Best Grants for Charities in Illinois

The Illinois Racing Board Charity Grant provides essential Wellness Services to individuals working or residing at Illinois' pari-mutuel race tracks. With over $26 million allocated over 30 years, the program ensures access to medical, dental, and counseling services. For 2024, approximately $767,193 is available for grants, supporting non-profit organizations that can demonstrate a commitment to the well-being of backstretch residents. Eligible applicants must meet specific requirements, including prior IRS approval and a solid project plan.

The Guy A. and N. Kay Arboit Charitable Trust Grant, administered by First American Bank, focuses on supporting education for underprivileged individuals, funding cardiac and cancer research, and endorsing religious activities, especially those tied to the Catholic Church. Grants are primarily available to organizations in the greater Chicago area that face challenges in accessing other funding sources, ensuring targeted assistance where it is most needed.

The Levin Family Foundation Grant supports nonprofits focused on critical issues in Montgomery County, Ohio, such as the opiate epidemic, human trafficking, anti-bullying, and suicide prevention. Established in 1996, the foundation has invested over $12 million globally, emphasizing projects that align with its mission. Eligible organizations must be IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt. Priority is given to initiatives in the Greater Dayton Area, fostering positive community impact.

The Looking Out Foundation Grant supports social justice and humanitarian initiatives, having donated nearly $6 million to various causes globally. With an average donation of $25 per campaign, it aids organizations focused on disaster relief, racial justice, and support for marginalized communities. Eligible applicants must be tax-exempt public charities under Section 501(c)(3). The foundation prioritizes diverse funding sources and encourages organizations to adapt to changing needs, with grant allocations ranging from $5,000 to $25,000.

The Business Attraction Prime Sites program, administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, aims to foster economic growth by supporting large-scale capital investments. This initiative targets companies relocating or expanding in Illinois, promoting job creation through diverse projects, including infrastructure development. Eligible applicants must commit to significant investments and job creation, contributing to a robust economic landscape in the state. The program aligns with strategic industry focuses outlined in the Illinois Economic Plan.

The United Way of Greater St. Louis Targeted Funding aims to provide flexible, one-year grants to nonprofits addressing urgent community needs through emergency, emergent, or innovative approaches. Funding will focus on basic needs, health and wellness, crisis response, and more across 16 counties. Priority will be given to areas identified as having the greatest needs based on recent assessments, ensuring that support is directed where it is most needed.

The Kosciuszko Foundation offers Tuition Scholarships for American students of Polish descent pursuing graduate studies in the U.S. Scholarships can provide up to $12,000 for full-time studies, including master's and Ph.D. programs. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal residents with Polish heritage and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. This program aims to foster educational exchanges and cultural understanding between the U.S. and Poland, supporting various fields of study.

Notice of Funding Opportunity

Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) VAWA – Culturally Specific 2026 NOFO # 1744-0618

The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority is requesting proposals for NOFO # 1744-0618, VAWA Culturally Specific grants. A total of $825,000 in funding in Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is available through this solicitation for use over a period of 12 months.

The Culturally Specific Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) will support the development, enhancement, and expansion of culturally specific victim services. This funding opportunity supports efforts to raise public awareness of victim services, particularly for culturally specific communities. The goal of the Culturally Specific Program is to establish, maintain, and expand sustainable, culturally appropriate services that address the unique needs and challenges of victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking from culturally specific communities.

This funding opportunity addresses an important need and service gap identified in Illinois: culturally specific services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking.

Division of Early Childhood

The Department of Human Services Division of Early Childhood (DEC) was established as a standalone IDHS division in 2021 to help strengthen and centralize the state's existing child care, home visiting, and early intervention programs, as well as operationalize and create administrative capacity to establish sustainable infrastructure needs in order to streamline services.

Working hand-in-hand with local communities throughout Illinois, the Division of Early Childhood provides low-income, working families with access to quality, affordable child care; administers community-based prevention and intervention programs; and helps all children between the ages of birth to three with disabilities or delays, to learn and grow.

480-50-3708 Migrant and Seasonal Head Start

Description

Scope of Work

Provide a full-day, comprehensive Head Start child development program to children, ages six weeks to six years, from migrant and seasonal farm-worker families. Program includes early childhood education, school readiness, developmental assessment, mental health screening, field trips, project work, immunizations, nutritious meal service and medical and dental examinations, completion of dental and medical treatment for children who need it, social-service referrals and transportation services.

Announcement Type: Renewal

The Old National Bank Foundation offers grants to nonprofit organizations for community impact initiatives across Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Focused on four key areas—Affordable Housing, Workforce Development, Economic Development, and Financial Empowerment—the foundation prioritizes programs that support underrepresented communities. Organizations must have 501(c)(3) status and align with the foundation’s funding priorities to qualify for grants, which can be applied for every two years.

The Illinois Community Canopy: Tree Removal Grant Program, funded by Trees Forever, aims to assist communities in managing their tree canopies by providing grants for the removal of dead, dying, or damaged trees. This initiative is crucial for safety and environmental health, especially in areas affected by the Emerald Ash Borer and natural disasters. Eligible communities can also apply for tree planting grants to replace the removed trees, fostering a sustainable urban ecosystem.

The Sachs Family Foundation Grant aims to enhance the quality of life for economically and educationally disadvantaged individuals and families. The Foundation supports self-sustaining charitable organizations focusing on economic and educational opportunities, particularly in low-income communities in the U.S. and developing countries. Grants are available for various initiatives, including education, housing, and job training, with a keen interest in programs that demonstrate clear potential for sustainability.

The Illinois Climate Pollution Reduction Grants - Stretch Code Adoption Grant aims to support local governments in implementing the Illinois Stretch Energy Code. The program provides up to $200,000 for education, community engagement, and technical assistance, facilitating the adoption of the stretch code in 90 municipalities over five years. This initiative seeks to enhance energy efficiency and reduce emissions in both new and existing buildings, ensuring municipalities have the resources needed for successful integration.

The Illinois Climate Pollution Reduction Grant's Community Geothermal Planning and Pilots Phase One Grants aim to accelerate the deployment of community-scale geothermal energy systems. The initiative focuses on reducing carbon pollution by over 15,000 metric tons by 2030 and serving 1,100 households. With funding for planning and design of projects, this program seeks to create replicable and cost-effective geothermal solutions that contribute to significant greenhouse gas reductions, fostering sustainable energy practices in Illinois.

The Japan – U.S. Global Partnership Grant Program aims to foster collaborative projects addressing global issues through partnerships between Japanese and American organizations. It focuses on policy-oriented research and dialogue among diverse professionals, including academia and grassroots practitioners. Key thematic areas include resilience, inclusivity, and advancements in science and technology. Projects outside these themes may also be eligible if aligned with grant goals, covering topics like climate change, public health, and digital transformation.

The Doree Taylor Charitable Foundation supports charitable organizations focused on basic provisions for underserved populations, humane care of animals, health care services, public media, and environmental initiatives. The foundation prioritizes organizations in Boothbay Harbor, Southport, and Brunswick, and encourages requests for general operating support, program support, and capital projects, while maintaining a focus on the impact of their services.

The Field Foundation of Illinois focuses on funding organizations that address systemic issues in under-resourced communities, particularly prioritizing BIPOC-led initiatives. With a commitment to racial equity, they aim to invest 60% of their portfolio in BIPOC organizations across Chicago, supporting efforts in justice and storytelling. Grant requests typically range from $15,000 to $50,000, fostering local partnerships to create impactful social change.

The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation offers grants to support diverse initiatives, including museums, educational programs, and environmental activities. Aiming to make a significant impact with modest funding, the Foundation targets IRS-qualified non-profits in the U.S. Grants typically range from $1,000 to $20,000, fostering community development and enhancement. Organizations focused on youth, seniors, and individuals with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply, as the Foundation seeks to empower those in need.

Illinois Department of Public Health

Assuring the quality of our food, setting the standards for hospital and nursing home care, checking the safety of recreation areas, overseeing the inspection of milk producing farms and processing plants, maintaining the state's vital records and screening newborns for genetic diseases are just some of the duties of the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).

IDPH is organized into 12 offices, each of which addresses a distinct area of public health. Each office operates and supports numerous ongoing programs and is prepared to respond to extraordinary situations as they arise.

Mission Statement: The Illinois Department of Public Health is an advocate for and partner with the people of Illinois to re-envision health policy and promote health equity, prevent and protect against disease and injury, and prepare for health emergencies.

Dementia Caregiver Program for Underserved Populations

Short Description

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Dementia Program will provide general revenue funds to develop and deliver education and support for caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders (ADRD) from four diverse groups: Component 1- Black Americans, Component 2-Hispanic/Latinx Americans, Component 3-Asian Americans, and Component 4-Rural Caregivers. The purpose of the Dementia Caregiver Program for Underserved Populations grant is to increase awareness, education, support, and community connection for caregivers of people living with ADRD in order to reduce stress, empower, and support caregivers from diverse populations, as well as reduce barriers and stigma that prevent access to care. This new grant program aims to support strategies from the 2026-2029 Illinois Alzheimer’s Disease State Plan, including to identify and partner with community-based organizations to assist in the dissemination of culturally responsive caregiving resources and support (Public Education and Awareness 2.E.6) and to promote awareness and use of evidence-based caregiver education (Service Delivery 3.D.3.a). Many of the activities in this program will also align with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Healthy Brain Initiative, including to Ensure caregivers have information, tools and resources about their vital role and ways to maintain their own health and well-being, Action E-7 from the Healthy Brain Initiative: State and Local Road Map for Public Health, 2023-2027 (cdc.gov). Federal Authorization N/

Objective

The granted organization will educate caregivers about the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders (ADRD), best care practices, culturally appropriate community resources, and increase the caregiver’s level of confidence when advocating and discussing ADRD with healthcare professionals on behalf of care recipients. Grantees will recruit caregivers from the targeted communities listed to participate in the program. Grantees will provide all necessary materials to educate caregivers including but not limited to Wi-Fi and technical support, electronic device access (i.e., borrowing system), multilingual ADRD caregiver handbooks, and any other materials deemed necessary to educate caregivers. The granted organization will be responsible for promoting the trainings to the targeted audience of caregivers identified, registering and on-boarding the attendees for all trainings, creating and providing the educational content, facilitating the training events, administering pre and post-tests, arranging online support groups, and setting up in-person memory cafes to be offered to caregivers and care recipients with ADRD.

Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation

The Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation (ILCHF) has a single vision that: every child in Illinois grows up healthy. Working with grantee partners across the state, ILCHF focuses its grant making on identifying and funding solutions to address the barriers that prevent children from accessing the ongoing healthcare they need, with a primary focus on children’s oral health and mental health.

ILCHF was created in December 2002 through an action of then-Attorney General Jim Ryan and an Illinois insurance carrier. This action and a settlement of approximately $125 million established Illinois’ only statewide private foundation focused solely on the health needs of children. Since inception, ILCHF has awarded approximately $149 million in nearly 900 grants to more than 300 organizations across the state.

“Bright Minds, Bright Smiles”: Mental and Oral Health Integration Initiative

The Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation (ILCHF) seeks to provide 20 three-year grants of up to $300,000 each (for a total investment of $6,000,000) to eligible children’s safety-net organizations that are sustaining and enhancing the coordination of existing children’s mental health or oral health services for Illinois children from vulnerable communities.

Examples of eligible projects include, but are not limited to, sustaining direct service provision to children, strengthening care coordination, enhancing referral networks, expanding co-located services in community settings, and building capacity to better serve children enrolled in Medicaid.

ILCHF is proud to support organizations working to strengthen the children’s healthcare safety net across Illinois and ensure that every child in Illinois grows up healthy.

The EEAI Mini-Grants program supports projects aimed at educating communities about environmental issues and enhancing ecological understanding. With grants of up to $350, successful proposals demonstrate a sustainable impact, such as integrating classroom curricula with experiential learning. Eligible applicants include Illinois educators who are members of the Environmental Education Association of Illinois (EEAI). This competitive grant process encourages innovative approaches to environmental education.

The Hearst Foundation: Culture Grant aims to support outstanding nonprofits that enhance cultural engagement and artistic talent in the U.S. With a focus on programs that reach young people, the grant prioritizes organizations that create lasting impacts in the arts and sciences. The Foundation allocates 25% of its funding to cultural initiatives, favoring established organizations with a history of significant results. Eligible nonprofits must encourage inclusivity and sustainability in their programs.

What does this program do?

It provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) to:

• To help microenterprises startup and growth through a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund.
• Provide training and technical assistance to microloan borrowers and micro entrepreneurs.

Microenterprise Development Organizations must demonstrate experience in managing a Revolving Loan Fund, or:

• Certify that it or its employees have received education and training from a qualified microenterprise development training entity so that the applicant has the capacity to manage such a revolving loan fund.
• Demonstrate that it is actively and successfully participating as an intermediary lender in good standing under the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Microloan Program or other similar loan programs as determined by the Administrator.

 What kind of funding is available?

• Grants are available to provide technical assistance to rural micro-entrepreneurs or microenterprises, up to $205,000 annually.
  • Funding at the requested level is not guaranteed, and at least 15 percent matching funds are required.
• Loans of $50,000 to $500,000 may be used for establishing a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund managed by the Microenterprise Development Organization.
  • Total aggregate debt is capped at $2.5 million.

What are the loan terms?

• Maximum term is 20 years.
• Two-year payment deferral.
• Must establish a loan loss reserve fund.

What terms are required on loans to ultimate recipients?

• Up to $50,000.
• Fixed interest rate.
• Limited to 75 percent of project cost.

How may the funds be used?

Microlenders may make microloans for qualified business activities and expenses including, but not limited to:

• Working capital.
• Debt refinancing.
• Purchasing equipment and supplies.
• Improving real estate.

SITKA Ecosystem Grants support projects that enhance ecosystems and promote conservation efforts. These grants encourage both grassroots initiatives and larger organizational projects, aiming to improve habitat restoration, biodiversity, and the hunting experience. With funding ranging from $3,000 to $20,000, applicants must be 18 years or older and have relevant experience. The review process is ongoing, and projects should emphasize collaboration and measurable impacts on environmental goals, benefiting both society and ecosystems.

The GIG Fund: Arts and Wellness offers grants ranging from $2,000 to $15,000 to support projects that blend arts and wellness. Open to non-profit organizations, hospitals, and clinics across the Midwest, this fund aims to enhance community well-being through artistic initiatives. Eligible applicants must engage professional artists and provide activities that promote health and creativity. This funding round supports activities occurring between December 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, emphasizing the importance of arts in fostering wellness.

The Illinois Community Canopy Grant Program offers funding for tree inventory and management plans to disadvantaged communities. With up to $25,000 available, this program aims to enhance urban canopies and promote sustainable management practices. Communities can engage certified professionals to complete their inventories, ensuring data accuracy for future tree planting initiatives. Priority is given to those without a complete digital inventory or with outdated data. This initiative supports environmental stewardship and community development.

CAR Specialized Care and Early Education Program

This grant award will have an initial period of performance starting in FY27 (07/01/2026 (or upon execution of the agreement) through 06/30/2029). A budget should be submitted for FY27 only.

Provider will deliver age-appropriate early education, developmental screenings, on-site health services, therapeutic supports, nutritious meals and specialized evidence-based curriculum. Additionally, the Provider will strengthen and stabilize families by assessing their needs and goals, developing service plans and coordinating services, including parent training, support groups, family engagement activities, counseling, and permanency planning, to prevent substitute care placement.

Provider will deliver services to increase access to early childhood education, healthcare and deliver family strengthening support services for children ages six weeks up to kindergarten, whose medical, developmental or behavioral issues would preclude admission to a conventional day care or early learning program. Services delivered shall prevent child abuse/neglect by providing specialized care and early education of children with training and support for their families that promote children’s wellbeing and positive parenting, using evidence-based interventions.

The Provider will be open for between the hours of 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday (excluding agency holidays). Program staff may operate outside the general agency hours based on client needs. Provider will offer the following services:

• high quality early education programs
• on-site health services capable of serving children with a range of medical, developmental and emotional issues
• family advocacy and support services
• mental health assessment, referral and therapy intervention
• parent leadership and engagement activities

Early Childhood Education 

Provider will deliver primary services including annual developmental screenings, ongoing assessment, onsite health services, specialized therapies and evidence-based curriculum. In addition, parents and caregivers are provided with supportive social services, educational health and nutrition education. Following licensing standards, age-appropriate classrooms shall provide learning environments designed to meet the needs of children affected by extreme poverty, illness, and developmental conditions. Provider staff must be specifically trained to provide quality care and early childhood education, to support the families through evidence-based early intervention curricula research-proven programs (ages 0–5) that improve social-emotional, cognitive, and behavioral outcomes.

Upon intake Provider will conduct an assessment and in conjunction with the parent/caregiver, will develop individual service plans for each child and parent/caregiver. Children’s developmental progress will be measured using an evidenced based curriculum and assessment tool, that evaluate children’s physical, social, emotional, cognitive and language development. Provider will use a developmental inventory screening tool to assess multiple developmental domains. Outcomes will be collected three times throughout the program year, and attendance will be accurately tracked and recorded daily at pick-up and drop-off. The Provider will gather parent feedback, both informally and through client surveys and assess parent understanding of child development through self-reports and ongoing staff interaction.

On-site health services 

Provider will offer on-site health services through a full-time, onsite Registered Nurse. The Nurse will conduct initial health intakes, for all children, ensure immunizations and health assessments are current, coordinate hearing, vision, and dental screenings, and collect regular reports from primary care physicians. The on-site nurse will maintain health records, document children’s medical and dental appointments, make home visits, and consult with parents on a child’s specific medical issues. A licensed physician will oversee the on-site nurse and provide consultation and monitoring as needed.

All children will receive an initial health assessment. Children 0-12 months will be reassessed weekly and children 13 months to five years will be reassessed monthly. The on-site Nurse will follow-up with parents when children exams or screenings are due, when further care is recommended, and will document all follow-up actions and appointments. Children will receive on-site hearing and vision screenings every three months.

Family Advocacy and Support services

Will be offered and will include information, resources, and referrals to help families support children’s health and development, family stability, positive parent child relationships, and effective parenting practices. Provider will link parents to partner organizations and external services as needed. These supports advance safety, permanency and wellbeing of high-risk children.

Mental health assessment, referral and therapy intervention services

May be conducted by a licensed mental health or social service professional for child or families as needed.

Parent leadership and engagement activities

Will be offered through parent-teacher conferences, home visits, parent meetings, parent skills training and a voluntary parent advisory council. The Provider will also engage in community strengthening and collaborate with Head Start/Early Head Start agencies, Start Early programs, public school systems and other community based social service providers, maintaining fidelity to Early Head Start and national accreditation standards.

Meals and snacks:

Provider will offer nutritious breakfast, lunch and snack options to children in the program daily.