Search Through Grants for Capital Funding in Illinois in the U.S.

We care about the communities in which we live and work. Amcor Cares (formerly the Bemis Company Foundation) was founded as our principal tool in the United States to serve our Amcor Flexibles communities. From volunteer work to monetary donations and community support, Amcor Cares donates several million per year to charitable organizations.

Community Support Grants

Encourage

• Fighting Hunger & Homelessness
• Supporting Disaster Relief

Empower

• Expanding STEM Education
• Building Life Skills
• Improving Health & Wellness

Elevate

• Promoting Arts & Culture
• Funding Amcor Scholarships

Types of support:

• Non-profit Organization Programs
• Non-profit Organization Operating Support
• Capital Campaigns
• STEM Programs

Community Involvement Program Guidelines

We believe that the well-being of our communities has a direct bearing on the success of Hallmark and our employees.

The mission of our Community Involvement Program is simple. We want to help create communities where:

• All children have the chance to grow up as healthy, productive and caring persons;
• Vibrant arts and cultural experiences enrich the lives of all citizens;
• There is a strong infrastructure of basic institutions and services, especially for persons in need; and
• All citizens feel a responsibility to serve their community.

Organizations that serve the communities where we operate facilities and that share this same mission may apply for the following types of support from Hallmark:

• Cash contributions for specific programs, capital improvements and, in some cases, operating support.
• Volunteer assistance. Organizations may request assistance in recruiting Hallmark employees for board membership, program services and other meaningful volunteer experiences. We cannot guarantee that Hallmark employees will agree to volunteer; volunteering is an individual, personal decision made by each employee.
• Product donations.
• Fundraising event sponsorship for organizations based in Kansas City only.

Cash contributions are provided by both Hallmark Cards, Inc., and the Hallmark Corporate Foundation, an endowed foundation funded solely by Hallmark. Although there are some legal restrictions on how funds from the Hallmark Corporate Foundation may be used, the Foundation supports the same mission and employs the same online application process.

The Jeffris Family Foundation invites applications for grants from the Jeffris Heartland Fund, to support the development of important historic preservation projects in the states of Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin.The decision to pursue a grant from the Jeffris Heartland Fund must be made in consultation with a Director of the Foundation to discuss your project and request a Jeffris Heartland Fund application form.Directors can also assist grant-seekers with the application process, provide related technical assistance to guide wise and constructive use of the grant funding, and administer grants once awarded. Applications, once invited, are accepted at any time.  Award notices are issued within approximately 30 days of receipt of the application.Grants will be made in the range of $5,000 to $50,000 to cover 50% the cost of an Historic Structure Report, and must be matched dollar-for-dollar with cash from sources unrelated to the Jeffris Family.

Historic Significance of the Site

• Priority will be given to sites of documented national and then state historic significance. Sites with local significance only will not be eligible for funding.
• Priority will be given to sites associated with prominent figures of national, regional, or statewide importance, or with events of national, regional, or statewide significance.
• Priority will be given to sites with significant architectural merit, including association with designers of national, regional, or statewide importance.
• Priority will be given to sites with strong elements of the decorative arts.
• Priority will be given to projects involving historic resources that are extremely rare and/or unique.
• Priority will be given to projects with a high degree of historic integrity, and to work relating to the restoration of original elements. While work to accommodate contemporary usage is acceptable, all work on the property must conform to The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.

Proposed Project and Plan

• Priority will be given to applicants that can best demonstrate that a Historic Structure Report or other detailed planning study for which funding is being requested is critical to the accurate and appropriate restoration of the property.
• Priority will be given to applicants that can best demonstrate their intended use will be financially viable and operationally sustainable over time.
• Priority will be given to applicants that can assure that the project will fully comply with The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties through review and oversight by a local historic preservation commission, state historic preservation office, or preservation consultants thoroughly familiar and experienced with those standards.

 Organizational Excellence

• Priority will be given to applicants who can demonstrate a pattern of programming and services connected to the site and their stated mission (e.g. educational programs, events, hospitality).
• Priority will be given to applicants who demonstrate a broad base of membership and community support.
• Priority will be given to applicants with demonstrated success in past capital fundraising efforts.

Illinois Works Pre-apprenticeship Program (IL)

Notice of Funding Opportunity Intent

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (the “Department” or “DCEO”) is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) to expand the Illinois Works Pre-apprenticeship Program. The Illinois Works Pre- Apprenticeship Program is administered by the Department's Office of Illinois Works.

The goal of the Illinois Works Act is to ensure that all Illinois residents have access to State capital projects and careers in the construction industry and building trades, as well as provide contracting and employment opportunities to historically underrepresented populations in the construction industry and the trades. The Illinois Works Pre-apprenticeship NOFO and program is a critical component in the success of the Act, by increasing the number of qualified construction and building trades apprentices who are women, people of color, veterans or from otherwise underrepresented populations (as defined by the Illinois Works Jobs Program Act) and preparing them to enter full apprenticeship programs on their way to careers in construction and the building trades.

This NOFO is focused, although not exclusively, on awarding grants in geographic areas where the Office of Illinois Works does not presently have pre-apprenticeship programs and to increase the representation of underrepresented groups that presently are not served or are underserved by existing programs including individuals of Asian descent, Veterans, and Women, among others.

Funding

• Award Range - $150000 - $550000
• Anticipated Number of Awards - 35

Community Needs Grants

The DeKalb County Community Foundation’s Community Needs Grant program supports requests for capital assets or equipment associated with various projects, renovations of existing facilities, and services throughout DeKalb County, Illinois.

Funding Areas

The Community Foundation provides Community Needs Grants in the following areas:

• Arts and Culture – Supports organizations that provide opportunities for access, participation, education, awareness, and appreciation for a variety of arts and cultural experiences.
• Community Development – Supports organizations that focus broadly on strengthening, protecting, unifying, and building the economic, cultural, and social services of a community.
• Education – Supports organizations that provide educational opportunities from birth to adulthood.
• Environment and Animal Welfare – Supports organizations whose primary purpose is to preserve, protect, conserve, and improve the environment. Animal Welfare supports organizations that promote the well-being of animals.
• Health and Human Services – Supports organizations that provide essential programs and services addressing basic human needs to children, youth, adults, and senior citizens, and/or promoting physical and mental health.

Funding

The maximum amount that can be requested in an application is $20,000.

Discretionary Grant Program

The discretionary grantmaking program supports the work of nonprofits within our service area (Kane and Kendall counties) in the following designated charitable categories:

• Arts and Humanities,
• Education,
• Health Care, and
• Social Services.

These grants are for capital purposes only. Agencies should be “project ready” with estimates and a timeline for completion within the next year.

Grants are ordinarily made for one year only. In light of the Community Foundation’s limited resources and in fairness to the many organizations seeking support, former grant recipients are asked to wait at least two full years from the date they received payment of a grant from the Community Foundation before applying for a new grant.

Funding

Over the past five years, the average grant size is approximately $12,000. The size of grants awarded ranges primarily between $2,500 and $20,000.

It is not suggested that you apply for a grant beyond this range. Grants are rarely awarded over $20,000. If you have a project or would like to discuss a grant request that does not fall within this range, please contact Cathy about it prior to submitting a Letter of Intent.

Preserve Route 66 Grant Fund

The most enduring highway in our public consciousness, Route 66 represents a unique moment in history that continues to define the nation’s identity: the rise of the automobile and its implications of freedom, mobility, and a quintessential American story. Grants from this fund will help preserve and enhance historic places on or connected to Route 66 for future generations.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Preserve Route 66 Grant Fund provides financial support to public agencies, tribal governments or nonprofit organizations to preserve and interpret historic places along the Route 66 corridor. The National Trust has a special interest in illuminating the narratives of communities whose places and stories have been historically underrepresented, which may include communities and neighborhoods along the Route 66 corridor associated with People of Color (including but not limited to indigenous peoples, Latinx, Black Americans and others), women, immigrants, LGBTQIA communities, veterans, and economically distressed communities.

Grants made from the Preserve Route 66 Fund will generally range from $2,500 to $10,000.

Illinois Racing Board Charity Grant

For more than 30 years, the Illinois Racing Board Charity Fund Program has provided more than $26 million for medical, dental, family, counseling, and other services (“Wellness Services”) to persons who reside or work on the backstretch of Illinois’ pari-mutuel race tracks. The State of Illinois’ Illinois Racing Board (“IRB”) is the only racing jurisdiction in the United States that has this type of program. Specifically, Section 31.1 of the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975 (“Racing Act”) requires organization licensees (a/k/a race tracks) collectively to contribute annually to charity the sum of $750,000 to non-profit organizations that provide Wellness Services to persons who reside or work on the backstretch of Illinois’ pari-mutuel race tracks. Workers care for the wellbeing of the equine athletes participating in the live race meets.

OBJECTIVES & GOALS

• To provide Wellness Services on site at all Illinois pari-mutuel race tracks to fulfill the needs of the persons who reside or work on the backstretch of Illinois’ pari-mutuel race tracks.
• To maximize the overall number of backstretch residents and workers being treated and provided Wellness Services while limiting non-treatment expenses.
• To assist backstretch residents and workers in receiving timely, adequate, and necessary Wellness Services to continue employment on the backstretch with the least amount of inconvenience and disruption to such persons and Illinois horse racing.

FUNDING INFORMATION

• The IRB Charity Fund Program is a state-funded program [230 ILCS 5/31.1].
• For calendar year 2024, the IRB anticipates the availability of approximately $767,193 in total funds.
• The anticipated number of State awards will be one (1), with average awards ranging from $0 to $767,193.40.
• The grant period will begin January 1, 2024, and will end on December 31, 2024; provided, however, the IRB may include 2 “one-year” renewal terms and execution of a new Uniform State Grant Agreement for each renewal term.
• The release of this NOFO does not obligate the IRB to make an award. Services may not be provided until a Uniform State Grant Agreement is fully executed.
• All grants are subject to the terms of the Illinois Grant Funds Recovery Act [30 ILCS 705].
• The grant program may provide up to a maximum of 100% funding assistance on total approved project costs.
• No IRB Charity Fund Program funds shall be used for construction that is not an expansion of an already existing program facility or included in applicant’s application; provided, however, prior written approval of the IRB is required for any capital construction expenditures.
• Rules and regulations are enforced limiting the use of funds for their intended purpose of the program via audit, reporting, on-site reviews, and monitored on a quarterly basis.
• Specific contract deliverables and expenditures of grant funds shall also adhere to the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (“Uniform Guidance”), Title 2 CFR 200, as applicable.
• Although this program is not funded through federal funds, the State of Illinois has adopted the Uniform Guidance as the standard for funds distributed through State of Illinois agencies.
• Applicant must submit a project plan which supports the level of funding and details how the award will be executed by the applicant.
• The project plan must include necessary detail to enable the IRB to manage the grant agreement activity against planned project performance.

Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation’s mission is to "cultivate philanthropy to build better communities." We carry out this mission by helping individuals, families and organizations make permanent charitable investments for the long-term benefit of their hometowns. We believe that everyone has the opportunity to become a philanthropist and we work one-on-one with donors to ensure that their charitable goals are met. We invite you to learn more about how we are serving the people of southeastern Illinois and hope you are inspired by the work of our governing board, donors, and professional advisors who are making a difference in our communities.

Fall Cycle: Consolidated Communications Fund for Economic Development and Community Leadership 

The shareholders, managers, and employees of Consolidated Communications value their connection to the communities in which they live and in which the company does business. We know our lives are greatly enhanced by the good works of many men and women working on staff or as volunteers with the community and nonprofit organizations. As well, our community is made more vibrant by the creativity and effort of those working across sectors, as entrepreneurs or educators, to drive a vibrant, local economy. Nonprofit organizations that support the efforts of these community leaders are frequently undercapitalized and often lack the financial resources or the human capital – but not the potential – to build truly great institutions and communities. This Fund has been created to recognize their good works and to provide incentives to achieve the fullest community potential.

Mission and Grant Areas: Economic Development and Community Leadership

Regional Site Readiness Program-Capital Ready (NOFO) (IL)

Notice of Funding Opportunity Intent

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (the “Department” or “DCEO”) is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) to support infrastructure and other capital improvements on sites across the state to advance site readiness of properties with industrial and manufacturing economic development potential.

Program Description

The Regional Site Readiness Program aims to better prepare sites for industrial development in all 10 Economic Development Regions in the state.

Input from community leaders and economic development experts has raised the need for flexible funding to support infrastructure and other capital improvements related to preparing sites for future development.

Purpose of the Program

• To support communities and landowners in their site readiness capital improvements
• To address financial barriers to construct infrastructure needed to make a site more readily developable
• To increase the number of sites ready for future industrial site development
• To better prepare sites in all 10 Economic Development Regions for future development

Funding

This grant program is utilizing state capital funds consistent with the purpose of this initiative appropriated by the Illinois General Assembly. Total amount of funding expected to be awarded through this NOFO is $40,000,000. Awards will range $250,000 to $3,000,000. The Department expects to make up to 24 awards though this NOFO.

About the Foundation

The Kjellstrom Family Foundation was established in 2004 and sustains Janet's memory and philanthropy. With assets over $10M, the foundation contributes over $600,000 annually to local charities.

The Kjellstrom Family Foundation seeks to be flexible for grantees seeking award opportunities. Currently the Foundation will award grants which might be classified as:

• Programmatic
• Capital expenditures, or
• General administration or overhead
• Capacity Building

Challenge Grants

The Foundation will award challenge grants for endowment or capital expenditures. The Trustees have agreed to allocate no more than one-fourth of the annual grant guideline to fund these opportunities.

The organization defines the terms and time frame, with the challenge grant funds being awarded when the match is achieved. (i.e. match ratio of $2 raised to $1 challenge grant, etc.)

The Foundation will also consider grants which would serve as matching funds to a challenge grant. (The Foundation will not match funds toward meeting a Community Foundation Carroll H. Starr Endowment Challenge.) Particularly, the Foundation would be inclined to consider a match to challenge grants issued by an out-of-community entity or person.

Capacity Building

Capacity building grants help leverage other funding, create or sustain better systems or processes, build partnerships or efficiencies and/or enhance knowledge for improved operations or governance. Through KFF's collaborative partner, the Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence, capacity building supports can strengthen organizational systems and build competence and professionalism. Examples of fundable capacity building supports include: board and staff development, strategic action planning, fund development planning, mergers, collaborations, technology, marketing/communications, etc.

Funding

In general, individual grants will not exceed $40,000. Grant awards which match a challenge from an out-of-community entity or person will not exceed $25,000. On the other hand, the Foundation may issue challenge grants for endowment or capital expenditures in an amount not to exceed $50,000.

About the Foundation

The Kjellstrom Family Foundation was established in 2004 and sustains Janet's memory and philanthropy. With assets over $10M, the foundation contributes over $600,000 annually to local charities.

The Kjellstrom Family Foundation seeks to be flexible for grantees seeking award opportunities. Currently the Foundation will award grants which might be classified as:

• Programmatic
• Capital expenditures, or
• General administration or overhead
• Capacity Building

Interim Grants for Emergent Matters

The Foundation will consider emergent grant commitments outside of the specified grant cycle. The organization seeking the commitment should contact the Lead Trustee.

Grantmaking

The great majority of grants are given to organizations located in, and for projects to be conducted within, the state of Iowa and portions of Illinois, as well as to other organizations in which Mr. Carver had an interest during his lifetime. Generally speaking, the Carver Trust supports biomedical and scientific research, scholarships, and programs addressing the educational and recreational needs of youth. 

Program Areas

Elementary and Secondary Education

Supporting educational opportunities for youth, beginning with kindergarten and continuing through high school graduation, is a cornerstone of Carver Trust giving. Grant-making activities in this area may be divided into three, broad categories, each with the goal of enhancing access to resources and the application of innovative approaches to teaching and learning. Read more about this program area.

Higher Education

The Trust’s interests in the area of higher education extend to those projects that strengthen institutions and offer innovative learning opportunities to students enrolled in baccalaureate and graduate programs throughout the grant-making region of Iowa and parts of Illinois. Typically, funding is awarded to capital or programmatic initiatives that seek to substantively improve instruction or increase access to educational resources, with the goal of better preparing students for future academic and professional challenges. Projects incorporating interdisciplinary approaches and demonstrating the potential for lasting impact among a diverse range of students are especially encouraged. Read more about this program area.

Medical and Scientific Research

The goal of the Trust’s program in medical and scientific research is to provide support for innovative investigation that may hold great promise for advancing scientific knowledge and, in many cases, improving human health. To this end, the Trust has supported a variety of university-based scientific endeavors, most notably in the basic medical sciences, the chemical and biological sciences, and engineering. Although a majority of funding is awarded for the purpose of addressing institutional capital needs, a parallel focus of this program area is the research efforts of particular laboratories, often emphasizing multidisciplinary approaches and encouraging the development of untried, and inherently risky, specific aims. Read more about this program area.

Youth Services and Recreation

Projects receiving Trust funding under the youth program designation are typically designed to complement curriculum-based education and encourage individual development and physical well-being. Of the grants awarded within this category, a significant portion has been directed toward the efforts of organizations advocating for disadvantaged and disabled youth and their families. As an example, improving the conditions at adolescent residential facilities in Iowa, including those that offer opportunities for special-needs populations, has represented an important area of Trust charitable giving around the state.

In addition, grants to help communities establish safe and affordable recreation opportunities are also part of the youth-directed programming. The Trust offers strategic funding for the development of public recreation facilities and related activities for children, with priority given to projects in the Iowa counties of Muscatine, Cedar, Louisa and Scott, as well as Rock Island and Mercer Counties in Illinois. More information on the youth recreation program area may be found under Trust Initiated Programming & Guidelines.

Miscellaneous

Grants listed under this designation are those that, for various reasons, do not fall within the Trust’s primary program classifications. Many grants classified as miscellaneous are for projects receiving special consideration for their direct impact on the local Muscatine region.

Awards in this category of Trust giving may, for example, provide support to organizations mobilizing to help area residents following a natural disaster or emergency, such as flooding or storm damage. Other assistance of this type has been directed to local first-responder and law enforcement agencies, which have received occasional support for specialized medical, firefighting and policing equipment, as well as situations whereby certain area nonprofits are seeking one-time support for urgent capital or programming needs.

Still other miscellaneous grants celebrate special events and aspects of Muscatine and its history, as well as organizations and projects that share a unique connection to the life and interests of Roy Carver. Additionally, occasional grants in this program area may serve to emphasize important natural resources throughout the local area and the upper Mississippi River region, with a focus on projects that help to guide children and youth toward a deeper understanding of, and respect for, the ecosystem and surrounding environment.

Illinois Energy Transition Navigators Program (CEJA) (IL)

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (the “Department” or “DCEO”) is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) to support the Illinois Energy Transition Navigators Program. The goal is to establish a network of community-based providers across the state of Illinois. These providers will offer community education, outreach, and recruitment services to encourage eligible individuals to participate in clean energy workforce and contractor development programs.

The Energy Transition Navigators Program will provide outreach and recruitment for the CEJA workforce and contractor programs. The Department seeks to contract with the community-based provider(s) (“Navigator Teams”) to connect people to the CEJA workforce and contractor programs. Navigator Teams will provide outreach and recruitment services to eligible populations to ensure they are aware of and engaged in the statewide and local workforce and contractor development programs.

Navigator Teams will prioritize individuals eligible for the following programs:

• Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program (20 ILCS 730/5-20) - Creates 13 workforce hubs run by community-based organizations to provide clean jobs training and a career pipeline for eligible participants.
• Illinois Climate Works Pre-apprenticeship Program (20 ILCS 730/5-40) - Creates 3 preapprenticeship centers to train equity investment eligible individuals for careers in clean energy sector construction and building trades.

To ensure that people are fully able to participate in these two workforce programs, Navigator Teams will assist eligible individuals in accessing Energy Transition Barrier Reduction Program services (20 ILCS 730/5-30), including tools, mentoring, travel stipends, work clothes, certifications, childcare, and other support services. These services will be offered through the Climate Jobs Workforce Network and the Illinois Climate Works Pre-apprenticeship Programs. 

Additionally, Navigator Teams will engage eligible individuals to participate in the following programs:

• Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Program (20 ILCS 730/5-45) - Creates regional contractor incubators to provide training, mentorship, low-cost capital, business planning, low-interest loans, and recruitment opportunities for small clean energy businesses and contractors.
• Clean Energy Primes Contractor Accelerator Program (20 ILCS 730/5-55) - A program for contractors seeking to expand their capacity and fill the role of the prime contractor on clean energy projects through a structured five-year program with mentorship, operation support grants, business coaching, assistance applying for certifications, procurement programs, and preparing bids

Funding

$200000 - $500000

History & Mission

The Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust is a private foundation focused on preventing cruelty to animals and promoting the humane treatment of animals, particularly companion animals such as dogs and cats, and other species of animals commonly kept as household pets.  The Foundation also supports efforts to protect the well-being of urban-suburban wildlife, captive exotic wildlife, farmed animals, working animals, and non-human animals generally.  It extends in perpetuity the generosity toward animals in need shown by Kenneth Allen Scott during his lifetime, assisting those who care for them today.

Giving Strategy

The Foundation has two deadlines each year for proposals for Ohio/Great Lake Region Grants, depending on project topic. You may apply for one round or the other, and request funding for only one project in your proposal.

Ohio and Other Great Lakes Grants

The Foundation devotes most of its resources to grants for organizations in Ohio and portions of the other seven states in the Great Lakes watershed (including IL, IN, MI, WI, Western PA, Upstate NY, and Northeastern MN), reflecting the origin of Mr. Scott’s assets. We seek innovative, cost-effective projects that demonstrate our region’s commitment to improving the well-being of animals, especially those in underserved areas or belonging to disadvantaged social groups. We prefer initiatives that are metropolitan, multi-county, statewide or regional or involve collaborations among multiple agencies. Requests from small organizations with localized impact are less likely to be funded. Successful applicants will pursue a high quality of life for individual animals and improve the situation of significant numbers of animals.

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

• projects to increase successful adoptions or other non-capital means of expanding shelter capacity.

Continuing Education & Training

• opportunities for staff and volunteers to improve delivery of care and retain employees.

Humane & Wildlife Education

• school and community programs that address respecting animals, humane care, health issues and human/wildlife conflicts. 

Equitable Energy Future Grant Program

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity to provide seed funding and pre-development funding opportunities to eligible contractors to support the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects benefitting businesses, community organizations, and the workforce in historically disadvantaged communities. The grant program is designed to help remove barriers to project, community and business development caused by lack of capital.

Funding

Award Range - $250000 - $1000000

Background

McGraw Foundation, headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois, makes annual grants to not-for-profit organizations.  The Foundation’s areas of interest involve the fields of conservation, educational programs at all levels, and human services. Occasionally, grants are made in other areas such as health, medical research and cultural.

Grant requests are suggested to be within a range of $2,000 to $10,000. Grant recipients and amounts will be determined by several criteria. Naturally, availability of funds is a key factor.

The Foundation will occasionally make large grants ($25,000 or more) to support unusually promising efforts in any of its areas of interest. Innovative research, special education, and/or other activities will be considered if the Foundation’s support would assist an effort or a project in making a significant impact.

Areas of Focus

Education: Higher

The Foundation has been a pioneer in support of environmental education at the highest level by establishing three chaired professorships. 

Education: Elementary & Special

McGraw Foundation supports a wide array of organizations that focus on assisting the education and advancement of children as well as adults. McGraw Foundation also makes grants to elementary schools and organizations involved in all areas of special needs education. Funding in this arena has encompassed many organizations that provide services such as after-school tutoring, special education, and adult literacy.

In addition to F.A.I.T.H., McGraw Foundation also makes grants to elementary schools and organizations involved in all areas of special needs education. Funding in this arena has encompassed many organizations that provide services such as after-school tutoring, special education, and adult literacy.

Human Services

Since 1949, McGraw Foundation has been concerned with helping people in need. While the emphasis is on organizations serving children, funding also extends to people of all ages.

Children's issues such as these have been supported throughout the years:

• child welfare
• foster care and adoption
• family counseling
• enriching summer camps
• crisis intervention

Funding for quality-of-life issues for people of all ages has included:

• developmental disabilities
• health clinics
• domestic violence
• housing and homelessness
• job training and continued support
• seniors needs

Health & Medical 

Since its inception, McGraw Foundation has made grants in the health and medical fields.  Health and medical funding has included:

• specific medical research
• rehabilitation
• support programs for patients and their families
• medical attention for people without health insurance
• palliative care and hospice organizations

Civic & Cultural

Complimenting it's main focus on education and the environment, McGraw Foundation has supported some of Chicago's distinctive cultural and arts organizations.

Areas of interest include zoological societies' animal conservation, public communication, musical organizations, and civic organizations' promotion of science and the general welfare of society.

Background

The Habitat grant program provides funding to preserve essential habitat; protect, restore, and stabilize important fish habitats; and increase habitat availability. The GLFT pursues these efforts through investments in specific places with a degraded or vulnerable habitat, connectivity enhancements, and use of decision-support tools that suggest optimal strategies for investing in habitat. The RFP is planned for release annually in the winter.

The GLFT prioritizes its investments in capital projects such as fish passage, dam removal, and land acquisition to projects where the habitat opportunity is prime, other funders are contributing, long-term management is assured, and the proposed project has the strongest community support and interest.

Funding Priorities

The Trust’s priorities for the Habitat Protection and Restoration grant category are:

• Projects that offer an increase in long-term, sustainable, natural reproduction for species now supported by hatchery production—project benefits should be targeted toward salmonids and nonsalmonid predator game species.
• Projects that offer secondary benefits—for example, improved sea lamprey management or protection of state-listed threatened or endangered species—may be supported at a greater funding level.
• Applicants that use the Great Lakes Aquatic Habitat Framework (GLAHF), the Great Lakes Fishery Commission Barrier Removal Collaboration Suite, Fishwerks, existing field inventories, or similar tools to identify appropriate projects or as part of their proposed scopes of work.

Section 5310 Program

The Section 5310 – Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities is part of the Competitive Programs that East-West Gateway Council of Governments (EWG) administers. Section 5310 projects, like all federally funded transportation projects, are included in the Transportation Improvement Program that EWG develops for the St. Louis region. The Section 5310 program provides federal funding to improve mobility for seniors and people with disabilities. Certain portions of the St. Louis region are in the St. Louis, MO-IL Urbanized Area (St. Louis UZA).

The St. Louis UZA is a large urbanized area and must have a public entity that is designated as the recipient of Section 5310 funding. EWG, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), and Bi-State Development are the co-designated recipients of Section 5310 funding for the St. Louis UZA.

Construction and/or Renovation to Buildings, Additions, or Structures

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NoFO) sets forth the requirement of the State Fiscal Year 2025 (SFY25) Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Grants Management Initiative. DCEO administers grant programs designed for capital improvements as defined within the annual appropriation bill (Public Act 103-0589) set forth by the Illinois General Assembly.

The goal of this program is to improve the quality of life of Illinoisans. The intent of this grant is to fund capital improvements to a facility located on the South side of Chicago and/or the neighboring suburbs. The funded project must meet bondable requirements as set forth in 30 ILCS 425 The Build Illinois Bond Act.

The successful grantee will be required to report on the expenditure of funds and the specific improvements rendered as a result of this funding. Using the Periodic Financial Report (PFR) and Periodic Performance Report (PPR) templates, and providing all required detailed supporting information including the expense tracking spreadsheet (ledger), grantees must be able to relate financial data to performance accomplishment that support DCEO’s mission to improve the quality of life for Illinoisans.

Funding Information

This grant program is utilizing state funds appropriated by the Illinois General Assembly as indicated in Public Act 103-0589.

The total amount of grant funds for this award is $2,500,000.

Applicants must submit a project narrative that describes in detail the proposed project activities (i.e., how the applicant intends to execute the award). The project narrative should include enough information for DCEO to understand the scope of the project, including a detailed breakdown of the costs associated with each utilized budget line and any additional necessary detail to enable DCEO to manage the grant agreement activity against planned project performance. A detailed breakdown of tasks and an estimated project timeline are also required. The Project Narrative must include evidence of need, capacity, economic impact, need, and quality as defined in Section E.1.

Agreement(s) and budget(s) with subrecipients and subcontractors must be pre-approved by and on file with DCEO. Such agreements can be submitted to DCEO when available. Subcontractors and sub-recipients are subject to all applicable provisions of the Agreement(s) executed between DCEO and the grantee. The successful applicant shall retain sole responsibility for the performance of its subrecipient(s) and/or subcontractor(s).

What does this program do?

This program is designed to provide technical assistance and training for small rural businesses. Small means that the business has fewer than 50 new workers and less than $1 million in gross revenue.

What is an eligible area?

Rural Business Development Grant money must be used for projects that benefit rural areas or towns outside the urbanized periphery of any city with a population of 50,000 or more. Check eligible areas.

What kind of funding is available?

There is no maximum grant amount; however, smaller requests are given higher priority. There is no cost sharing requirement. Opportunity grants are limited to up to 10 percent of the total Rural Business Development Grant annual funding.

How may funds be used?

Enterprise grants must be used on projects to benefit small and emerging businesses in rural areas as specified in the grant application. Uses may include:

• Training and technical assistance, such as project planning, business counseling and training, market research, feasibility studies, professional or/technical reports or producer service improvements.
• Acquisition or development of land, easements, or rights of way; construction, conversion, renovation of buildings; plants, machinery, equipment, access for streets and roads; parking areas and utilities.
• Pollution control and abatement.
• The capitalization of revolving loan funds, including funds that will make loans for start-ups and working capital.
• Distance adult learning for job training and advancement.
• Rural transportation improvement.
• Community economic development.
• Technology-based economic development.
• Feasibility studies and business plans.
• Leadership and entrepreneur training.
• Rural business incubators.
• Long-term business strategic planning.

Opportunity grants can be used for:

• Community economic development.
• Technology-based economic development.
• Feasibility studies and business plans.
• Leadership and entrepreneur training.
• Rural business incubators.
• Long-term business strategic planning.

 Communityworks Grant Competition

The Community Foundation of Kankakee River Valley’s mission is to build endowment funds for our region over time, and it strives to bring together individuals and organizations to assess community needs, to build greater endowment funds, to convene area leaders around important issues, and to distribute grant awards to worthy nonprofit organizations. The Foundation also serves as a neutral leader with no direct affiliation with any group, religion, political or governmental entity.

The goal of the Community Foundation is to improve the quality of life in both greater Kankakee and Iroquois Counties by supporting initiatives that are not currently being adequately funded. Grants awarded by the Community Foundation originate from income generated by our Communityworks Endowment Fund, a visionary initiative to help the Community Foundation build endowments for making grant awards, particularly in the following focus areas:

• Early Childhood Education
• Land Use & Protection
• Workforce Development

Grant-funded recipients of the Communityworks Endowment Fund are encouraged to address one or more of the above-identified focus areas and to make it publicly apparent how it is accomplished. 

Focus Areas

Early Childhood Education

• The community has determined that the Community Foundation can have the greatest impact on Early Childhood Education (birth to age 8) by supporting:
• The improvement of the quality of child care;
• The support for parent education;
• The improvement of the quality and accessibility of early childhood education services, and
• The improvement of opportunities to access children’s mental health services.
• More specifically the Community Foundation seeks to:
• Land Use & Protection

The community has determined that the Community Foundation can have the greatest impact in these areas by:

Workforce Development

Our area’s communities have determined that the Community Foundation can have significant impact by supporting:

• Increased work opportunities for unemployed/underemployed youth through collaboration with the Workforce Board and other governmental and community-based organizations.
• Youth programs that prepare entry-level employment through the development of soft skills and work experience.

More specifically the Community Foundation seeks to:

• Increase Work Opportunities for unemployed/underemployed community youth through collaboration with the Workforce Board and other governmental and community service providers via training partnerships, work experience, resource identification, workshops, surveys and other information-gathering efforts as well as through coordinated partnerships for workforce development strategies, initiatives and sponsorships.
• Prepare youth for entry-level employment through the development and sponsorship of programs designed and implemented to prepare youth with employment soft skills, job-seeking and job-retaining skills and youth work experience. The Community Foundation also seeks to collaborate and coordinate efforts with appropriate community partners to seek external funding resources or to underwrite costs as well as to assure quality employment preparation of youth including supportive, on-the-job work experience and workplace expectations.

RFP: Together Fund (Local Business) – We Rise Together

Background

We Rise Together: For an Equitable & Just Recovery is a coalition of public and private funders and communities accelerating equity in the Chicago region’s economic recovery so everyone who lives here can reach their full potential. To catalyze an equitable economic recovery from the COVID recession, We Rise focuses on grantmaking and engagement in communities hardest hit by COVID and those that are a majority Black and Latine because they are the places and people disproportionately affected by the pandemic. 

Need/Opportunity Statement

In historically underserved, low-income neighborhoods across the Chicago area, mid-stage businesses and worker-owned cooperatives play a critical role in fostering economic vitality, creating jobs, and strengthening social connections. However, many of these businesses face persistent challenges in scaling their operations, securing the tools and resources necessary for growth, and effectively harnessing growth opportunities.  

We know that mid-stage businesses are uniquely positioned to drive inclusive economic growth. However, they often operate with constrained resources and limited access to the capital, vendors, and infrastructure needed to achieve their full potential. Similarly, worker-owned co-ops offer a powerful model for shared ownership and wealth-building, empowering employees with a direct stake in the success of their enterprises. Yet, co-ops face unique challenges in securing resources for infrastructure, awareness, and technical support, particularly in sectors like retail, manufacturing, and trucking that are traditionally underfunded. 

By moving resources directly to nonprofits working alongside these businesses, we aim to catalyze their ability to grow revenue, expand capacity, and invest in transformative initiatives like acquiring commercial spaces, adopting advanced tools, and strengthening their operational resilience. This RFP invites applications that present strategic approaches to strengthen these enterprises, supporting a sustainable recovery and fostering a resilient economic foundation across the region.

Goals & Outcomes

While this is a one-year grant, the activities supported through this funding should be designed to contribute to the broader, long-term goals of improving local economic resilience. Work completed during the grant period should build a strong foundation for continued progress toward the following goals:  

• By supporting business growth and cooperative development, projects should create stable job opportunities, increase local spending, and increase economic resilience within low-income neighborhoods. 
• Through cooperative models and local business growth, projects should promote shared wealth-building, economic autonomy, and the growth of the local economy. 
• Programs should enable businesses to scale effectively, increasing their capacity to serve and uplift their communities. 
• Measure changes in access to capital, financial literacy, and use of business management tools. 
• Track the number of new jobs created or maintained, particularly full-time roles with family-sustaining wages. 
• Monitor improvements in operational resilience, such as enhanced access to infrastructure, technology, or technical assistance.

While this is a one-year grant, the activities supported through this funding should be designed to contribute to the broader, long-term goals of improving local economic resilience. Work completed during the grant period should build a strong foundation for continued progress toward the following goals:  

• By supporting business growth and cooperative development, projects should create stable job opportunities, increase local spending, and increase economic resilience within low-income neighborhoods. 
• Through cooperative models and local business growth, projects should promote shared wealth-building, economic autonomy, and the growth of the local economy. 
• Programs should enable businesses to scale effectively, increasing their capacity to serve and uplift their communities. 
• Measure changes in access to capital, financial literacy, and use of business management tools. 
• Track the number of new jobs created or maintained, particularly full-time roles with family-sustaining wages. 

Monitor improvements in operational resilience, such as enhanced access to infrastructure, technology, or technical assistance. 

Outcomes include up to three of the following:

• Build Knowledge and Narrative 
• Improve Overall Financial Health 
• Increase Fundamental Business Finance Knowledge and Application 
• Strengthen Workforce 

Executive Summary: 

Community engagement builds "social capital" - social ties, networks, and support - which is associated with better community health and well-being. Everyone - parents, residents, youth, businesses, educators, healthcare institutions, law enforcement - has a role in creating healthier and safer communities for youth. Increasing the focus on delinquency and violence prevention will help improve a community's health, quality of life and prosperity, and increase the likelihood that youth lead productive lives.

Community engagement is a thoughtful approach to planning and the design of services. This includes input from interested community stakeholders throughout the process and thoughtful integration of racially and culturally informed tenets at each step of the process. One size does not fit all, so differentiated engagement helps to build trust and leads to success. Participatory decision-making can uncover and mobilize community assets, strengths, and resources that would have been otherwise overlooked. By building the capacity of the community, the vast wisdom of community residents empowers stakeholders to identify and solve their own issues within the community as they have expertise in their own experience, and the most at stake.

This funding opportunity utilizes community stakeholders and maximizes community resources through development of Area Project Boards and Community Committees. In an effort to strengthen communities and ensure youth reach their greatest potential, a systematic planning approach inclusive of public health principles will provide the framework for preventing violence and delinquency. A public health approach seeks to improve the health and safety of youth by addressing underlying risk factors and conditions that increase the likelihood of youth engagement in unhealthy or risky behaviors, including radicalized factors. Through the provision of primary, population-based and culturally informed prevention activities and strategies, youth can avoid negative consequences (i.e., school dropout, violent crimes, engagement in the juvenile justice system, substance use/addiction, pregnancy) and achieve better long-term outcomes (i.e., high school graduation, attending institutions of higher education/trade schools, employment).

The Gladys Brooks Foundation was created under the will of Gladys Brooks Thayer of New York. 

Its purpose is to provide for the intellectual, moral and physical welfare of the people of this country by establishing and  supporting non-profit libraries, educational institutions, hospitals and clinics.

Scope of Grants Considered

The Foundation will consider major grant applications for innovative projects in the fields of libraries, education, hospitals and clinics.

Grants for Libraries 

Grant applications will be considered generally for resource Endowments (print, film, electronic database, speakers/workshops) capital construction and innovative equipment. Projects fostering broader public access to global information sources utilizing collaborative efforts, pioneering technologies and equipment are encouraged.

Grants for Educational Institutions

Grant applications from universities, colleges and secondary schools will be considered generally for:

• educational endowments to fund scholarships based solely on educational achievements, leadership and academic ability of the student; 
• endowments to support fellowships and teaching chairs for educators who confine their activities primarily to classroom instruction in the liberal arts, mathematics and the sciences during the academic year;
• erection or endowment of buildings, wings or additions thereto of buildings, and equipment for educational purposes;
• capital equipment for educational purposes.

Grants for Hospitals & Clinics

Grant proposals from hospitals and clinics where the proposal addresses a new health need, an improvement in the quality of health care or reduced health costs with better patient outcomes will be considered generally for:

• endowments for programs;
• erection or endowment of buildings, wings of or additions to buildings;
• capital equipment.

Background

Since 1953, the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois has made more than $72,500,000 in grants and scholarships to nonprofits and students. This is possible through the generosity of CFNIL’s donors—individuals, families, and organizations committed to improving the region’s quality of life. Endowed gifts create reliable funding for current needs and future opportunities. That’s the power of endowment.

Some donors choose to support specific organizations, while others provide scholarship funding that helps students get to and through school. Some donors decide that they want their legacy gifts to address the challenges and opportunities of future generations. These endowed gifts support Community Grants, CFNIL’s largest and broadest grantmaking program.

CFNIL is pleased to continue its tradition of grantmaking with the fall Community Grants cycle. Community Grants are made in six Focus Areas: Arts & Humanities, Education, Health, Human Services, Sustainable Communities, and Youth & Families. Within Education, CFNIL’s strategy is to invest in complementary education and career pathways, and to support a regional education system that continually produces healthy and productive citizens. More information on Education Works is available here.

Proposals requesting more than $75,000 will be evaluated for their alignment with Education Works. The more you request, the greater scrutiny your proposal will receive.

Focus Areas

CFNIL accepts proposals in the following Focus Areas. Generally, 50% of CFNIL’s grants will be allocated for Education, while 10% will be for each of the following Focus Areas: Arts & Humanities, Health, Human Services, Sustainable Communities, and Youth & Families.

Arts & Humanities

Funding priorities are for those proposals that:

• Increase the availability and access to artistic and cultural experiences, especially those that represent the diversity of our community’s culture.
• Celebrate the region’s history and preserve historical integrity.

Education

Funding priorities are for those proposals that:

• Provide creative and systemic approaches to educational improvement.
• Support the education of current and future medical professionals.
• Fit under CFNIL’s Education Works grant strategy.

Health

Funding priorities are for those proposals that:

• Improve the quality of and access to health services.
• Support wellness.
• Conduct research to promote the health and well-being of our community.

Human Services

CFNIL funding priorities are for those proposals that:

• Serve the basic needs of individuals and families.
• Provide services to persons with disabilities, especially those that promote inclusion.

Sustainable Development

CFNIL funding priorities are for those proposals that:

• Promote neighborhood and economic development.
• Support efforts to ensure safety and access to quality, affordable housing.
• Preserve our natural environment, especially those projects that increase the region’s understanding and appreciation of the environment.

Youth & Families

CFNIL funding priorities are for those proposals that:

• Provide pathways to self-sufficiency.
• Strengthen families.
• Support intellectual, emotional, physical, and social development.

Multi-Year Grants

An organization can only apply for a multi-year grant if seeking funding for projects, programs, or events that align with the following criteria:

• Education Works.
• Medical education.
• Medical research.

Hubbell-Waterman Foundation Grant

Mission

The Hubbell-Waterman Foundation invests in the Quad Cities community by funding capital construction projects, program and initiatives grants, and operational expenses. Our three areas of focus are culture and the arts, social welfare, and education.

What we do Fund 

• Funding is awarded to support three areas of focus: culture and the arts, education, and social welfare. Within these areas, we provide support for: 
  • Capital campaigns and capital acquisitions, including construction and renovations.
  • Operational and/or program grants not to exceed three years resulting from the completion of a capital campaign grant.
  • Multi-year program grants not to exceed three years. Program grants may include general operating expense reimbursement.

Focus Areas

The foundation has three long-term funding priorities: 

• Culture and the Arts
  • Cultivating and supporting the visual and performing arts
  • Investing in landmark cultural institutions
  • Supporting new and innovative programs and initiatives that enrich our community
• Education
  • Supporting pre-K–12 education through:
    • After-school and summer programs
    • Creative learning initiatives
    • Life skills and career training
    • Environmental education with a focus on sustainability
  • Mental health programs for students and their families
• Social Welfare
  • Supporting programs that are accessible to individuals and families through:
    • At-risk and low-income family services
    • Food and nutrition support
    • Housing security
    • Immigrant and refugee community support
    • Physical and mental health services