Best Grants for Charities in Illinois

The Hillman Emergent Innovation Grant supports innovative, nursing-driven solutions aimed at enhancing health equity for marginalized groups, including BIPOC, LGBTQ+ individuals, and others facing healthcare barriers. This program encourages transformative proposals that challenge traditional care strategies, demonstrate best-in-class potential, and showcase scalability. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, government entities, and faith-based organizations that adhere to inclusive practices. Priority is given to proposals fostering community engagement and measurable outcomes.

The Seeding Critical Advances for Leading Energy Technologies (Scaleup) Ready initiative by ARPA-E invites applications for funding to advance transformative energy technologies. This program supports innovative projects that demonstrate potential for significant market disruption and emphasizes rigorous project management and technology risk mitigation. Eligible organizations must have inventions conceived during an ARPA-E award, reported in the iEdison system, and hold relevant U.S. patent applications. For further details, visit ARPA-E's website.

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

Marguerite C. Lucas Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by an anonymous donor, who established the Marquerite C. Lucas Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County in honor of Marquerite Lucas. Marguerite C. Lucas had great passion for education. She stressed the importance of perseverance and a "do what you have to do" attitude to pursue your dreams. Her legacy will continue through this scholarship geared towards helping women pursue an education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. 

The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) focuses on enhancing the lives of parents with disabilities through research, training, and technical assistance. This initiative aims to develop evidence-based services and supports that empower parents in their caregiving roles. Funded by the US HHS: Administration for Community Living (ACL), the project spans 60 months with a commitment to fostering inclusive environments for families. The RRTC will explore innovative interventions and technologies to better support these parents in their daily challenges.

The ASPCA Research Grants for Shelter Research invite proposals in six key areas including Access to Veterinary Care, Applied Behavior Research, and Shelter Research. These grants aim to fund high-quality research that can significantly benefit animal welfare. Eligible investigators from U.S. entities and certain Canadian organizations are encouraged to apply. The program emphasizes collaboration between shelters and researchers, fostering innovative solutions to improve the well-being of animals in shelter settings.

Mary O' Neill Mini Grant

Dr. Barbara O’Neill, an AFCPE member and Past President of AFCPE, has made a restricted donation to AFCPE in honor of her late mother, Mary O’Neill, a financially capable woman. The donation will support an annual $5,000 mini-grant for development and implementation of an innovative, high-impact financial educational nonprofit project. 

Winner is notified by October 1 and announced at AFCPE Symposium.

The SCI Research on the Translational Spectrum (SCIRTS) portfolio aims to promote innovative research that enhances function and alleviates complications following spinal cord injuries. It encourages studies that involve individuals with SCI, emphasizing translational significance in research designs. SCIRTS grants support diverse research areas, including mechanistic, preclinical, and clinical studies, to develop effective interventions. Funding categories include Postdoctoral Fellowships, Pilot Research Grants, and Senior Research Grants, targeting early-career and senior investigators to advance spinal cord injury research.

ASPCA PRO

ASPCApro.org provides tools and resources for animal welfare professionals, veterinary personnel and volunteers. We take a progressive approach to helping the country's at-risk animals, promoting cutting edge research to advance the field.

ASPCA Research Grants

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®) research grants fund high-quality research with a clear potential to benefit animals, either directly or through effecting systems-level change. Proposals to extend existing studies, focused on other disciplines, will also be considered if they can clearly demonstrate substantial potential benefit to animal welfare.

This year we are soliciting proposals in the following six research areas:

• Access to Veterinary Care (AVC) Research
• Applied Behavior Research
• Cruelty Research
• Farm Animal Welfare Research
• Psychological Trauma Research
• Shelter Research

Proposals focused on evaluating the effectiveness of a program or service must demonstrate methodological rigor and a clear plan to produce generalizable scientific knowledge. Please view eligibility information for specific projects from the research area you are interested in. 

Access to Veterinary Care (AVC) Research

Proposals that address AVC for cats, dogs, and equines from any angle (e.g., medical, legal, impact, program delivery, community engagement, veterinary engagement). Ideally, the research will establish tools or guidelines that professionals and organizations can use to improve access to veterinary care.

Proposals that include a shelter-researcher partnership aspect are especially encouraged. Examples include, but are not limited to, inclusion of both shelter and academic staff on the study team, the creation of a shelter-facing deliverable, an implementation prospectus that includes a feasibility assessment and identified partner shelter.

The Limited Competition: Basic Instrumentation Grant (BIG) Program offers funding to NIH-supported researchers for purchasing specialized instruments or integrated systems, with minimum awards of $25,000 and maximum awards reaching $350,000. Eligibility is restricted to institutions that have not received significant S10 funding in recent years. This program aims to enhance research capabilities by providing access to essential technology, thereby fostering scientific innovation and collaboration within the NIH community.

The Shared Instrumentation Grant (SIG) Program supports NIH-funded investigators in acquiring high-cost, specialized instruments, with a minimum award of $50,000 and a maximum of $750,000. Eligible instruments include light microscopes, mass spectrometers, and DNA sequencers, among others. This program aims to enhance research capabilities by enabling the purchase or upgrade of essential equipment for scientific advancement.

The USF Community Impact Grant, established by USA Swimming and the USA Swimming Foundation, aims to enhance competitive opportunities in swimming clubs. Grants of up to $5,000 are available for registered USA Swimming clubs committed to fostering community engagement and collaboration. Eligible clubs can renew their grant for up to three years, promoting diverse access to swimming programs. This initiative particularly supports clubs that partner with educational or public entities and those led by women or minorities.

The Adult Learn-to-Swim Grants, offered by the USA Swimming Foundation in collaboration with U.S. Masters Swimming, aim to enhance swimming safety for adults aged 18 and over. This initiative provides funding to programs that promote swim education, targeting underserved communities. Grants can be used for expenses like pool rentals and scholarships, with a maximum award of $5,000. The goal is to reduce drowning risks and encourage ongoing participation in swimming activities.

The Research With Activities Related to Diversity (ReWARD) program by the NIH aims to enhance research diversity and inclusion across the United States. It supports scientists contributing to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) who lack current NIH funding. The program funds both scientific research and DEIA activities, addressing the needs of various NIH Institutes and Centers to foster a more diverse biomedical research landscape.

The ASTRO Medical Student Fellowship Award for Underrepresented Populations aims to enhance diversity in radiation oncology by supporting medical students from underrepresented backgrounds. Awardees receive a $6,000 package, including a stipend for an eight-week training program, funds for travel expenses, and mentorship opportunities. This initiative is part of ASTRO's broader mission to advance patient care and professional development in the field of radiation oncology, fostering an inclusive environment in medical education.

The NIDCR Dentist Scientist Career Transition Award (K22) supports dentists transitioning from NIH postdoctoral roles to tenure-track faculty positions. It provides two years of mentored research training in the NIH Intramural Research Program, followed by three years of independent research funding at an extramural institution. Key deadlines for grant applications include February 12, 2025, and subsequent dates in June and October 2025, with additional deadlines for renewal and AIDS-related applications.

The Center on Knowledge Translation for Disability and Rehabilitation Research (KTDRR Center) aims to enhance the use of relevant disability and rehabilitation research through effective knowledge translation. Serving as a key resource for NIDILRR grantees and the general public, the KTDRR Center's initiatives will support high-quality research dissemination. The project spans 60 months, including five 12-month budget periods, ensuring ongoing support for researchers and stakeholders in the field.

The Skin Cancer Pilot Research Grants, funded by the Skin Cancer Foundation, support innovative studies in skin cancer prevention, detection, and treatment. With over $2 million awarded since 1981, these grants are aimed at early career dermatology investigators. Each year, researchers can apply for one-year projects, with a total of $125,000 available through two $50,000 grants and one $25,000 grant. This initiative is vital for advancing research and improving patient outcomes.

Community Foundation for Muskegon County

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

The mission of the Community Foundation is to engage donors and connect them with opportunities to make a lasting impact, build community endowment, provide leadership on key issues, and make grants that reflect the communities we serve.

Scholarships

Our scholarship funds seek to empower and encourage Muskegon County residents to pursue their dreams, hone in their gifts, and give back to our community.

If you’re a high school or homeschooled senior, current college student, early college senior, or adult learner, the Community Foundation for Muskegon County may have a scholarship for you. We manage one of the largest scholarship programs in our area, with over $1 million committed to students in over 500 new and renewed scholarships awarded each year.

Dr. Philip H. and Esther J. Frandsen Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Esther Frandsen, who established the Dr. Philip H. and Esther J. Frandsen Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. Esther Frandsen created the Dr. Philip H. and Esther J. Frandsen Scholarship Fund to provide scholarships for students from the Muskegon area who wish to train for careers in medicine or a medical related field. Mrs. Frandsen established the fund to honor the memory of her husband, Philip, who contributed so much to this community as a surgeon, and who worked tirelessly to improve the health of his patients through his surgical skills.

Community Foundation for Muskegon County

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

The mission of the Community Foundation is to engage donors and connect them with opportunities to make a lasting impact, build community endowment, provide leadership on key issues, and make grants that reflect the communities we serve.

Scholarships

Our scholarship funds seek to empower and encourage Muskegon County residents to pursue their dreams, hone in their gifts, and give back to our community.

If you’re a high school or homeschooled senior, current college student, early college senior, or adult learner, the Community Foundation for Muskegon County may have a scholarship for you. We manage one of the largest scholarship programs in our area, with over $1 million committed to students in over 500 new and renewed scholarships awarded each year.

Dorothy Creason Tyler English Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of the Tyler Family, who established the Dorothy Creason-Tyler English Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. This scholarship is intended for graduating seniors from North Muskegon High School, who have an aptitude and passion for English. The scholarship will be awarded to a student who has demonstrated overall academic achievement with a special interest in and passion for reading, writing and discussing the ideas generated from great literature.

The Myocarditis Foundation offers research grants aimed at advancing the understanding and treatment of myocarditis, a rare but serious disease. These grants provide $40,000 in seed funding for promising physician-scientists within ten years of their MD or PhD. Recipients are expected to conduct research in the U.S. or Canada, culminating in a final report. The goal is to support innovative research that can lead to significant breakthroughs and ultimately, a cure for myocarditis.

The Burn Injury Model System Centers aim to enhance burn rehabilitation through innovative research. These centers must create knowledge to improve the health, community engagement, and employment outcomes for individuals affected by burn injuries. Funded by US HHS's Administration for Community Living, grants support site-specific and collaborative research while contributing to a longitudinal database. Each grant has a maximum duration of 60 months, divided into five budget periods, ensuring comprehensive support for ongoing studies.

The Environmental Health Sciences Core Centers Program (P30) invites grant applications to support innovative research in environmental health. These centers serve as critical hubs for advancing the goals of the 2025-2029 NIEHS Strategic Plan, providing essential infrastructure and resources for collaborative research. By fostering community engagement and translational research, the program aims to enhance understanding of the connections between environmental factors, human biology, and disease, ultimately improving public health outcomes.

The Engagement Award: Convening Support fosters meaningful collaboration among patients, caregivers, clinicians, and other stakeholders in research. Initiated by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), this program aims to enhance patient engagement throughout the research process. By providing tools and resources, the award supports initiatives that improve healthcare delivery and outcomes, ensuring that patient perspectives are integral to research efforts.

Ryan Lesher Student Athlete Memorial Scholarship (NCF)

Provides scholarships to Council Rock South and North High Schools for students who participated in multiple sports and maintained a GPA over 3.0.

The NIH Specialized Center Grant (Parent P50) aims to support multidisciplinary research programs with a specific scientific theme. Applicants must include an administrative core, research projects, and at least one resource core, demonstrating collaborative impact and synergy. This funding opportunity encourages innovative approaches to address major scientific objectives, fostering long-term research initiatives aligned with the NIH's mission. Applications should emphasize how their projects interconnect to achieve goals beyond individual efforts.

The AGA Fellowship-to-Faculty Transition Award offers $65,000 per year for two years, totaling $130,000, to clinical and postdoctoral fellows. This funding is intended to support their transition to independent research careers focused on inflammatory bowel disease in gastroenterology. Applicants must hold an MD or equivalent, be in a fellowship position in North America, and demonstrate a commitment to clinical or translational research. AGA membership is required, and applicants should have a mentor who is also an AGA member.