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Illinois Employment Labor and Training Grants

Explore 150 grant opportunities

Light a Single Candle Grants
Contact for amount
Light a Single Candle Foundation
Private

Application Deadline

Mar 28, 2026

Date Added

Oct 28, 2025

This grant provides funding to organizations working on sustainable development initiatives that alleviate poverty in specific areas, including international locations, the Greater Metropolitan St. Louis region, and West Central Illinois.

Youth
Nonprofits
Manufacturing Training Academies
$6,000,000
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
State

Application Deadline

Apr 30, 2026

Date Added

Dec 30, 2025

This program provides funding to downstate Illinois community colleges for establishing advanced manufacturing training facilities to support workforce development in high-demand sectors.

Workforce Development
Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Economic Development Program
$1,000,000
Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (IDCEO)
State
Rolling

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Jul 28, 2025

This program provides financial assistance to Illinois local governments to support private businesses in creating and retaining jobs for low-to-moderate income individuals in economically distressed areas.

Community Development
City or township governments
Finish Line Grant Program
$75,000
Aurora Regional Economic Alliance Foundation
Private
Rolling

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Jun 5, 2025

This program provides financial assistance to small commercial and mixed-use property owners and tenants in Aurora, Illinois, for essential property improvements and renovations.

Infrastructure
Small businesses
Great Lakes Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program
$40,000,000
Minneapolis Foundation
Private

Application Deadline

Nov 1, 2026

Date Added

Dec 9, 2024

This program provides $40 million in funding to support environmental and public health initiatives in underserved communities across the Great Lakes region, prioritizing tribal governments, small nonprofits, and local organizations addressing environmental challenges.

Environment
City or township governments
AmeriCorps Competitive Traditional
$800,000
Illinois Department of Human Services
State

Application Deadline

Mar 23, 2026

Date Added

Dec 16, 2024

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and local governments in Illinois to deploy AmeriCorps members for community service projects that address critical needs in areas like education, health, and public safety.

Youth
Nonprofits
SBIR/STTR Match Program
$50,000
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
State

Application Deadline

Jun 30, 2026

Date Added

Jan 28, 2025

This program provides financial support to Illinois-based for-profit businesses that have received a federal Phase I SBIR or STTR grant, helping them advance their innovative research and pursue further funding opportunities.

Science and Technology
Small businesses
Aurora Women’s Empowerment Foundation Grant Program
Contact for amount
Aurora Women’s Empowerment Foundation (AWEF)
Private
Rolling

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Dec 6, 2023

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in the greater Aurora, Illinois area that empower women, particularly women of color, through programs focused on education, economic empowerment, and racial equity.

Women & Girl Services
Nonprofits
Business Attraction Prime Sites
$25,000,000
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
State

Application Deadline

Jun 30, 2026

Date Added

Jul 1, 2025

This program provides financial support to businesses looking to relocate or expand in Illinois, encouraging significant job creation and investment in key industries like life sciences and advanced manufacturing.

Business and Commerce
For profit organizations other than small businesses
Economic Development Program
$2,000,000
Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)
State
Rolling

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Jul 28, 2025

This funding initiative provides financial support to local governments in Illinois for transportation infrastructure improvements that facilitate business growth and job creation.

Transportation
County governments
Community Development Block Grant Economic Development Program
$1,000,000
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
State
Rolling

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Nov 19, 2024

This program provides financial assistance to local governments in Illinois to help create or retain jobs by supporting private businesses through infrastructure improvements and direct funding for projects.

Community Development
City or township governments
The Dow Last Mile Fund for Manufacturing & Skilled Trades
$5,000
Last Mile Education Fund
Private
Rolling

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Dec 7, 2023

This initiative provides financial support to students in manufacturing and skilled trades programs at colleges near Dow facilities, helping them overcome financial barriers to complete their education and advance their careers.

Workforce Development
Individuals
Economic Development Program (EDP)
$2,000,000
Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)
State
Rolling

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Jan 27, 2025

This grant provides funding to local governments in Illinois for roadway improvements that facilitate job creation and retention by supporting new or expanding businesses.

Infrastructure
City or township governments
ETIP Strategic Sectors Single Company Grant
$10,000,000
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
State
Rolling

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Nov 16, 2025

This program provides financial support to Illinois-based companies in strategic sectors for job training initiatives that enhance employee skills and promote economic growth.

Workforce Development
For profit organizations other than small businesses
Community Services Grant Program
$75,000
Illinois City of Urbana Community Development Services Department
Local

Application Deadline

Apr 6, 2026

Date Added

Feb 2, 2026

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations delivering essential services to low-income residents in Urbana, Illinois, focusing on areas such as domestic violence, education, healthcare, and housing.

Income Security and Social Services
Nonprofits
VNA Foundation Invites LOIs for Services Benefiting Chicago’s Medically Underserved
$80,000
VNA Foundation
Private
Rolling

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Feb 28, 2024

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

Health
Nonprofits
Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program
$1,000,000,000
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
State

Application Deadline

Feb 26, 2025

Date Added

Feb 10, 2025

This program provides funding to organizations for projects that improve broadband access in underserved and unserved communities across Illinois, promoting digital equity and economic growth.

Diversity Equity and Inclusion
City or township governments
Illinois Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program
$4,000,000
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
State

Application Deadline

Not specified

Date Added

Oct 7, 2024

This program provides funding to establish training hubs across Illinois that will help jobseekers gain skills for careers in the clean energy sector by connecting them with employers and training resources.

Community Development
County governments
Workforce Upskilling for HVAC Supply Chain Manufacturers
$2,000,000
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
State

Application Deadline

Jan 9, 2026

Date Added

Nov 11, 2025

This grant provides funding to support training programs for HVAC and plumbing supply chain manufacturers in St. Clair County, Illinois, aimed at enhancing workforce skills and job readiness.

Workforce Development
Exclusive - see details
SNAP & TANF E&T Training and Technical Assistance
$350,000
Illinois Human Services
State

Application Deadline

Jul 11, 2024

Date Added

Jun 17, 2024

To ensure that employment & training programs are providing exceptional services to SNAP and TANF customers and their families in Illinois, E&T Training, Technical Assistance(E&T-TTA) is provided to community-based organizations, direct service workers, units of local government, system stakeholders, etc. in regard to Department program models, data collection systems, best practices in collaborative career planning, employability assessments, employment placement, education & training, trauma-informed motivational interviewing, principles and practices of racial equity and various other provider identified trainings and support activities. Additional E&T-TTA functions include an online resource center, networking activities, a training advisory group and the capacity to provide the staff support for various ad-hoc committees to ensure provider input related to program development and improvement activities.

Workforce Development
Nonprofits