Illinois Education Grants

The General Operating Support (GOS) Grants, offered by the Illinois Arts Council Agency (IACA), aim to bolster established not-for-profit organizations that deliver arts programming to their communities. This initiative directly aligns with the IACA's mission to support and strengthen the arts in Illinois. The grant provides financial assistance ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 for activities occurring between November 1, 2024, and August 31, 2025. Eligible entities include registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organizations, branches of government, charitable trusts, institutions of higher education, religious organizations, and school affiliate organizations, all of whom must be in good standing with the state and meet specific operational and application criteria. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are not-for-profit arts organizations and, by extension, the diverse communities they serve across all counties in Illinois. The IACA's strategic priorities for this initiative are deeply rooted in equity and outreach. The program specifically focuses on under-resourced communities, including rural areas, high-poverty regions, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) groups, and individuals with disabilities. This targeted approach seeks to ensure that state support reaches a broader and more equitable demographic of Illinois communities. The initiative's core aims include analyzing the demographic distribution of past awards, engaging constituents for feedback on their needs and experiences, identifying areas for improvement in the IACA's funding approach regarding equity, and recommending actionable steps to achieve greater grant-making equity. These objectives are designed to build an evidence base that can be used to advocate for the resources necessary to expand state support to a wider array of Illinois communities. Expected outcomes and measurable results revolve around a more equitable distribution of arts funding and increased access to arts programming for under-resourced communities. The IACA anticipates that by addressing equity strengths and weaknesses and implementing recommended actions, they will successfully reach more diverse communities. Allowable expenses cover a wide range of operational costs, from artist fees and salaries to facilities, supplies, technology, marketing, and general administrative overhead, ensuring that organizations can effectively implement their programs and achieve their community impact goals.

This program provides funding to public K-12 and charter schools in Illinois to enhance arts education by engaging local artists and purchasing necessary materials and equipment.

It is the policy of the State to enhance the development of all eligible infants and toddlers to minimize developmental delays and maximize individual potential for adult independence. It is the need of the State to implement, on a statewide basis, locally based, comprehensive, coordinated, multidisciplinary, interagency, Early Intervention (EI) services for all eligible infants and toddlers. The EI Program is a statewide program for the evaluation and assessment of infants and toddlers ages birth to three, as well as the provision of services for those who have a qualifying disability or diagnosis, a 30 percent delay in development in one or more of the five developmental domains, or who are at risk of developmental delays. Children and families access EI services through one of 25 Child and Family Connections (CFC) offices. This Notification of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) issued by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), Division of Family and Community Services, Bureau of EI, seeks agencies located within Illinois to serve as the CFC offices for designated geographic areas. (See chart in Appendix I to identify the area served by each CFC office.) CFC offices are the regional intake entities defined in state statute (325 ILCS 20) and rule (89 IL Admin. Code 500) as IDHS’s designated entity responsible for implementation of the EI Program within its designated geographic area. IDHS is required to assure the designation of regional points of entry to accomplish consistent and equitable intake and service coordination throughout the State, with services defined in Section A.2. Separate proposals for each geographical intake region must be submitted for those agencies submitting for more than one geographical intake region.

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 Community Foundation of East Central Illinois (CFECI) is offering the 2024 Community Commitment Grant, a program designed to support various essential sectors within the east central Illinois region. This grant aligns directly with the foundation's mission to address community problems and seize opportunities in the areas of arts and humanities, environment, education, health and human services, urban affairs, and youth activities. While all these categories are considered, the foundation seeks proposals that demonstrate practical approaches to community challenges, foster collaboration among agencies, and generate broad community support through both professional and volunteer engagement. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are charitable tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations or comparable non-profit public charities serving residents of east central Illinois. The impact goals are to strengthen the effectiveness and stability of these agencies and to improve the quality of life within the targeted communities. The grant specifically prioritizes proposals that promote cooperation, community involvement, and sustainable solutions to local issues. By supporting these organizations, the CFECI aims to cultivate a more resilient and vibrant community ecosystem. The focus of the Community Commitment Grant is broad, encompassing several key areas crucial for community well-being. These include cultural enrichment through arts and humanities, environmental stewardship, educational advancement, improved health and human services, positive urban development, and robust youth programs. The foundation encourages innovative proposals that not only identify problems but also offer actionable solutions, thereby contributing to a comprehensive approach to community development. Expected outcomes include enhanced services and programs offered by recipient organizations, increased collaboration among local agencies, and greater community engagement in addressing shared challenges. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond the qualitative impact of strengthening agency effectiveness and generating community support, the historical grant range of $500 to $7,500 indicates a commitment to providing impactful, albeit varied, levels of financial assistance. The CFECI's strategic priority is clearly to empower local organizations to effect positive change, operating on a theory of change that by investing in practical, collaborative, and community-supported initiatives, significant and lasting improvements can be made across diverse sectors within east central Illinois.

This grant provides financial support to Illinois artists and non-profit organizations for various arts-related projects, programming, events, and professional development opportunities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to educational organizations in Illinois to enhance professional development and resources for early childhood educators and families serving young children with disabilities.

This contest invites photographers of all skill levels to showcase their images of the Cook County Forest Preserves, with a focus on capturing the area's natural beauty and outdoor activities.

This funding opportunity provides resources to implement and evaluate programs that teach coping and problem-solving skills to young females aged 10-19, aiming to reduce suicide risk in communities across the U.S.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to charitable nonprofits in various sectors, including arts, education, and health, to help them implement programs or expand initiatives within the community.

This funding opportunity provides community colleges in Illinois with up to $25,000 each to create programs that assist students facing homelessness or housing insecurity.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and higher education institutions for initiatives that improve earthquake safety and awareness across multiple states or nationally.

The Agricultural Education Pre-service Teacher Internship Program by the Illinois State Board of Education aims to address the shortage of middle and secondary school agricultural educators in Illinois. The program provides a statewide internship for pre-service agricultural educators, enhancing their content knowledge, promoting industry partnerships, and offering professional development. Eligible applicants must form partnerships between educational entities and postsecondary institutions offering internship programs. The total funding available for this program is $360,960, with the application period running from April 12, 2024, to May 28, 2024, at 4 PM. The program seeks to recruit pre-service teachers from all accredited agricultural education programs in Illinois, offering them an eight-week or 300-hour internship. Applicants must submit their proposals electronically via the ISBE Attachment Manager. The grant period begins no sooner than July 1, 2024, and may extend to August 31, 2025, if summer programming occurs. The program is renewable for up to two additional years, contingent on compliance and performance.

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

The Movember Indigenous Men’s Wellbeing Innovation Initiative is a grant funding and capacity building program aimed at empowering Indigenous-led organizations. This initiative supports the development, implementation, and evaluation of innovative programs and interventions to enhance Indigenous men's social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB). As one of four initiatives under Movember’s new Indigenous Social and Emotional Wellbeing Portfolio, it aligns with Movember's broader mission to build voice, capability, and power among Indigenous boys and men to design, lead, implement, and sustain SEWB in their communities, and to strengthen knowledge of effective SEWB strategies. The grant specifically targets Indigenous boys and men across all life stages in the United States. The program's core focus is on delivering innovative new programming or strengthening existing promising approaches that demonstrate improvements in SEWB. Movember aims to foster cultural connection and pride, embrace cultural knowledge, elevate overall social, emotional, spiritual, and physical wellbeing, strengthen resilience, enhance health literacy, and improve access to culturally appropriate spaces and services that support SEWB. These priorities are central to achieving the desired impact of improved holistic wellbeing within Indigenous communities. Eligible applicants must be Indigenous owned/managed/led organizations based in the United States, legally able to accept grant funds, and either implementing an existing SEWB program with promising evidence or proposing a new program aligned with the funding goals. This ensures that the initiatives are culturally relevant and community-driven. Movember’s strategic priorities reflect a commitment to supporting Indigenous self-determination and strengthening community-based solutions. The initiative provides annual funding of up to USD $250,000 per applicant for three years. The expected outcomes include a significant improvement in SEWB among Indigenous boys and men in the USA, measurable through indicators such as increased connection to culture and community, enhanced resilience, improved health literacy, and better access to culturally appropriate support services. This investment reflects Movember’s theory of change, which posits that by empowering Indigenous-led organizations and fostering innovative, culturally relevant programs, lasting positive impacts on Indigenous men's wellbeing can be achieved.

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.

The Hubbell-Waterman Foundation is actively seeking grant applications from nonprofit organizations operating within Scott County, Iowa, and Rock Island County, Illinois. The foundation's mission is deeply rooted in enhancing community well-being through strategic investments in three key areas: culture and the arts, education, and social welfare. This aligns with their overarching goal of fostering a vibrant, educated, and supportive community by addressing critical needs and enriching local life. Within the realm of culture and the arts, the foundation prioritizes cultivating and supporting both visual and performing arts, investing in landmark cultural institutions, and backing new, innovative programs that contribute to community enrichment. For education, their focus extends to pre-K–12 education, encompassing after-school and summer programs, creative learning initiatives, life skills and career training, environmental education with a sustainability emphasis, and crucial mental health programs for students and their families. Social welfare initiatives are designed to support accessible programs for individuals and families, specifically targeting at-risk and low-income family services, food and nutrition support, housing security, immigrant and refugee community support, and physical and mental health services. The foundation's funding strategies support a variety of grant types to achieve its impact goals. These include capital campaigns and acquisitions for construction and renovations, operational and/or program grants for up to three years following a capital campaign, and multi-year program grants, also not exceeding three years. These program grants may also cover general operating expense reimbursement. The target beneficiaries are primarily nonprofit organizations serving the specified counties, and through these organizations, individuals and families who will benefit from improved access to cultural experiences, educational opportunities, and social support. Expected outcomes include a more culturally vibrant community, improved educational outcomes and access, enhanced life skills, increased environmental awareness, better mental health support for students and families, and stronger social safety nets for vulnerable populations. The foundation's strategic priorities are clearly laid out in its long-term funding priorities and its defined areas of focus. Their theory of change appears to be that by strategically investing in these three core areas through various grant mechanisms, they can catalyze positive, sustainable change within the communities of Scott County, Iowa, and Rock Island County, Illinois, ultimately leading to a more inclusive and thriving society.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Great Lakes states and tribes for collaborative projects aimed at preventing and managing aquatic invasive species across state and tribal boundaries.

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.