Best Youth Sports Grants in Illinois

Objective

The intent of the program is to promote Illinois as a travel destination to the international leisure traveler. The International tourism program is important to the State of Illinois' tourism industry to match/leverage local funds with State funds to promote destination drivers, to market and promote attractions and events throughout the State to international travelers to ultimately impact the economic growth of the tourism industry.

The International Tourism Grant Program is important to the State of Illinois' tourism industry to match/leverage local funds with State funds to promote destinations that are of interest to international travelers. The goal of the program is to increase international travel to Illinois by our identified target markets.

Priority funding will be given to those areas with an extensive international product including bookable product with both receptive tour operators and international tour operators. This would include product in tour operator brochures and promotional material. Priority will also be given to those areas with state and national parks, national forests, scenic byways and have sites of historic and cultural significance. 

Award Range

• $10000 - $155000

The Big Ten Academic Alliance Smithsonian Fellowship offers unique research opportunities for graduate students from member universities. Eligible candidates can conduct research at the Smithsonian in diverse fields such as anthropology, ecology, and history of science. The fellowship provides a stipend of $45,000 per year, with additional research allowances, and supports both U.S. and international students. This initiative fosters collaboration among leading academic institutions to advance knowledge and innovation.

The Illinois Small Business Development Centers, operated by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), provide essential support to small businesses and entrepreneurs in Illinois. This initiative focuses on delivering professional, individualized advising and technical assistance, helping businesses access capital, enhance operations, and foster innovation. By nurturing a conducive environment for growth and development, the program aims to strengthen Illinois’ economy and ensure it remains a top choice for business endeavors.

The Pharmacy Support Program, initiated by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), aims to enhance access to pharmacy services across Illinois. This initiative will provide grants to a statewide retail association representing pharmacies, particularly focusing on critical access care pharmacies and those serving underserved populations. The program emphasizes equitable economic opportunities and supports pharmacies facing challenges in areas with low population density and high poverty levels.

Illinois Department of Public Health

Assuring the quality of our food, setting the standards for hospital and nursing home care, checking the safety of recreation areas, overseeing the inspection of milk producing farms and processing plants, maintaining the state's vital records and screening newborns for genetic diseases are just some of the duties of the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).

IDPH is organized into 12 offices, each of which addresses a distinct area of public health. Each office operates and supports numerous ongoing programs and is prepared to respond to extraordinary situations as they arise.

Mission Statement: The Illinois Department of Public Health is an advocate for and partner with the people of Illinois to re-envision health policy and promote health equity, prevent and protect against disease and injury, and prepare for health emergencies.

Dementia Caregiver Program for Underserved Populations

Short Description

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Dementia Program will provide general revenue funds to develop and deliver education and support for caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders (ADRD) from four diverse groups: Component 1- Black Americans, Component 2-Hispanic/Latinx Americans, Component 3-Asian Americans, and Component 4-Rural Caregivers. The purpose of the Dementia Caregiver Program for Underserved Populations grant is to increase awareness, education, support, and community connection for caregivers of people living with ADRD in order to reduce stress, empower, and support caregivers from diverse populations, as well as reduce barriers and stigma that prevent access to care. This new grant program aims to support strategies from the 2026-2029 Illinois Alzheimer’s Disease State Plan, including to identify and partner with community-based organizations to assist in the dissemination of culturally responsive caregiving resources and support (Public Education and Awareness 2.E.6) and to promote awareness and use of evidence-based caregiver education (Service Delivery 3.D.3.a). Many of the activities in this program will also align with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Healthy Brain Initiative, including to Ensure caregivers have information, tools and resources about their vital role and ways to maintain their own health and well-being, Action E-7 from the Healthy Brain Initiative: State and Local Road Map for Public Health, 2023-2027 (cdc.gov). Federal Authorization N/

Objective

The granted organization will educate caregivers about the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders (ADRD), best care practices, culturally appropriate community resources, and increase the caregiver’s level of confidence when advocating and discussing ADRD with healthcare professionals on behalf of care recipients. Grantees will recruit caregivers from the targeted communities listed to participate in the program. Grantees will provide all necessary materials to educate caregivers including but not limited to Wi-Fi and technical support, electronic device access (i.e., borrowing system), multilingual ADRD caregiver handbooks, and any other materials deemed necessary to educate caregivers. The granted organization will be responsible for promoting the trainings to the targeted audience of caregivers identified, registering and on-boarding the attendees for all trainings, creating and providing the educational content, facilitating the training events, administering pre and post-tests, arranging online support groups, and setting up in-person memory cafes to be offered to caregivers and care recipients with ADRD.

About the Illinois Department on Aging

The mission of the Illinois Department on Aging is to serve and advocate for older Illinoisans and their caregivers by administering quality and culturally appropriate programs that promote partnerships and encourage independence, dignity, and quality of life.

Senior Health Assistance Program

Description

Tobacco Settlement Recovery Funds and federal grants funds have been earmarked for the Department to provide educational outreach and enrollment/application assistance on Medicare Part D drug plans, Social Security's Extra Help, Medicare Savings Programs, Seniors Free Transit Ride, Persons with Disabilities Free Transit Ride, and the Secretary of State's License Plate Discount Program through the network of Area Agencies on Aging and local service providers. The Area Agencies on Aging have funded approximately 150 Senior Information and Assistance Sites around the state to help older adults and family members learn about and apply for these federal and state public benefits. The Legislative mandate of the Senior Health Assistance Program (SHAP) is to provide information and assistance to older adults about available pharmaceutical assistance programs.

The APS Training/Supervision Assistance Grant, offered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), aims to support Adult Protective Services through reimbursement for supervision and training. With staffing shortages impacting service delivery, this grant incentivizes hiring and retention by providing funds for caseworker training and supervision. Eligible applicants include county and city governments, nonprofit, and for-profit organizations, ensuring a broad base of support for vital protective services in Illinois.

The Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program in Illinois provides essential funding for clean drinking water, sewage disposal, solid waste management, and storm water drainage in eligible rural areas. It supports projects for the acquisition, construction, or improvement of necessary infrastructure, ensuring that communities have access to reliable services. Eligible applicants include local governments, nonprofits, and federally recognized tribes, fostering sustainable development and public health in underserved areas.

The 230 Outpatient Fitness Restoration Grant provides essential outpatient mental health services and fitness education for non-dangerous defendants adjudicated unfit to stand trial. This program focuses on community-based fitness restoration, which includes psychiatric and substance abuse treatment, aimed at reducing the number of individuals on waiting lists for inpatient services. With approximately 16 grants anticipated, the initiative supports both adults and juveniles, ensuring timely access to necessary treatments while upholding fairness and ethical standards in the judicial process.

The Community Facilities Grant Program in Illinois offers financial assistance to develop essential community facilities in rural areas, such as healthcare, public safety, and educational services. Eligible applicants include public bodies and non-profit organizations serving communities with populations under 20,000. Funding can cover construction, equipment, and project expenses. Grants are awarded based on community income levels, with varying percentages of project costs covered depending on the population size and income criteria.

The Illinois Biodiversity Field Trip Grant supports teachers in Illinois, including home-schooling educators, to facilitate outdoor learning experiences focused on biodiversity. Eligible field trips must occur primarily outdoors and can receive funding for transportation and substitute teacher costs. With a maximum of $500 per teacher, this initiative encourages collaboration among educators. Applications must be submitted for trips occurring before December 31, 2026, and notifications will be sent by March 15, 2026.

The Harvey and Ethel Daeumer Foundation Grant, established in 2001 in memory of Harvey's late wife Ethel, aims to support local charitable initiatives focused on children's education, health, and welfare. Nonprofit organizations recognized under IRS 501(c)(3) can apply for funding, which must be fully utilized for approved programs. Any unspent funds must be returned or approved for retention by the Foundation. This grant continues the legacy of generosity left by Harvey and Ethel, benefiting the community.

401 Suicide Prevention Call Center EnhancementThe Department of Human Services Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery is seeking to fund the capacity expansion of its Suicide and Crisis Lifelines. Entities applying are expected to answer calls that are geo-routed by county and must be able to respond to text and chat interactions that are routed statewide.

This grant is a performance-based grant. Applicants are expected to demonstrate past performance operating a Suicide and Crisis Lifeline center. For applicants without Lifeline call center experience, proposals must demonstrate the ability to meet the expectations outlined in this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).Funding Purpose: The general purpose of this program's funding is to Prioritize equitable, efficient, reliable and timely access across call, chat and text for persons experiencing a behavioral health or other crisis. To expand contact center capacity to response to calls, chats and texts in Illinois.

Perkins Grant

The Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V) became effective on July 1, 2019. This Act reauthorizes the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Perkins IV). Perkins V is largely based on the structure and content of Perkins IV and remains the most important piece of legislation affecting career and technical education (CTE) in Illinois. The purpose of the law is to develop more fully the academic knowledge and technical and employability skills of secondary and postsecondary education students who elect to enroll in CTE programs and programs of study. Perkins V facilitates this by placing a greater emphasis on the following areas:

• Local flexibility
• Comprehensive stakeholder engagement and collaborative planning
• Innovation
• Accountability
• Alignment with other education and workforce programs

The Cemetery Relief Grant, offered by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, aims to assist local government units and nonprofit organizations in cleaning up abandoned and neglected cemeteries. Applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria, including valid registrations and good standing with state authorities. The funds are strictly designated for cleanup purposes, and grants are not renewable, requiring reapplication for continued assistance.

Childhood Cancer Research

The grant purpose is to fund one awardee or a research project conducted by Illinois researchers on childhood cancer. The grant award must be used to research childhood cancers or expand current childhood cancer research that must be completed by June 30, 2027. Topics may include, but are not limited to, epidemiology, etiology, pathology, social or economic impacts, in-home care, and psychosocial issues. This is a one-year grant award.

The Community Network Anchors RFA aims to strengthen existing Community Networks by fostering collaboration among diverse partners, including mental health providers, schools, and advocacy groups. This initiative is designed to enhance the well-being of families, helping them access essential resources to thrive and mitigate crises. Grant recipients will build on existing materials provided by IDPH and CBHTI, engaging in regular meetings to ensure a robust support system in their communities.

Ryan White Part B Lead Agents NOFO

Estimated Total Program Funding

• $20,238,382

Single Award Range 

• $996189 - $10129837

The Ryan White Part B Lead Agent Grant is a one-year competitive grant award beginning on April 1st, 2026, and funded by Ryan White Part B (RWPB) funds, Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) funds, and IL General Revenue funds.

Ryan White Lead Agents safeguard the provision of necessary medical, support, and core Ryan White Part B services to people in Illinois living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Furthermore, Lead Agents increase the number of minority and disproportionately affected people living with HIV infected individuals receiving medical care and improve partnerships and community engagement at the local level. Ryan White Lead Agents are responsible for sustaining medical benefit initiatives that assist RWPB-eligible clients in obtaining an appropriate insurance coverage to reduce costs of services referred to above.

Ryan White Lead Agents use Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA) funds to secure stable housing for the PLWHA community. Additionally, Lead Agents provide necessary housing and support services to low income, uninsured, and underinsured PLWHA in Illinois.

Ryan White Lead Agents are key partners in the Community Re-entry Project (CRP), a coordinated multistakeholder re-entry project that includes public health, corrections, medical and behavioral health, and human services providers; as well as additional stakeholders invested in the health and well-being of reentry populations, their families, and communities. The CRP has developed and refined a model re-entry program for people living with HIV and those at highest risk for HIV using Corrections Case Managers (CCMs) who provide services through a coordinated region-wide case management system. CRP provides or leverages a host of other services through the partner organizations which include outreach, health education, family reunification, substance abuse treatment, ID procurement, primary medical care, and training and technical assistance. 

Midwest Nursing Research Society (MNRS)

The MNRS originally began to provide a place for nurses to collaborate, and collaborate they did! Over time, the founding members began to realize the benefits of having an organization dedicated specifically to nursing research. With some careful attention and a lot of hard work, we have grown into the organization it is today. We're a society where scientists, innovators, and drivers of clinical practice across the career trajectory, come together to share ideas and grow our field through innovative research.

The mission of the MNRS is to generate knowledge, translate evidence into practice, and enhance careers through collaborative engagement, implementation, and dissemination among diverse scholars. Our Vision to be the premier society that advances science, fosters leadership, and drives dissemination to improve health equity for all people.

It is an honor to recognize the important contributions of our nursing colleagues. MNRS accepts nominations for our five very prestigious awards to selected members of the Society who have made significant and notable contributions to the field of nursing through research. 

Distinguished Contribution Award

The purpose of the Distinguished Contribution Award is to recognize the scientific contribution of a member who has conducted or promoted research, which has enhanced the science and practice of nursing in the MNRS region.

The National Coastal Resilience Fund (NCRF) aims to protect coastal communities through nature-based solutions, enhancing habitats while addressing the growing threats of climate change. Established in 2018, the fund focuses on restoring vital ecosystems like marshes and reefs to mitigate flooding impacts. With rising sea levels and increasing storm intensity, NCRF invests in community-led projects that foster resilience, ensuring both people and wildlife can adapt to changing environmental conditions.

The AW Environmental Grant Program, backed by American Water Works Company, Inc., aims to support community-driven projects focused on water conservation and the protection of vital water resources. Since 2012, the foundation has invested over $15 million in innovative initiatives that enhance access to clean water and promote responsible water usage in underserved communities. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) charities and educational institutions committed to environmental stewardship.

The Illinois "Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development" (OSLAD) is offered annually through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). The OSLAD program is a grant program that provides up to 50% (90% for distressed communities) funding assistance to eligible, local units of government to acquire and/or develop public outdoor recreation areas. 

The Youth Homelessness System Improvement Illinois Prevention Pilot aims to amplify the voices of youth and young adults (ages 18-24) in state governance while addressing youth homelessness. This initiative focuses on enhancing discharge planning, establishing partnerships with community organizations, improving assessment systems, and ensuring equitable responses to youth homelessness. By prioritizing youth leadership and collaboration, the program seeks to create sustainable solutions for at-risk youth, particularly those facing unique challenges such as being pregnant, parenting, or identifying as LGBTQIA.

Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation

The Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation (ILCHF) has a single vision that: every child in Illinois grows up healthy. Working with grantee partners across the state, ILCHF focuses its grant making on identifying and funding solutions to address the barriers that prevent children from accessing the ongoing healthcare they need, with a primary focus on children’s oral health and mental health.

ILCHF was created in December 2002 through an action of then-Attorney General Jim Ryan and an Illinois insurance carrier. This action and a settlement of approximately $125 million established Illinois’ only statewide private foundation focused solely on the health needs of children. Since inception, ILCHF has awarded approximately $149 million in nearly 900 grants to more than 300 organizations across the state.

“Bright Minds, Bright Smiles”: Mental and Oral Health Integration Initiative

The Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation (ILCHF) seeks to provide 20 three-year grants of up to $300,000 each (for a total investment of $6,000,000) to eligible children’s safety-net organizations that are sustaining and enhancing the coordination of existing children’s mental health or oral health services for Illinois children from vulnerable communities.

Examples of eligible projects include, but are not limited to, sustaining direct service provision to children, strengthening care coordination, enhancing referral networks, expanding co-located services in community settings, and building capacity to better serve children enrolled in Medicaid.

ILCHF is proud to support organizations working to strengthen the children’s healthcare safety net across Illinois and ensure that every child in Illinois grows up healthy.

The MRC/SOT Young Investigator Award, presented by the Society of Toxicology, recognizes outstanding undergraduate and graduate research proposals at the MRC/SOT Spring meeting. Eligible students submit proposals alongside a reference letter. Awardees present their research at the Annual Meeting and receive funding to support their educational endeavors in toxicology, including travel to conferences and research-related expenses. This initiative promotes educational growth and scientific advancement in the field of toxicology.

The Express Health Information Outreach Awards aim to enhance public health by increasing access to biomedical information for U.S. health professionals and the general public. These awards support projects that improve health information literacy among consumers and caregivers, ensuring they can effectively find and utilize health information. Focused on partnerships and outreach to underrepresented communities, the initiative seeks to promote healthy behaviors, prevent illness, and improve health outcomes through informed decision-making.

The Berdach Trust Grant, established by Otto P. Berdach, aims to support organizations providing financial assistance to individuals in need, particularly when public welfare is insufficient. Operating primarily in Illinois and California, especially the Long Beach area, the trust focuses on health, human services, and public benefit programs. Grants are directed exclusively for direct financial aid, not for administrative costs, ensuring that assistance reaches those in genuine financial distress.