Best Capacity Building Grants for Nonprofits in Illinois

The Community Opportunities Grant Program, managed by the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, offers flexible funding to address urgent needs and unforeseen opportunities for organizations in the Rockford region. Typically, $30,000 is allocated each fiscal year, with specific criteria for eligibility. Organizations can apply for funding to tackle emergencies or leverage matching grants, ensuring that support is directed toward enhancing community services and addressing critical situations effectively.

The PLTW Engineering grant, supported by the Arconic Foundation, aims to enhance STEM education by funding the implementation of PLTW Engineering courses in schools. This initiative prepares students for future careers by igniting their passion for engineering. Grants will cover startup costs for new programs or expansions of existing ones. Eligible schools must offer PLTW's Advanced Manufacturing course for the 2026-2027 school year, ensuring access to essential resources and training for educators.

The PLTW Engineering program, supported by Arconic Foundation, aims to expand STEM education in public and charter schools across several states. This grant will help cover costs for necessary equipment and training, focusing on high-need student populations. Eligible schools must implement PLTW's Advanced Manufacturing course by the 2026-2027 school year. The initiative is designed to ignite student interest in engineering and increase enrollment in STEM disciplines.

The FY26 US DOT Drone Infrastructure Inspection Grants (DIIG) Program aims to enhance the use of drones for critical infrastructure inspections by eligible government entities. With $9 million available, the program supports innovative drone technologies and prioritizes projects that improve safety and operational efficiency. Grant funds can be used for purchasing drone systems and contracting services. The federal share may reach up to 75% in certain cases, fostering collaboration and technological advancement in infrastructure management.

The SBB Research Group Grant offers $5,000 to 501(c)(3) organizations with a focus on addressing unmet needs through sustainable strategies. The application process is streamlined, consisting of just ten questions. The evaluation includes a review by the Philanthropy Committee, which selects nominees for interviews and finalists for presentations. Winners receive funding and further opportunities, while all finalists receive $1,000. This grant aims to empower organizations with 5 to 49 full-time employees.

The Clinton Presidential Research Fellowship, offered by the Clinton Presidential Library and the Clinton Foundation, supports graduate students and early career academics in the humanities and social sciences. This fellowship enables research into President Clinton's administration and its legacy. Annual funding ranges from $1,250 to $5,000 USD, encouraging students and scholars to delve into American history and presidential legacies. Applications are invited from current graduate students or those who have earned a PhD within the last eight years.

The R3PEATS Multi-Team Triangulation initiative supports collaborative research teams to explore a central biomedical question using diverse methods and model systems. It emphasizes the importance of identifying biological variability and ensuring the robustness of findings through replication strategies. This program is part of the NIH Common Fund's Rigor, Replicability, & Reproducibility to Promote Excellence in Science, aiming to enhance the accuracy and translation of scientific discoveries.

The Simons Dissertation Fellowship in Mathematics, offered by the Simons Foundation, supports exceptional Ph.D. students in their final years of study. This fellowship, honoring co-founder Jim Simons, provides $19,200 annually for research support and departmental funds, commencing September 1, 2025. Eligible candidates must be full-time Ph.D. students in a U.S. mathematics department, entering their third year. The program emphasizes research quality, significance, and potential impact.

The James L. Bass Legal Scholarship, established by the Foundation for Rural Service, honors the legacy of James Bass, who significantly impacted rural telecommunications. This scholarship supports students entering their first year of law school with a focus on rural communities. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens. Through this initiative, the scholarship aims to foster new legal talent committed to enhancing the quality of life in rural America, continuing Mr. Bass's dedication to community service.

The FAA Aviation Research Grants Program invites applications for aviation research grants aimed at supporting innovative research for civil aviation growth. Eligible applicants, primarily colleges and non-profit institutions, can propose studies across various scientific disciplines. The program emphasizes advanced research in areas like air traffic control, communications, and human factors, promoting the development of technologies that enhance safety and efficiency in aviation and commercial space transportation.

About the IP Law Foundation

For nearly two decades, the Foundation—originally established as the American Intellectual Property Law Education Foundation—has championed expanded access and opportunity in the intellectual property (IP) law profession. In 2020, reflecting the growth and impact of its mission, the organization adopted a new name: the Foundation for Advancement of Diversity in IP Law. This change accompanied an expansion of its long-standing programs to attract, support, and empower students committed to careers in IP law.

In 2025, to further clarify its mission and identity, the Foundation streamlined its name to what it is today: The IP Law Foundation.

Jan Jancin Award – AIPLA Past Presidents Award

The Jan Jancin Award is a merit-based award that honors Jan Jancin, who served with extraordinary distinction in numerous IP bar leadership roles throughout his career, including both as president of the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) and as the chair of the Section on Intellectual Property Law of the American Bar Association. The Jan Jancin Award is made possible through the generosity of AIPLA and the ABA IPL Section. The AIPLA Past Presidents Award is a merit-based award that is made possible through the contributions to the Foundation each year by past presidents of the AIPLA.

Award

The winner of the Jan Jancin Award receives a $5,000 cash honorarium, as well as reasonable travel expenses to attend the presentation of the award in person, which is made each year during either the AIPLA Annual Meeting or a meeting of the ABA IPL Section. The winner of the AIPLA Past Presidents Award receives a cash honorarium of $2,500, and is invited to attend the presentation of the award in person at the AIPLA Annual Meeting.

Nomination Process

The dean (or another appropriate faculty member) of a law school has the opportunity to select and recommend a single 2L or 3L student as the law school’s nominee for both the Jan Jancin Award and the AIPLA Past Presidents Award. The recommending faculty member must provide a description, based on personal knowledge of the nominee, of the nominee’s relevant achievements, using criteria such as (1) best grades in IP courses overall, (2) outstanding achievement in specified IP courses, (3) best IP paper written by a student, (4) faculty consensus, and (5) leadership in student IP organizations.

Nebraska Humanities Council

The mission of Humanities Nebraska is to help people explore what connects us and makes us human.

There are two organizations that fall under the Humanities Nebraska umbrella — the Nebraska Humanities Council is the entity that conducts programs and makes grants. The Nebraska Foundation for the Humanities works with the Council to secure private funding and advocate for public funding at the state and federal levels to support these programs. A third organization, the Nebraska Cultural Endowment, serves as the endowment for both Humanities Nebraska and the Nebraska Arts Council, a state agency.

Sower Award in the Humanities

Humanities Nebraska presents the Sower Award in the Humanities annually to honor an individual who has made a significant contribution to the public understanding of the humanities in Nebraska. This contribution can be made through any combination of time, expertise, or resources. The selection committee will consider how nominees have helped enrich the lives of Nebraskans through the humanities: history, literature, culture, philosophy, and all the ways we explore what it means to be human.

Each year, the Sower Award in the Humanities is presented prior to the annual Governor’s Lecture in the Humanities. The award recipient must be present. In some past years the Sower Award was presented to organizations or communities; as of 2016, only individuals are eligible for nomination. Current board and staff members of Humanities Nebraska are not eligible.

Previous honorees have included:

• Talented humanities faculty who have taken the humanities to the public beyond their classroom;
• Committed volunteers dedicating their time and energy to enhancing the cultural life of Nebraska;
• Thoughtful journalists and filmmakers bringing the humanities to bear on important public issues;
• Generous philanthropists who have directed significant financial support to humanities-related programs and projects accessible by Nebraskans

The Aviation Management Scholarship, offered by the AAAE Foundation, supports students enrolled in aviation programs at accredited colleges in the U.S. or Canada. Scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence, financial need, and active community participation. Up to ten awards of $2,000 each will be given, with at least two designated for ethnic minority applicants. The scholarship aims to foster future leaders in the aviation industry.

The Royal B. Kinder Fund aims to enhance the quality of life in Wichita Falls by promoting charitable giving. Nonprofits in Archer County are eligible to apply for grants, which are awarded to 501(c)(3) organizations and other charitable projects. The fund encourages initiatives that benefit the community without discrimination. However, restrictions apply to fundraising, scholarships, and grants to individuals or political entities. Eligible organizations can apply annually to support various charitable purposes.

The Burkburnett Legacy Foundation aims to enhance philanthropy and provide charitable opportunities to support nonprofits in Burkburnett, TX. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations and government entities, with grants awarded for charitable purposes. The foundation promotes the well-being of all, irrespective of race or gender. However, certain ineligibilities apply, such as restrictions on grants to political candidates or individuals. Organizations can apply annually to benefit from this foundation's support.

The Edwardsville Community Foundation (ECF) offers Community Impact Challenge Grants to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations that significantly benefit the Edwardsville community. Grants up to $5,000 are available throughout the year, aimed at enhancing quality of life, supporting underfunded projects, and fostering collaboration among local organizations. Applicants must raise a 10% cash match of the grant amount. This initiative underscores ECF's commitment to enriching the communities it serves.

The Engineering Research Initiation (ERI) program, funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), aims to bolster engineering research capacity by supporting new academic investigators. This initiative is designed for those who have not yet received significant federal funding and are affiliated with institutions below the 'very high research activity' level. By fostering innovation and mentorship, the program seeks to broaden participation in engineering research across the nation.

The SBB Research Group Foundation Grant supports 501(c)(3) organizations addressing unmet needs through sustainable strategies. Winners are selected monthly, receiving $5,000, while other finalists are awarded $1,000. The foundation collaborates with various partners and has a strong commitment to community service. Organizations are encouraged to apply early, as prior applicants can be reconsidered in subsequent months. This initiative aims to empower impactful initiatives across diverse sectors.

The ASMS Postdoctoral Career Development Awards provide five $5,000 grants annually to support the professional growth of postdoctoral fellows in mass spectrometry. Eligible applicants must be ASMS members and postdoctoral fellows within three years of their Ph.D. These awards can cover costs for conferences, workshops, travel to labs, or purchasing essential professional items, fostering career advancement in this specialized field.

The Computational Mathematics program supports research that integrates computation with mathematical analysis, encouraging innovative algorithm development and application. Proposals may range from individual projects to interdisciplinary teams, focusing on new computational techniques to address significant application challenges. The program also emphasizes training for junior mathematicians through hands-on research. Conference proposals must adhere to strict submission timelines to ensure review and funding opportunities, fostering collaboration within the mathematical sciences.

The Human Networks and Data Science (HNDS) program, supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF), focuses on enhancing our understanding of human behavior through data and network science. It features two tracks: HNDS-I, aimed at developing data resources for social sciences, and HNDS-R, which leverages large datasets to advance theoretical frameworks in core social, behavioral, and economic disciplines. Proposals are encouraged to provide innovative insights that can lead to significant societal benefits.

The Link Foundation offers a prestigious Energy Fellowship aimed at supporting Ph.D. candidates focused on energy innovation. Each fellowship provides $35,000 per year for two years, totaling $70,000. Applicants must be enrolled in a U.S. or Canadian institution and demonstrate satisfactory academic progress. The second-year funding requires an endorsement from the research advisor. This opportunity is ideal for those with a clear thesis direction who need additional support to complete their doctoral studies.

The PLTW Engineering program, supported by the Caterpillar Foundation, aims to enhance access to STEM education in underserved communities. This initiative focuses on expanding existing PLTW Engineering programs by introducing new courses, additional class periods, and teacher training for the 2025-2026 academic year. Preference is given to schools with a high-need student population, ensuring that those eligible for free or reduced lunch programs are prioritized for funding. This partnership fosters workforce readiness and empowers future innovators.

The Mathematical Sciences Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (MSPRF) aim to support emerging leaders in mathematics and statistics. These fellowships enhance participants' research environments, ensuring significant scientific development. Awardees can choose between a Research Fellowship or a Research Instructorship, with funding available for research across various mathematical and statistical disciplines. Proposals are submitted directly to the NSF, and fellows must affiliate with eligible institutions or organizations.

The PLTW Engineering program, supported by the Caterpillar Foundation, aims to enhance STEM education in underserved communities. Grants of $30,000 will help schools launch and expand these programs starting in the 2025-2026 academic year. Schools must offer at least two different PLTW Engineering courses over two years. Preference will be given to institutions with high-need student populations as determined by free and reduced lunch eligibility.

The American Trust for the British Library-Newberry Transatlantic Fellowship offers scholars the opportunity to conduct research in both the British Library and the Newberry Library. This fellowship, which lasts at least one month and provides a stipend of $5,000 per month, encourages innovative research utilizing primary source materials from both institutions. Open to all scholars, including those at the ABD stage, it aims to foster transatlantic scholarly collaboration.

The Mathematical Sciences Research Institutes, supported by the National Science Foundation, serve as critical national resources aimed at advancing research in mathematics and statistics. These institutes facilitate the discovery and dissemination of knowledge while enhancing connections with related fields. Their activities attract top mathematical minds to tackle pressing problems and engage a diverse array of U.S.-based researchers, ultimately bolstering the impact of mathematical sciences across various disciplines.