Best Grants for Charities in Illinois

The Reading is Fundamental Matching Grant for Read for Success empowers local organizations to enhance literacy by providing matching funds for books and resources. Since 1966, RIF has partnered with communities to foster a culture of reading among children in need, offering diverse books that reflect their lives. This grant matches local investments dollar-for-dollar, maximizing the impact of funding for educational programs. Eligible applicants include schools and youth-serving organizations across the U.S., supporting children from birth through grade 12.

The ACG/ASGE Epidemiologic Research Award in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy supports research projects that study the use and outcomes of gastrointestinal endoscopy through the GI Quality Improvement Consortium (GIQuIC). Co-sponsored by the American College of Gastroenterology and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, this award is aimed at enhancing the quality and outcomes of GI endoscopic procedures, benefiting both practitioners and patients.

Scholarships

Grand Haven Area Community Foundation scholarships are awarded competitively based on criteria set by donors. These criteria could include financial need, the school the applicant is attending, academic achievement, as well as personal or career goals. The Community Foundation has a rigorous internal selection process for each scholarship decision, and each applicant is reviewed in depth, and considered thoroughly.

Our scholarship program is simple. You are able to apply once for all foundation scholarships you may be eligible for. Once your application is submitted, you will be eligible for all those for which you meet the requirement.

Frederick Brown Fund

This fund was opened in honor of Frederick Brown by his daughters, Stacy and Bonnie, after his death in 2018. Frederick was a gifted surgeon. He was the first and, for many years, only, vascular surgeon in the Tri-Cities area. He obtained his pre-med degree with a double major in history and biology from Andrew's University and graduated from medical school in 1973. He did his general and thoracic surgery residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Dearborn. Frederick was full of humor, loved to travel, and had a generous presence in ensuring high quality and local health care could be available in West Michigan.

The Resident Clinical Research Award, supported by the ACG Institute and the American College of Gastroenterology, fosters original clinical research by medical residents in gastroenterology and hepatology. This award encourages promising trainees to undertake a mentored research project, with funding for diverse studies and reimbursement for travel to the ACG Annual Scientific meeting. Since 1994, over $31.9 million has been awarded to more than 745 recipients, promoting careers in clinical research.

The Hart Family Scholarship, established by Todd and Terry Hart, supports students residing in the 1969 Fire District area of the Town of Trenton. It aims to provide educational opportunities for those accepted into accredited colleges, universities, or vocational schools in the U.S. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and must have lived in the area for at least three years. This scholarship reflects a commitment to enhancing community vibrancy through education.

The Reading is Fundamental Matching Grant - Books for Ownership program supports local literacy initiatives by providing funding for diverse books and literacy resources. Established in 1966, RIF aims to foster a culture of literacy among children in under-resourced communities. Eligible organizations can apply for funding to double their impact through matched funds, ensuring children have access to high-quality books that reflect their experiences and broaden their perspectives.

The U.S. Western Digital STEM Scholarships aim to support underrepresented and underserved youth in pursuing STEM degrees. Offered by Western Digital and administered by Scholarship America, this program provides a $5,000 award to students transferring from community colleges to four-year universities. Eligibility includes a minimum GPA of 2.7 and demonstrated financial need. Preference is given to first-generation college students and those from historically underrepresented backgrounds, fostering diversity in STEM fields.

The Veterans United Foundation Scholarship supports the educational aspirations of military families by providing financial assistance to eligible applicants. This scholarship is open to veterans with service-related disabilities, surviving spouses, and children of deceased servicemembers. Since its inception in 2012, over $1 million has been awarded, making a significant impact on the education of those who serve our country. The application process requires proof of eligibility and documentation to ensure support for education-related expenses.

The Racial Equity and Community Partnership Grant Program, managed by Northwestern University, aims to foster partnerships between community organizations and the university to address racial inequities. With over $500,000 committed annually since 2020, the program supports initiatives that promote equity through capacity building and research-based strategies. It invites applications from community-based organizations and university representatives, emphasizing projects that lead to structural changes and benefit underserved communities.

The ILA Exemplary Reading Program Award, presented by the International Literacy Association, recognizes exceptional reading and language arts programs across all grade levels in Canada and the United States. This award aims to highlight outstanding educational efforts that promote literacy improvement and excellence among school staff. Eligible programs must submit comprehensive applications showcasing their entire reading initiatives, serving as models for others. Winning schools gain recognition while contributing to the advancement of literacy education.

Horizon of Hope Scholarship

Balancing the responsibilities of family and work can be challenging for anyone, but for single parents who want to improve their lives by continuing their education, juggling the added responsibilities can seem downright overwhelming.

The Horizons of Hope Fund was established to recognize and encourage single parents who have returned to school. Created to help lighten the load, Horizons of Hope assistance can be used for tuition expenses, books, supplies, transportation, childcare, or other living expenses.

Up to $500 per semester is available to single parents.

The ABMS Research and Education Foundation grants support innovative research aimed at enhancing healthcare quality through board certification. By encouraging collaborations among ABMS Member Boards, the program seeks original studies that inform improvements in certification processes. Proposals are reviewed based on relevance to the ABMS mission, research novelty, methods, team composition, and potential impact. Applications from diverse health organizations are welcomed, provided the principal investigator is unaffiliated with ABMS.

Arnold Ventures invites proposals for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate social programs and policies. Focused on evidence-based solutions, this RFP aims to fund rigorous research that identifies effective interventions for pressing social issues. By supporting RCTs, Arnold Ventures seeks to enhance the understanding of what works in policy implementation, thereby informing decision-makers and improving resource allocation. Proposals exceeding $500,000 may require additional approval time.

The Women's Fund Grant, established in 2006 by the Women for Women giving circle, aims to provide essential financial support to organizations addressing the needs of women and their families in Sangamon County and surrounding areas. This private fund, managed by the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln, prioritizes collaborative programs aligned with recommendations from the Sangamon Success report, ensuring impactful contributions to women and children's programs.

The Step Into Swim initiative aims to increase swimming participation among underserved communities by providing learn-to-swim programs. With over 300,000 swim lessons delivered, the program partners with various organizations to ensure children learn vital water safety skills. Funding is strictly for swim lessons, with a focus on developing safe swimmers who understand essential safety rules. Grants will prioritize facilities with certified pool operators, ensuring quality instruction and community engagement in aquatic activities.

The HEAL Initiative: Pain Research Enhancement Program (PREP) aims to support R15-eligible Principal Investigators in conducting rigorous pain research. This initiative promotes interdisciplinary partnerships and enhances the research environment for health professional trainees. Key deadlines include October 28, 2025, and October 27, 2026, for standard applications, and November 24, 2025, and November 23, 2026, for AIDS-related applications. Letters of Intent are encouraged 30 days prior to the due date.

The FINRA Investor Education Foundation's General Grant Program funds educational and research projects aimed at enhancing financial literacy among underserved populations. Grants ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 support initiatives that promote financial inclusion and address systemic inequities. The foundation prioritizes projects that utilize existing data to improve understanding of financial capability and well-being. Applications are accepted anytime, with a focus on sustainability beyond the grant period.

The Family Medicine Cares USA Free Health Clinics Grants support new and existing clinics in the U.S. that provide care to the uninsured. With applications accepted annually from March 15 to July 15, these grants assist clinics in purchasing essential medical equipment. The initiative aims to address the needs of over 50 million uninsured individuals, ensuring access to primary care and promoting volunteerism among AAFP members and medical students. Grants of up to $10,000 are available to eligible clinics.

The Helen M. McLoraine Foster Care and Emancipated Youth Scholarship provides financial support for youth from the foster care system in Colorado. With a minimum award of $1,000, the scholarship is aimed at those pursuing post-secondary education, including trade schools and universities. Recipients are selected based on academic performance, resilience, and financial need, ensuring that deserving individuals receive the assistance they need to succeed in their educational goals.

The USA Football Grant Program offers funding for youth organizations, middle schools, and girls flag football programs to improve operational standards and enhance athlete experiences. Spring Grants are available to help teams acquire necessary equipment and reduce barriers to play, while Fall Grants assist in future planning and increasing participation. Applications for Spring Grants are accepted until March 17, 2025, supporting the mission of #FootballForAll.

The Foundation for Financial Planning provides grants to nonprofit organizations that connect volunteer financial planners with underserved individuals in need of financial guidance. Focused on scalable and sustainable programs, the grants support both established and new initiatives that foster one-on-one relationships between planners and clients. Eligible applicants must be U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits and engage Certified Financial Planner professionals to ensure quality advice is accessible to those facing financial crises.

The Cottrell SEED: New Research Directions grant supports early career researchers in chemistry, physics, and astronomy to launch innovative projects. With a maximum award of $60,000, this initiative encourages interdisciplinary and exploratory research without requiring preliminary data. Eligible applicants include Cottrell Scholars and Holland Award recipients, with a focus on fostering a diverse scientific community. The grant aims to enhance impactful research and academic leadership, aligning with the mission of the Research Corporation for Science Advancement.

KKR Charitable Donations supports impactful collaborations and programs addressing current needs while paving the way for future progress. Through their Corporate Citizenship program, KKR focuses on philanthropy, employee engagement, and sustainable community initiatives. The KKR Cares initiative enables employees to engage with communities worldwide via matching gifts, board service, and volunteer opportunities, aiming to enhance economic opportunity and security for underserved populations.

Lois Roth Foundation

The Lois Roth Foundation honors the life and work of Lois Wersba Roth. Since 1987, it has sought to promote and encourage dialogue across national, linguistic and cultural boundaries, with an emphasis on the humanities, arts and social sciences. Foundation programs are conducted in collaboration with a range of partners and focused on three domains: Fulbright & Academic Collaborations, Cultural Diplomacy, and Literature & Translation.

Cultural Diplomacy

In recollection of Lois Roth’s efforts to promote cross‐cultural understanding and cooperation as a US Foreign Service Officer, the Roth Foundation partners with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) (US State Department), to provide the department’s four awards honoring excellence in the field of cultural and educational diplomacy.

The types of qualities displayed by recipients of Roth Foundation cultural diplomacy awards include:

• Cross‐cultural sensitivity and understanding for all—regardless of age, race, religion, color, sex, national origin or disability—and the courage and intellectual integrity to bring alternate facts and opinions into open conversation
• Ingenuity and imagination in creating projects, programs and products to deepen the contact between foreign intellectuals, artists and professionals and their US counterparts
• Familiarity with global affairs and foreign languages, to deepen substantive discussion between US and foreign intellectuals, scholars and professionals
• Patience, wisdom and generosity in helping new colleagues, both international and US, develop their careers
• Special skill in promoting collaborations between US and foreign institutions and high‐quality exchange opportunities with the civil sector.

Jodie Lewinsohn Career Achievement Award

The Jodie Lewinsohn Career Achievement Award honors the most accomplished and longest-serving Locally Employed Staff members, particularly those who are nearing retirement. It is named for a distinguished U.S. Information Agency Foreign Service Officer who was a close friend and mentor to Lois Roth and who also served as the head of the Public Affairs Section at the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa, when Gill Jacot-Guillarmod was working there. In 2022, Jodie left a legacy in her will to endow this award in perpetuity. This award recognizes those who are nearing the end of their careers for long-standing dedication to their work and their success in what Gill described as “helping the United States while helping your own country.” 

Nomination Process

Every spring, the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs will internally circulate details regarding nominations for the four Lois Roth Foundation Awards. State Department supervisors are invited to submit nominations in all four categories.

In 2025, the Community Foundation of Madison & Jefferson County awarded over $233,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors of the county’s public and private high schools. Nearly 50 different students earned money toward their college costs. Scholarships are available for a variety of applicants. Some are specific to schools, majors, need, or interests.

CFMJC scholarships may be used for tuition and related expenses like fees and required equipment at accredited colleges and universities. Room and board are not covered.

Rainbow Youth Scholarship

Criteria:

• Creative expression submission and letters of recommendation. Financial need will be considered in the event of a tie.

Required materials

• Creative expression submission (ex: essay, short fiction, poetry, artwork, video, song, etc.) demonstrating a dedication/commitment to the interests of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning community; 
• 2 letters of recommendation (one from within the student’s school system (counselor, teacher, etc.) and one from a source outside of the student’s school system); and 3) FAFSA SAI PDF upload

Scholarship amount:

• $1,000 | 1 scholarship - Applicants may choose to be anonymous. If so, no identifying information would be presented to the review committee and no public recognition would be made of the selected winner.

The TKoster’s Charitable Innovated Health Care Award, established by Teresa Koster, aims to enhance students' access to quality health care. With a funding amount of $3,500, this award supports innovative practices in student health centers. It addresses critical areas such as understanding health care needs, improving service delivery, and leveraging technology. Eligible applicants include members of the American College Health Association, encouraged to demonstrate partnerships and financial support in their proposals.

In 2025, the Community Foundation of Madison & Jefferson County awarded over $233,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors of the county’s public and private high schools. Nearly 50 different students earned money toward their college costs. Scholarships are available for a variety of applicants. Some are specific to schools, majors, need, or interests.

Ralph & Robyn Jones Family Memorial Scholarship

Criteria evaluated:

Academic achievement and financial need. Applicants with higher incomes than the eligibility range may be considered if extraordinary financial need can be demonstrated.

Required materials:

• FAFSA SAI PDF upload

Scholarship amount:

• $2,300 | Multiple scholarships may be awarded from this total amount

CFMJC scholarships may be used for tuition and related expenses like fees and required equipment at accredited colleges and universities. Room and board are not covered.