Best Grants for Charities in Illinois

The Latin Americans United for Progress Dream Scholarship, administered by the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area, supports Hispanic students pursuing post-secondary education. Applicants must be graduating seniors or early college students, demonstrate financial need, and submit a personal statement. With over $1 million awarded annually in scholarships, this program aims to empower the next generation of leaders from the Hispanic community, promoting educational advancement and cultural appreciation.

The Young Investigators Research Forum offers a unique opportunity for early career sleep scientists to enhance their research skills. Funded by the AASM Foundation, this program provides travel scholarships for participants to attend the 2025 forum in Bethesda, MD. Participants will engage with senior investigators, learn about funding mechanisms, and refine their research proposals. This forum is designed to build a supportive network, fostering collaborations and mentorship in the field of sleep and circadian research.

The Cancer Center Support Grants (CCSGs) aim to bolster NCI-Designated Cancer Centers through funding that supports diverse research activities. These grants enhance comprehensive, clinical, and basic cancer research while fostering collaboration among institutions. The program prioritizes interdisciplinary approaches to advance cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, ultimately reducing cancer's impact on public health. CCSGs also facilitate resource sharing, administrative support, and the development of innovative research initiatives.

The NACRJ Impact Grant, initiated in 2016, has provided over $60,000 to NACRJ members to support community and restorative justice projects. This grant is available annually, offering up to $3,000 to members for innovative initiatives that foster community impact. By applying, members can gain funding, visibility, and networking opportunities within the NACRJ and the broader restorative justice community, helping to empower meaningful projects that align with restorative justice principles.

Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area

Our Mission

The Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area seeks to ensure that our community thrives today, tomorrow, and forever by building our Community’s Endowment to support high impact charitable projects, helping donors achieve their charitable goals, and leading and partnering in community-level initiatives.

Scholarships

CFHZ awards over $1 million in scholarships each year for students to attend schools of higher education throughout the nation. Our scholarships are possible thanks to the generosity of donors who invest in our community’s future by furthering the education of others.

All Holland/Zeeland area individuals interested in post-secondary education are encouraged to apply for CFHZ scholarships.

The Foundation proudly administers over 100 scholarships, each with unique eligibility criteria that must be met before a candidate can be considered.

Kaminski Family Scholarship

• Graduating senior who attends public, private, or home school in the primary service area of the Community Foundation
• Enrolling in a 2 or 4-year degree program at an accredited post-secondary school (including vocational/technical school) within the United States
• Financial need (must submit the page of the FAFSA Submission Summary showing the Student Aid Index amount)

The NACRJ Mini-Grants provide funding of up to $500 for projects promoting community and restorative justice. Launched in 2016, the initiative has allocated over $60,000 to support NACRJ members nationwide. This unique opportunity fosters impactful projects and enhances visibility within the restorative justice community. Applications are accepted biannually, with a focus on empowering organizations and individuals committed to restorative practices. Members are encouraged to apply for this essential funding to further their meaningful endeavors.

The Established Investigator Bridge Funding Award, supported by the ACG Institute for Clinical Research and Education and the American College of Gastroenterology, offers $300,000 in funding over two years for established researchers facing funding gaps. Designed for clinical gastroenterology and hepatology, this grant aims to sustain impactful research programs during federal funding lapses. Eligible applicants must be ACG members and have at least eight years of experience post-training, along with a proven track record of federal funding in relevant fields.

The Active Fund Grant, offered by the Kelly Brush Foundation, supports individuals with paralysis from spinal cord injuries in acquiring adaptive sports equipment. This initiative aims to foster active lifestyles and inclusivity through sports. First-time applicants are prioritized for the Fall 2025 cycle, with grants averaging around $3,500, though they can vary. Eligible applicants can receive full or partial awards or a Try-It-First grant to gain experience with the equipment. For guidelines, please refer to the provided FAQs.

Hubertus W. V. Willems Scholarship

The Hubertus W. V. Willems Scholarship is one of many funding opportunities available to students through NAACP's Inspire Initiatives. We offer scholarships to outstanding and qualified students pursuing undergraduate degrees. Through the generosity of our donors, we advance efforts to ensure equity in educational opportunity that prepares students for success in school, work, and life.

Scholarship amount:

• $3,000

This a non-renewable scholarship opportunity.

The Leonidas Berry Health Equity Research Award, presented by the ACG Institute, honors Dr. Leonidas H. Berry and supports innovative research aimed at reducing health disparities among underrepresented groups in gastrointestinal health. With a funding opportunity of $75,000 over two years, this award encourages eligible U.S. or Canadian physicians to develop impactful research careers that enhance our understanding of health equity in gastrointestinal practice. Applications are open until June 30, 2028.

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.

AISD 125th Anniversary Consolidated Scholarship

Attending four-year university, two-year college or trade school.

Awards

• (16) $1,200.00

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a collection of individual funds and resources given by local citizens to enhance and support the quality of life in the Fox River Valley of Illinois.

We are a tax-exempt public charity that allows individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations to establish permanent endowments and temporary funds within the confines of one large foundation.

Foundation funds are used to provide grants to non-profit organizations and scholarships to area students. The Foundation also hosts a Youth Engagement in Philanthropy (YEP) program, which helps high school students learn more about philanthropy and empowers them to make a difference in the community.

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley serves the City of Aurora, Kane County, and Kendall County within the State of Illinois.

Scholarship Program

Scholarships are available to local students who will attend an accredited post-secondary institution within the United States of America on a full-time basis.

Erlenborn Family Scholarship Endowment Fund

A bequest was received in 1983 from the estate of Viola Erlenborn (1900-1983) to provide scholarships to local students in memory of her husband and son.

In 2002, the Foundation reestablished the fund as an endowment to ensure ongoing recognition of her generosity.

Her husband Alan Erlenborn (1895-1962) served as a first lieutenant in the United States Army during World War I.

After the war, he joined his father Albert J. Erlenborn in the family business on River Street in Aurora.

Albert Erlenborn founded the firm in 1889 as a seed, fertilizer and paper supply company.

Alan Erlenborn later became president and owner of the company, which was renamed Erlenborn Office Supplies.

Alan Erlenborn, Jr. (1921-1944), whose photo is above on the right, served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II and was assigned to the South Pacific in April 1944.

He died in July of that year during active duty in Guam. He received the Purple Heart Medal and is buried in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Dissertation Grants

With support from the National Science Foundation, the American Educational Research Association (AERA) Grants Program seeks proposals for Dissertation Grants. The AERA Grants Program provides advanced graduate students with research funding and professional development and training. The program supports highly competitive dissertation research using rigorous quantitative methods to examine large-scale, education-related data. The aim of the program is to advance fundamental knowledge of relevance to STEM education policy, foster significant science using education data, promote equity in STEM, and build research capacity in education and learning. Since 1991, this AERA Program has been vital to both research and training at early career stages.

The Grants Program encourages the use of major data sets from multiple and diverse sources. It emphasizes the advanced statistical analysis of data sets from the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and other federal agencies. The program also supports studies using large-scale international data systems (e.g., PISA, PIRLS, or TIMMS) that benefit from U.S. federal government support. In addition, statewide longitudinal administrative data systems (SLDS) enhanced through federal grants are also eligible for consideration. The inclusion of federal or state administrative information that further expands the analytic capacity of the research is permissible. The thrust of the analysis needs to be generalizable to a national, state, or population or a subgroup within the sample that the dataset represents.

The Grants Program is open to field-initiated research and welcomes proposals that:

• develop or benefit from advanced statistical or innovative quantitative methods or measures;
• analyze more than one large-scale national or international federally funded data set, or more than one statewide longitudinal data system (SLDS) or incorporate other data enhancements;
• integrate, link, or blend multiple large-scale data sources; or
• undertake replication research of major findings or major studies using large-scale, federally supported or enhanced data.

The Grants Program encourages proposals across the life span and contexts of education and learning of relevance to STEM policy and practice. The research may focus on a wide range of topics, including but not limited to such issues as student achievement in STEM, analysis of STEM education policies, contextual factors in education, educational participation and persistence (pre-kindergarten through graduate school), early childhood education and development, postsecondary education, and the STEM workforce and transitions. Studies that examine issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion across STEM topics and/or for specific racial and ethnic groups, social classes, genders, or persons with disabilities are encouraged.

Award

• Award Component 1 - $27,500 Stipend
• Award Component 2 - AERA Research and Training Conference
• Award Component 3- AERA Annual Meeting Capstone Research Institute

The budget must include funds to attend the AERA Annual Meeting. The funds can be used for research-related expenses such as tuition, living expenses, travel to secure data enclaves or scholarly conferences, books, computer equipment, and other expenses directly related to conducting this research. AERA encourages cost sharing from universities in the form of tuition assistance, office space, university fees, and other expenses.

The Gerald Kahan Scholar's Prize, awarded by the American Society for Theatre Research, honors the best essay published in English in a refereed scholarly journal or edited collection within the field of theater research. Eligible authors must be untenured and within seven years of their doctorate or enrolled in a doctoral program. The prize includes a $500 honorarium and complimentary registration for the ASTR annual meeting, acknowledging the editor's contribution to scholarship.

The Career Development Grants in American Music, offered by the American Musicological Society, provide $800 and free registration to the Annual Meeting for students and educators interested in American music. This initiative aims to enhance knowledge and professional connections through participation in activities at the AMS Annual Meeting in Minneapolis. Applicants must be legal U.S. residents and provide information about their educational status and relevant research interests.

The ASTR Teacher-Researchers Grant supports faculty with heavy teaching loads and limited research resources in theatre studies. This grant fosters scholarly exchange by providing an honorarium of up to $1000, complimentary conference registration, and a one-year ASTR membership. Applications are evaluated based on project feasibility and significance, with additional consideration for those facing institutional research support challenges. This initiative aims to enhance diversity and facilitate meaningful contributions to the field.

The Ernest L. Pellegri Scholarship, offered by the National Italian American Foundation, supports outstanding Italian American students pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees in Latin or related fields. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher. This scholarship aims to encourage the preservation of Italian culture and heritage while promoting academic excellence within the community.

The ASTR Theater and Performance Art Studies Research Fellowships provide funding for scholars conducting significant research in theatre and performance studies. With awards up to $3000, these fellowships support academic projects, allowing recipients to cover various research expenses. Eligible applicants include anyone holding a terminal degree and a member of ASTR, with the selection based on project merit. However, applicants cannot seek a Targeted Research Area Grant for the same project in the same year.

The Filomena C. Peloro Scholarship, offered by the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF), aims to support outstanding Italian American students pursuing undergraduate or graduate studies. Applicants must maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher and demonstrate financial need, alongside an active NIAF membership. This scholarship emphasizes cultural heritage and the contributions of Italians to American society, fostering academic excellence and community engagement among students.

The Frank D. Stella Scholarship, offered by the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF), supports outstanding undergraduate students of Italian descent pursuing business-related fields. Applicants must maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher and hold an active NIAF membership, which can also be from a parent or grandparent. This initiative encourages the preservation of Italian culture and heritage while fostering academic excellence among Italian American students.

The American Society for Theatre Research (ASTR) David Keller Travel Grants support untenured scholars with terminal degrees in attending the annual ASTR conference. With up to three $800 honorariums and complimentary registration, the grants aim to foster active participation in the organization. Eligible recipients include independent scholars and adjunct faculty, with selection based on their interest and achievements in scholarship and service. This initiative enhances networking and professional development within the theatre research community.

The Furci Family Scholarship Fund, offered by the National Italian American Foundation, supports outstanding Italian American undergraduate students enrolled in at least 10 credits of Italian language or studies. Applicants must maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher and hold an active NIAF membership, which can be through a parent or grandparent. This scholarship aims to promote the rich Italian heritage and culture among future generations.

The Joseph and Margaret Rhodes Scholarship, offered by the National Italian American Foundation, is aimed at outstanding Italian American undergraduate students. Eligible candidates must complete 6 or more credits in Italian studies, maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5, and demonstrate active community service. Applicants must also hold an active NIAF membership, which can include familial memberships. This scholarship supports the preservation of Italian heritage and culture through education.

The LaMantia Family Scholarship, offered by the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF), aims to support outstanding Italian American students pursuing studies in computer science or STEM fields. Applicants must maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher and hold an active NIAF membership, which can be obtained through a parent or grandparent. This scholarship promotes the importance of Italian heritage while encouraging academic excellence in the next generation of leaders.

The Evelyn Dunbar and Ruth Dunbar Davee Fellowship, established in 1887 by The Newberry Library, supports scholars in music research related to the Newberry’s extensive collections. This long-term fellowship allows recipients to immerse themselves in innovative projects for four to nine months, fostering new interpretations and advancements in scholarship. Open to scholars with a PhD or equivalent degree, the fellowship encourages applications that effectively utilize the library's resources, enhancing the understanding of historical music scholarship.

The ASTR Thomas Marshall Graduate Student Awards aim to support graduate students researching theatre or performance by assisting with the costs of attending the annual ASTR conference. This grant offers up to three honorariums of $800 each, along with complimentary conference registration. Eligibility is open to any graduate student in relevant fields, with selection based on the applicant’s interest and academic achievements.