Search Through Grants for Seniors in Illinois in the U.S.

Mission

The mission of the Hearst Foundations is to identify and fund outstanding nonprofits to ensure that people of all backgrounds in the United States can build healthy, productive and satisfying lives. Through its grantmaking, the Hearst Foundations support well-established nonprofit organizations that address significant issues within their major areas of focus—culture, education, health and social service—and that primarily serve large demographic and/or geographic constituencies. In each area of funding, the Foundations seek to identify those organizations achieving truly differentiated results relative to other organizations making similar efforts for similar populations. The Foundations also look for evidence of sustainability beyond their support.

Whether providing a scholarship to a deserving student, supporting a rural health clinic or bringing artists into schools so children can see firsthand the beauty of the arts, the Foundations’ focus is consistent: to help those in need, those underserved and those underrepresented in society. Since the Foundations were formed in the 1940s, the scale and capabilities of the grant making have changed, but the mission has not.

Culture Grant

The Hearst Foundations fund cultural institutions that offer meaningful programs in the arts and sciences, prioritizing those that enable engagement by young people and create a lasting and measurable impact. The Foundations also fund select programs nurturing and developing artistic talent. Supported organizations include arts schools, ballets, museums, operas, performing arts centers, symphonies and theaters.

Funding Priorities in Culture

In the recent past, 25% of total funding has been allocated to Culture. Organizations with budgets over $10 million have received 60% of the funding in Culture.

The Hearst Foundations are only able to fund approximately 25% of all grant requests, of which about 80% is directed to prior grantees and about 20% is targeted toward new grantees.

Types of Support

Program, capital and, on a limited basis, general and endowment support

About Us

The Thing 1∙2∙3 Foundation is a Private Foundation focused on meeting the needs of children. Founded in 1999 by Jim and Nancy Ruprecht, the name was inspired by Dr. Suess’ book, The Cat In the Hat. Their children quickly identified with the Cat’s two helpers, Thing 1 and Thing 2. When the Ruprechts’ started the Foundation focused on helping children, the name was a natural way to reflect their love for their children and a desire to help other children.

Mission

The Mission of the Thing 123 Foundation is to provide support and resources to people and organizations on the front line providing services and programs to improve and enhance children’s lives.   

Grant Program

The Thing 123 Foundation has partnered with the Elmhurst-Community Challenge Grant. The goal of this grant program is to encourage business and community leaders within Elmhurst and the other seven communities served by the pantry to actively join in the fight against hunger affecting our neighbors. This Grant will match donations made by Business, and Community organizations toward helping the EYFP build a new Community Food Pantry facility. The Foundation will match one dollar for every two dollars donated, with a maximum of $100,000 donated by the Foundation through this grant.

Why?

Hunger is a silent epidemic that affects too many people in our community - children, working parents and seniors. Hunger and the availability of nutritious food is a serious problem in our communities, whether we want to recognize it or not. You know someone who is hungry! Too many times our neighbors have to choose between food and gas, rent and medicine, with the result being they go hungry each day. For over 30 years, the Elmhurst-Yorkfield Food Pantry has been committed to helping people facing these choices, and continues to grow each year to meet the challenges of those in need.

• Hunger is not just a Chicago problem, or an inner city problem, or a rural problem. Talking with community leaders, school administrators, and church leaders, they are all keenly aware of that hunger is a problem in Elmhurst and the broader community.   
• Since 1999, the number of people living in poverty in the communities served by the Northern Illinois Food Banks has increased more than 50% to over 300,000 people, or 1 in 10 people in our communities.   
• The demand for EYFP’s services continues to grow. In just a little more than four years the number of clients served per month grew from 80 to 389.  
• Hunger affects all parts of our community, the elderly, children, and families.  
• The Pantry provides over 200,000 meals annually to our neighbors in Elmhurst and seven surrounding communities: Addison, Bensenville, Berkeley, Hillside, Lombard, and Oak Brook.

As one of the largest hunger relief organizations in Eastern DuPage County, the Elmhurst-Yorkfield Food Pantry has grown from a faith-based mission of the Yorkfield Presbyterian Church to an independent, community-based food pantry with a broad reach in the communities it serves. Even with the EYFP’s hard work, the present demands already exceed the help that can be provided through its current facility.  

Illinois Department of Aging

The mission of the Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA) 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.

The Department has an annual budget of over $1.6 billion and provides both federal and state funding to a network of community-based providers throughout the State of Illinois that provide services and supports to older adults to help them remain in their homes and communities. The Department also monitors the community-based providers that comprise the Aging Network to ensure high-quality and culturally appropriate services. IDoA administers the largest Home and Community-Based Service (HCBS) Medicaid waiver in the state, the Persons Who are Elderly Waiver. This waiver, also known as the Community Care Program (CCP), serves over 150,000 older adults age 60+ in the State of Illinois. Under CCP, eligible older adults may receive services such as in-home care, adult day service, emergency home response technology, and medication dispensing technology.

Foster Grandparent Program

Short Description

The purpose of the Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) is to provide limited income to seniors who are 55 years of age and older and the opportunity to serve as one-on-one tutors and mentors to many young people who have special needs in our schools. Forster Grandparents are role models, mentors, and friends to children with exceptional needs. FGP volunteers have developed a lifetime of skills, talents, experience and work ethic that makes them a valuable resource in their communities. Funds are to be used to meet the federal program matching requirement. Grantees are funded through the federal grant AmeriCorps Seniors. For 2024, 417 Foster Grandparents provided 423,819 volunteer hours of service and served 3,670 children.

Objective

Foster Grandparents serve 15 to 40 hours per week in locations including schools, hospitals, juvenile correctional institutions, daycare facilities or Head Start centers. Volunteers receive per-service orientation, training from the organization where they serve, supplemental accident and liability insurance, and meals while on duty. Volunteers who meet certain income guidelines also receive a small stipend.

Matching Requirements

To be a volunteer in the Foster Grandparents Program, you must:

• be at least 55 years of age;
• meet certain income eligibility requirements;
• love children; and
• be willing to volunteer 20 hours a week.

Gupta Family Foundation is a private, nonprofit foundation headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, USA. Our mission is to support organizations that provide focused intervention in the lives of people who have been disadvantaged in some way to help them become self-reliant. We take a very broad view of “disadvantage” to include anything that holds a person back from realizing their potential, such as poverty, physical or mental disability, social alienation, etc. The foundation also supports relief agencies that serve people affected by emergencies such as natural disasters.

The foundation evaluates and awards annual and multi-year grants ranging from $5,000 to over $250,000 (USD). Our focus is on funding smaller organizations all around the world that are led by individuals with a deep personal commitment to their missions. 

Our selection criteria include:

• Mission alignment
• The organization is run by the founder or, if not, by a successor who embodies the original inspiration, passion and commitment of the founder.
• At least 90% of grant monies reaches the intended beneficiaries.
• The organization is non-sectarian, i.e.,
  • It does not, directly or indirectly, support or condone the proselytization of any religion,
  • It is not supported by or affiliated to a religious organization.

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.

Emergency Senior Services (IL)

The Department is placing special emphasis on the use of ESS funds to assist older adults at risk of homelessness and those experiencing homelessness to provide supports and services aimed at ending homelessness and facilitating access to a permanent housing solution. Recent studies suggest that the number of older adults experiencing homelessness has not only increased but is expected to continue to rise owing to factors such as fixed income, complex medical needs, and lack of homelessness assistance (Henderson, Manion, & Rog, 2023). Illinois is experiencing a similar increase in older adults experiencing homelessness that presents an opportunity for IDoA and the Aging Network to assist the Illinois Office of Homelessness by ensuring these vital resources are utilized to help some of our most vulnerable older adults.

Considering the public health emergencies (PHE) ending on May 11, 2023, the Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA or Department) has evaluated and recognized the continued critical role the Emergency Senior Services (ESS) grant program has filled in providing participants with necessary gap-filling support services since inception in 2020. IDoA Care Coordination Units (CCUs) serve as grantees, as well as the primary gate keepers for receiving and processing referrals and ensuring the appropriate utilization of these funds to qualifying participants. The Department has prepared this updated guidance to assist Care Coordinators, Area Agencies on Aging, and Community Care Program (CCP) providers in continuing to utilize these critical services.

The Emergency Senior Services grant serves as a stabilization mechanism to assist seniors having limited resources to handle unexpected expenses and emergencies, as well as providing necessary gap-filling support to help prevent homelessness to enable seniors continue to reside in their homes and community-based settings. These funds are being appropriated to assist seniors who have exhausted all other resources and have limited income and assets to address these needs. Funds are meant to provide short-term assistance and are not meant to be utilized on an ongoing basis to provide support to participants or as a one-time yearly charitable gift. Examples of appropriate utilization scenarios include unexpected illness and health-related expenses, home repairs, maintenance, and modifications; as well as other unforeseen and necessary gap-filling expenses (i.e., non-covered medical and dental expenses, real estate assessments).

The goods and services purchased under ESS are available to assist with the unanticipated needs of any senior (age 60+) or APS client (age 18-59) who meets the following income criteria:

• Demonstrate an urgent financial need that is affecting the participant’s ability to remain in their current HCBS placement. Special emphasis on the use of ESS funds needs to be directed to the prevention of homelessness and assisting older adults who are homeless to access a permanent housing solution.
• Have readily accessible emergency funds no greater than $17,500 (e.g. – Savings, Checking, Insured Money Market Accounts, Certificates of Deposit, Stocks, and Bonds).
• Receive monthly income no greater than $3,500 for a single participant or $4,700 for a married couple.
• Requests for Exceptional Payment Requests (EPRs) for individuals that do not meet the above financial criteria should be sent via email for review and consideration.

Funding

• Award Ceiling - $900,000.00
• Award Floor - $30,000.00
• Expected Number of Awards - 60

Deaconess Foundation

Our Mission

In the spirit of our faith heritage, the mission of Deaconess Foundation is the improved health of the community and people of Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois.

Our Vision

Deaconess Foundation envisions a community that values the health and well-being of all and gives priority attention to the most invisiblized. This community only thrives if the allocation of power and distribution of resources, benefits, opportunities and burdens are not predictable by, nor predicated on race.

Seniors Community Revitalization & Development Fund

The Seniors Community Revitalization & Development Fund (Seniors Community Fund) aims to improve the public health system infrastructure to better serve residents 55 years of age and older and promote transparency and accountability. The Seniors Community Fund is done in partnership with the St. Louis Regional Health Commission to support services for seniors in the region.

Priority Areas

Proposals must support services for seniors ages 55 and above in one or more of the following priority areas:

• Transportation
  • includes transportation to more than just health-related services (transportation to grocery stores, self-care appointments, social activities, etc.)
• Safety
  • focuses on measures that increase overall safety AND the feeling of safety within neighborhoods (outdoor lighting, home maintenance and landscaping, security cameras)
• Navigation Support
  • includes support staff or programming that makes accessing social and health services more transparent, understandable, and accessible for seniors.

Funding

Applicants can request and be awarded up to $30,000 for each proposal.

Objective

The objective of the Social Services Grant (SSG) Program is to enhance social service activities for community benefit.

Strategy

Provision of financial support for enhancement of social services (including labor, supplies, and materials) including, but not limited to those concerned with employment, crime prevention, child care, health, drug abuse, education, fair housing counseling, energy conservation, emergency financial assistance, recreational needs, senior services, or training for local agencies and institutions. The grant year starts on January 1 and ends on December 31.

Funding Priorities

The Social Services Grant was established with five main priorities in mind. Those priorities and eligible activities are listed below. Depending on emerging community needs, Staff performs assessment each year to determine if additional funding priorities should be emphasized.

• Emergency Services
  • Provide funding for emergency shelter
  • Food and personal care items
  • Emergency assistance
• Seniors
  • Respite care
  • Meal delivery
  • Home sharing
  • Mental health counseling
• Self-Sufficiency
  • Medical care for the uninsured
  • Financial counseling
  • Childcare
  • Employment services
  • Counseling/Substance abuse services/Case management
• Special Populations: Individuals with mental, physical and developmental disabilities
  • Caregiver support/Respite services
  • Community integration/Socialization/Independent living skills
• Youth
  • Mentoring
  • Counseling
  • Pregnancy prevention/education

Transportation is a priority in each category to fund the following objectives:

• Provide subsidy for a public transit voucher program.
• Provide subsidy for a gas voucher program.
• Provide subsidy for a taxi voucher program.

The Dudley T. Dougherty Foundation Vision

The Dudley T. Dougherty Foundation, "A Foundation for All", was established in 2002. It was begun in order to give a clear voice for those who wish to be a part of the many, worthy, forces for change in our world.

We are a foundation whose purpose is to look ahead towards the future, giving the past its due by remembering where we came from, and how much we can all accomplish together. We aim to make the critical difference on our planet by recognizing and having respect for our ever changing world. We respect all Life, the Environment, and all People, no matter who they are.

Mission

The Retirement Research Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life for our nation’s older adults. RRF is one of the first private foundations devoted exclusively to aging and retirement issues. As the issues facing an aging population gain ever-greater urgency, the Foundation remains committed to supporting innovative solutions that enhance the lives of older Americans.

Responsive Grants - Advocacy

The Retirement Research Foundation funds advocacy projects that have a regional or national impact for older Americans. Of particular interest are projects that:

• Advance policy issues of critical importance to our nation’s seniors such as economic security, health care, housing, etc. 
• Use clearly focused and strategic efforts to address systemic problems;
• Forge partnerships with organizations to achieve better use of resources and to share knowledge.

Organizations applying for Advocacy Grants will:

• Maintain a separation between their lobbying and advocacy work;  
• Describe the activities to be funded by RRF;
• Acknowledge in writing that RRF funds will not be used for lobbying efforts.

Domestic Violence Legal Services

The Illinois Equal Justice Foundation (IEJF) is a not-for-profit corporation established in 1999, pursuant to the Illinois Equal Justice Act. The IEJF supports initiatives to increase Illinois residents’ access to the legal system. The IEJF provides grants to nonprofit legal aid providers through three state appropriations housed in the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, COVID-19-related eviction funding through the IL Department of Human Services and COVID-19-related federal funding through the Illinois Housing Developmemt Authority (IHDA).

This funding is designated by the State of Illinois to support domestic violence prevention through a portion of the State’s FY 25 fiscal year (October 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025). IEJF has been charged with distributing grant funding to nonprofit organizations to assist survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence through civil legal services and legal information. This current round of funding has been provided by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS).

Legal Information for the Public

Purpose

The Illinois Equal Justice Foundation (IEJF) makes grants to help Illinois residents understand how to use the legal system to resolve a problem.

In the Legal Information for the Public category, the IEJF will consider support for two types of projects:

Ameriprise Financial Grantmaking

At Ameriprise Financial, giving back is deeply rooted in our culture. We’ve initiated positive change in the communities where we live and work for more than 120 years. We believe our community involvement enables us to actively live our values. Through grant making, volunteerism and employee and financial advisor gift matching programs, we support a diverse group of over 6,000 nonprofits across the country.

Focus Areas

Awarding grant dollars to nonprofits is one way we strengthen our communities and help individuals on a path to financial independence. To ensure we're meeting the needs of our communities and making an even greater collective impact, we focus on three key giving areas when awarding grants.

Volunteer engagement is a priority across all focus areas:

The engagement of Ameriprise employees and financial advisors is a critical component of our philanthropy. Whether it’s serving on a nonprofit board, engaging friends, clients and community members in volunteering or providing skills-based support, our relationships with nonprofits go deep. For this reason, we give priority across all focus areas to applications where there is active volunteer engagement of Ameriprise advisors and employees. 

Meeting Basic Needs

At Ameriprise Financial, we help clients achieve financial security and peace of mind. That’s satisfying, meaningful work. We also help the people in our neighborhoods who struggle to meet basic needs such as where their next meal comes from, where they’ll sleep tonight or how they’ll find a higher wage job. We’re here to help them through the three platforms of our Meeting Basic Needs focus area.

Consideration is given to applications addressing the following: 

• Hunger
• Food banks, food shelves and food pantries, daily meal programs or meal services for the homebound
• Hunger-relief programs targeted to meet the special needs of children, ethnic populations or veterans
• Food programs run by nonprofits where hunger is not their sole focus, for example a youth meal program at the YWCA or a backpack program run by a Boys & Girls Club
• Shelter
• Emergency shelter, including youth homelessness
• Transitional housing, permanent supportive housing and efforts to end chronic homelessness
• Housing-first models (programs quickly providing housing and then addressing needed services)
• Achieving and maintaining home ownership, repair and maintenance efforts helping keep seniors, veterans and other populations in their homes 
• Adult Self-Sufficiency: Programs serving adults age 21 and older that help address the following areas:
• Basic hard and soft skills that help adults achieve economic and family stability
• Basic financial and budgeting skills
• Increase employability and wages, including work readiness and job transitions
• Employment of disabled adults

Supporting Community Vitality

We believe communities should be strong, healthy and resilient. We want livable places for all, where neighbors look out for one another, cultural events are well-attended and people pull together in times of crisis and joy. We work to create economic vitality and cultural enrichment through the following areas of focus.

Consideration is given to applications addressing the following: 

• Community Development
• Neighborhood revitalization
• Economic development
• Strengthening and supporting small businesses and nonprofits through technical expertise
• Cultural Enrichment
• Arts education
• Access for underserved populations
• Diverse artists and performances that spark topical community conversations 

Volunteer Driven Causes: Ameriprise employees and financial advisors are outstanding volunteers who serve in teams and also as individuals bringing personal skill-sets to nonprofits. Volunteering is part of the culture at Ameriprise and we are proud to support communities through contributions of both service and financial resources. 

Funding for Volunteer-Driven Causes is determined by current Ameriprise volunteerism. In general, funding is in proportion to the size of the Ameriprise volunteer team supporting a nonprofit. A team may include employees, financial advisors and/or staff or a combination of any Ameriprise volunteers. 

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.

About Us

The Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln accepts grant applications for several programs and charitable funds throughout the year. The Community Foundation encourages nonprofit organizations in Sangamon, Cass, Christian, Logan, Macoupin, Menard, Montgomery, and Morgan counties to apply for funding from our competitive grantmaking funds when eligible.

King’s Daughters Organization Fund

The King’s Daughters Organization (KDO) mission is to support the well-being of and to charitably aid the elderly in Sangamon County.

In 2007, the KDO established a donor advised fund through the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln with assets from the closure of the King’s Daughters Home in Springfield, Illinois.

Issue: Senior Citizen Programs

Area: Sangamon County

The purpose and goals of the King's Daughters Organization Fund grants are to provide financial support to programs and services of charitable organizations that:

• Enhance the quality of life for older residents of Sangamon County.
• Address the unmet needs of older residents of Sangamon County.

Funding

Awards will range from $2,500 to $25,000, depending on availability of funds. 

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.

The Foundation is dedicated to providing financial assistance to organizations committed to improving our world. Solutions to the problems of today's world still lie in the values of innovation, practicality, hard work, and compassion.

The Foundation considers applications for grants in the following areas:

• Education
• Social Service
• Health care
• Civic and cultural
• Environmental

The categories above are not intended to limit the interest of the Foundation from considering other worthwhile projects. In general, the Foundation guidelines are broad to give us flexibility in providing grants.

The majority of our grants are made in the U.S. However, like Dr. Scholl, we recognize the need for a global outlook. Non-U.S. grants are given to organizations where directors have knowledge of the grantee.

About

The Illinois Department of Human Services was created in 1997 to provide our state's residents with streamlined access to integrated services, especially those who are striving for economic independence, and others who face multiple challenges to self-sufficiency.

AmeriCorps Formula Fixed

Program Description

This funding opportunity is open to new applicants and one continuation applicant. Any applicants selected for funding will be notified by IDHS/Serve Illinois and a contract will be sent requiring a signature from the program designee.

Program Summary

AmeriCorps State and National (ASN) Program improves lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through service and volunteering. AmeriCorps brings people together to tackle some of the country's most pressing challenges through national service and volunteerism. The primary objective for AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers is to serve with organizations dedicated to the improvement of communities and those serving. AmeriCorps helps make service a cornerstone of our national culture.

An AmeriCorps member is an individual who engages in community service through an approved national service position. Members may receive a living allowance and other benefits while serving. Upon successful completion of their service, members earn a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award that they can use to pay for higher education expenses or apply to qualified student loans.

AmeriCorps National grants are awarded to eligible organizations, proposing to engage AmeriCorps members in evidence-based or evidence- informed interventions/practices to strengthen communities. AmeriCorps National grants are administered in Illinois by a state commission, Serve Illinois, under the purview of the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS).

About

The Illinois Department of Human Services was created in 1997 to provide our state's residents with streamlined access to integrated services, especially those who are striving for economic independence, and others who face multiple challenges to self-sufficiency.

AmeriCorps Formula Traditional

Program Description

This funding opportunity is open to new, recompete, and continuation applicants. Any applicants selected for funding will be notified by IDHS/Serve Illinois and a contract will be sent requiring a signature from the program designee.

Program Summary

AmeriCorps State and National (ASN) Program improves lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through service and volunteering. AmeriCorps brings people together to tackle some of the country's most pressing challenges through national service and volunteerism. The primary objective for AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers is to serve with organizations dedicated to the improvement of communities and those serving. AmeriCorps helps make service a cornerstone of our national culture.

An AmeriCorps member is an individual who engages in community service through an approved national service position. Members may receive a living allowance and other benefits while serving. Upon successful completion of their service, members earn a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award that they can use to pay for higher education expenses or apply to qualified student loans.

AmeriCorps National grants are awarded to eligible organizations, proposing to engage AmeriCorps members in evidence-based or evidence- informed interventions/practices to strengthen communities. AmeriCorps National grants are administered in Illinois by a state commission, Serve Illinois, under the purview of the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS).

About

The Illinois Department of Human Services was created in 1997 to provide our state's residents with streamlined access to integrated services, especially those who are striving for economic independence, and others who face multiple challenges to self-sufficiency.

AmeriCorps Planning Grant

Program Description

This funding opportunity is open to applicants new to AmeriCorps funding. Any applicants selected for funding will be notified by IDHS/Serve Illinois and a contract will be sent requiring a signature from the program designee.

Program Summary

AmeriCorps State and National (ASN) Program improves lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through service and volunteering. AmeriCorps brings people together to tackle some of the country's most pressing challenges through national service and volunteerism. The primary objective for AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers is to serve with organizations dedicated to the improvement of communities and those serving. AmeriCorps helps make service a cornerstone of our national culture.

Serve Illinois planning grants provide support to a grant recipient to develop an AmeriCorps program that will engage AmeriCorps members in implementing evidence-based interventions to solve community problems. Grant recipients are awarded up to $125,000 for a 12-month planning period and are encouraged to compete for an AmeriCorps program grant in the following grant cycle if they deem the fit with AmeriCorps to be of use to their community. A planning grant may not be used to support AmeriCorps members. Please note that being awarded a planning grant for one year does not guarantee the applicant will be awarded a full cost reimbursement grant in the future nor does it guarantee the applicant will be awarded an additional planning grant in the future.

Organizations that propose to operate only in Illinois must apply through Serve Illinois. Organizations that propose to operate AmeriCorps programs in more than one State or Territory must access the federal planning grant guidance on the AmeriCorps website.

Community Based Services for Equal Distribution to each of the 13 Area Agencies on Aging

The purpose of these Equal Distribution Grant funds are to supplement federal Older Americans Act funding, to maximize the quality of life of older persons. The Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA) provides federal Older Americans Act funds (Title III) and State Funds to regional Area Agencies on Aging for this purpose. The State of Illinois is divided into 13 Planning and Service Areas (PSAs), each with its own Area Agency on Aging, to stimulate the development or enhancement of coordinated community-based systems, resulting in a continuum of services to persons age 60 and older. These services help seniors stay as independent as possible in their homes and communities and avoid hospitalization and nursing home care. Using an intrastate funding formula, IDoA awards sub grants under each approved Area Agency on Aging Area Plan. The funding formula reflects the proportion among the Planning and Service Areas of persons age 60 and over in greatest economic or social need, with particular attention to low-income minority individuals and those at risk of institutionalization. The Area Agencies on Aging in turn make sub grants to local service providers, while advocating and representing the best interests of older persons and their caregivers.

Senior Health Assistance Program - BAA Reimbursement

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 Benefit Access Application grant funds are to be used for the following purposes:

• Provide information and assistance services for the completion of applications relating to the Seniors Free Transit Ride, Persons with Disabilities Free Transit Ride, and the Secretary of State’s License Plate Discount Program.
• Provide technical assistance on applications relating to the Seniors Free Transit Ride, Persons with Disabilities Free Transit Ride, and the Secretary of State’s License Plate Discount Program.

The purpose of the Older Americans Act is to maximize the quality of life of older persons. The Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA) provides federal Older Americans Act funds (Title III) and State General Revenue Funds (GRF) to regional Area Agencies on Aging for this purpose.

The grants fund a broad array of services that enable older adults to remain in their homes for as long as possible. These services include, but are not limited, to:

• Access to services such as transportation, case management, and information and assistance;
• In-home services such as personal care, chores, and homemaker assistance; and
• Community services such as legal services, mental health services, and adult daycare

This program also funds multi-purpose senior centers that coordinate and integrate services for older adults such as congregate meals, community education, health screening, exercise/health promotion programs, and transportation.

The State of Illinois is divided into 13 Planning and Service Areas (PSAs), each with its own Area Agency on Aging, to stimulate the development or enhancement of coordinated community-based systems, resulting in a continuum of services to persons age 60 and older. These services help seniors stay as independent as possible in their homes and communities, and avoid hospitalization and nursing home care. Using an intrastate funding formula, IDoA awards sub-grants under each approved Area Agency on Aging Area Plan. The funding formula reflects the proportion among the Planning and Service Areas of persons age 60 and over in greatest economic or social need, with particular attention to low-income minority individuals and those at risk of institutionalization. The Area Agencies on Aging in turn make sub-grants to local service providers, while advocating and representing the best interests of older persons and their caregivers.

What is the Lumpkin Family Foundation?

Who we are: The Lumpkin Family Foundation is a private, family foundation created in 1953 from the estate of Besse A. Lumpkin of Mattoon, Illinois. We are a multi-generational, family-governed organization whose programs reflect the collective aspirations of a diverse family living in communities across the country.

We make grants and conduct programs that support people working together to build healthy, sustainable communities in East Central Illinois and beyond.

Where we work: We are devoted to the region of East Central Illinois, where the Lumpkin family operated a business for more than 100 years. However, we look at the world holistically, through a systems lens, and direct resources elsewhere when it aligns with our goals.

How we work: We understand the Foundation's role as existing along a continuum - from responsive grant-making to the execution of our own programs that aim to spur innovation, foster leadership and encourage new approaches to old problems.

Wellness Grants for Leaders and Frontline Workers

The Lumpkin Family Foundation (LFF) recognizes that burnout is a constant threat to the sustainability of our grantee organizations and would be remiss if we did not prioritize the mental wellness of the people who lead, manage, and labor on the frontlines within the communities in which they serve. To that end, LFF has developed the Wellness Grant program to support the mental health and wellbeing of grantee staff and leaders.

Sabbatical Leave: New this year, organizations can apply for up to $10,000 toward sabbatical leave for a senior leader (e.g., Executive Director, President/CEO, or another senior leader). Sabbaticals must be a minimum of 6 weeks in duration and adhere to the leave or sabbatical policies of the organization applying for funding.*

Wellness Grants: Non-profit organizations that have received LFF funding during the last 3 years (2022-2025) may apply for funding to support the mental health and wellness of their leaders and staff. These are one-time grants of up to $2,500. Organizations may apply for this funding in addition to other funding opportunities as outlined on our website.

Community Partnership Award

The Mutual of America Foundation Community Partnership Award recognizes outstanding nonprofit organizations in the United States that have shown exemplary leadership by facilitating partnerships with public, private or social sector leaders who are working together as equal partners, not as donors and recipients, to build a cohesive community that serves as a model for collaborating with others for the greater good.

Each year, the Mutual of America Foundation sponsors a national competition in which hundreds of organizations demonstrate the value of their partnership to the communities they serve, their ability to be replicated by others and their capacity to stimulate new approaches to addressing significant social issues.

Six organizations are selected by an independent committee to receive the Community Partnership Award.

• The Thomas J. Moran Award is given to the national award-winning program and includes $100,000 and a documentary video about the program.
• The Frances R. Hesselbein Award is given to a partnership that is addressing social challenges in more than one community, or which demonstrates the potential to be replicated in other communities. This recipient receives $75,000.
• Four other organizations are named Honorable Mention recipients for their programs, and each receives $50,000.

Since its inception in 1996, the Community Partnership Award has recognized 262 partnerships from cities and towns across America. Like so many of our clients working in the nonprofit community, Mutual of America is dedicated to having a direct, positive impact on society.

Background

The IEJF administers the State of Illinois’ appropriation for Civil Legal Aid, which is housed in the Attorney General’s budget. Attorney General Raoul requested and received $5,000,000 for the state appropriation for civil legal aid this year. The budget for this year's grants will be approximately $4.8 million

With this funding, we support programs that:

• Help people access basic needs
• Protect victims of domestic violence
• Recover funds for seniors victimized by fraud
• Help people resolve family crises

Purposes

The Illinois Equal Justice Foundation makes Civil Legal Aid grants in five categories:

• Legal Information for the Public
• Self Help Legal Assistance Projects
• Mediation Services
• Telephone Advice & Referral Services
• Civil Legal Assistance

At its discretion, the Board may also request proposals from non-profit organizations to conduct research, training and technical assistance regarding legal information for the public, mediation, telephone advice and referral services and/or civil legal assistance.

The mission of the Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA) 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.

The Department has an annual budget of over $1.6 billion and provides both federal and state funding to a network of community-based providers throughout the State of Illinois that provide services and supports to older adults to help them remain in their homes and communities. The Department also monitors the community-based providers that comprise the Aging Network to ensure high-quality and culturally appropriate services. IDoA administers the largest Home and Community-Based Service (HCBS) Medicaid waiver in the state, the Persons Who are Elderly Waiver. This waiver, also known as the Community Care Program (CCP), serves over 150,000 older adults age 60+ in the State of Illinois. Under CCP, eligible older adults may receive services such as in-home care, adult day service, emergency home response technology, and medication dispensing technology.

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program

Short Description

The purpose of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is to engage persons 55 years of age and older in volunteer service to meet critical needs and to provide a high quality of experience that will enrich the lives of the volunteers. Funds will be used to match and/or complement the federal funds the Grantee receives from the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Objective

The purpose of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is to engage persons 55 years of age and older in volunteer service to meet critical community needs and to provide a high quality experience that will enrich the lives of the volunteers. RSVP volunteers have developed a lifetime of skills, talents, experience and work ethic that makes them a valuable resource in their community. RSVP recognizes the strength and wisdom of these older adults and places them in assignments that maximize and utilize their time and abilities. The Retired Senior and Volunteer Program is an opportunity to identify and provide meaningful volunteer opportunities for seniors and assist not-for-profit agencies and other organizations in meeting their needs and goals. RSVP offers “one stop shopping” for all volunteers 55 and over who want to find challenging, rewarding, and significant service opportunities in their communities.

Matching Requirements

Individuals age 55 and older utilize their skills and experiences to help their communities. They can serve from a few hours a week to forty hours a week in one or more efforts. Volunteers receive a pre-service orientation, followed by on-the-job training from the agency or organization where they are placed. While on duty, volunteers also receive supplemental insurance.