Best Grants for Minorities in Illinois

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.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (the “Department” or “DCEO”) is issuing  this Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) to set forth the requirements for the Film and TV Workforce Training Grant Program funded through the Illinois Production Workforce Development Fund 35 IlCS 16/46. The training program will fund proposals to recruit, hire, promote, retain, develop, and train a diverse and inclusive workforce in the film industry. The training program will provide real-world, practical job skills to fulfill the demand of producers and studios, while providing job opportunities for Illinois residents, including unemployed individuals and individuals with barriers to employment

Federally Qualified Health Centers and FQHC Look-Alikes in Illinois can obtain capital funding for health center construction, renovation, new sites, or equipment purchases serving medically underserved communities. Illinois Capital Development Board, with the Department of Public Health, offers up to US $3,000,000 per project, with five-year grant terms and goals for using minority-, women-, and disability-owned businesses on larger projects.

Nonprofits and organizations in Illinois that provide business training, technical assistance, and resources to socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs can apply for $250,000 - $500,000 through the Illinois Economic Empowerment Centers Program. Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity supports minority, women, disabled, veteran, youth, and dislocated worker entrepreneurs through this initiative.

Agency-specific Content for the Notice of Funding Opportunity Future Energy Jobs Act: Multi-Cultural Jobs Program

A. Program Description

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (the "Department" or "DCEO") is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity ("NOFO" to support the Future Energy Jobs Act Multi-Cultural Jobs Program ("Program") authorized under 220 ILCS 5/16-108.12(a)(3). Through this NOFO, DCEO is making $1.5 million available for eligible applicants to provide skill development, supportive, and training services for qualified, traditionally underserved participants seeking employment in the clean energy industry. Please note that DCEO is posting this second FEJA Multi-Cultural Jobs Program NOFO to identify grantees under Categories C, E and F of the Program as outlined on page 6 of this NOFO

Program Description

The Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA) and Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) were created to stimulate job growth in the clean energy economy with investments in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and clean energy workforce development. The Multi-Cultural Jobs Program provides an opportunity to take action toward providing innovative, employer-driven training approaches that pair education and occupational training with work-based learning and supportive services to individuals in need of self-sustaining employment. It is the goal and objective of the Multi-Cultural Jobs Training program to implement job training programs that:

• Assist in the development of a workforce with the requisite knowledge, skills, training, experience, and competence to work in the clean energy sector.
• Ensure participation of targeted populations and communities
• Identify partnership opportunities within training programs to maximize the societal