e.g., family law, consumer and credit issues, housing, immigration), including areas of the law that affect lower-income Illinois residents. Provide legal information in a location that is accessible to the public. In the Legal Information for the Public category, the IEJF will not consider proposals for: Telephone-based services; Civil legal services programs’ efforts to provide legal information and self-help assistance as part of their screening and intake systems; General efforts to inform the public about the law, such as Law Day activities; the development and dissemination of law-related curricula to schools; essay contests; or other community legal education initiatives that are not designed to help people address specific legal problems; and Legal information and self-help projects involving issues of criminal law. For more information, visit IEJF.

The Illinois Equal Justice Foundation makes grants to provide legal assistance to low-income Illinois residents who cannot afford to hire an attorney. Donor Name: Illinois Equal Justice Foundation State: Illinois County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/26/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Priority Areas The IEJF grants will focus on two priority areas: Legal Assistance to Families in Crisis This includes civil legal assistance in cases involving family law (eg., orders of protection, child custody, guardianships, school disciplinary hearings,  is solution of marriage and post-decree matters), consumer law, and veterans and disability benefits.  Housing will not be a priority for funding this year due to IEJF’s eviction and foreclosure grant programs funded via IDHS and IHDA. Legal Assistance to Older Illinoisans This includes efforts to provide civil legal assistance to protect people 65 and older from physical and financial abuse and financial hardship. It includes civil legal assistance in cases involving orders of protection; guardianships; health care; consumer and credit issues; housing; and public benefits programs such as Social Security and Medicare. Uses of Grant Funds Grants will be made to support direct service staff positions at eligible legal services providers, including attorneys, paralegals and/or pro bono coordinators, and social/caseworkers that are performing duties directly supporting to the civil legal services being delivered by direct service staff. Grant funds can be used to pay for salaries, benefits, and limited overhead costs (10%) directly related to supporting the position.  The applicant must demonstrate how the proposed staff position will help the organization provide efficient and effective legal assistance to persons in one or both of the priority areas. Eligibility Criteria In the Civil Legal Assistance category, the IEJF will only consider applications from Illinois-based not-for-profit organizations that: Serve persons in one or both of the two priority areas listed above (Legal Assistance to Families in Crisis and Legal Assistance to Older Illinoisans). Have been in continuous operation for at least two years prior to the date the application is submitted to the IEJF. Have received and expended at least $200,000 for the provision of civil legal assistance to low-income persons in its most recently completed fiscal year. Employ four or more full-time, licensed attorneys who provide civil legal assistance to low-income persons at the time the application is submitted to the IEJF; or have provided legal representation to at least 200 low-income persons through the services of pro bono attorneys in their most recently completed fiscal year. For more information, visit IEJF.

This grant provides financial support to local non-profit organizations that serve children in the St. Charles area, focusing on specific programs rather than administrative costs.

This grant provides financial support and educational resources to diverse-led businesses in Illinois, helping them grow and create new jobs.

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