Best Grants for Museums in Illinois

The ALDI Community Gift Card Program provides financial support ranging from $100 to $1,000 to eligible nonprofits and schools that focus on after-school and out-of-school youth programs, as well as food banks. This initiative aims to empower organizations dedicated to child development and combating food insecurity. By applying, you can gain access to essential resources to further your mission and make a positive impact in your community.

The Windgate Charitable Trust Grant supports contemporary craft and visual arts in the U.S. It offers funding for fellowships, residencies, educational outreach, and materials for craft programs. The foundation prioritizes strengthening visual arts in colleges and expanding K-12 art-integrated programs, providing opportunities for artists and educators to enhance their skills and foster creativity among students. Organizations with previous funding from Windgate can apply through the grantee portal.

The Ralph Franzen Charitable Foundation Grant supports faith-based organizations that provide social services, with a focus on Evangelical Christian groups in Illinois. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with an annual budget of at least $1 million. The foundation does not accept applications from individuals, ensuring that funding is directed towards established charitable entities. This grant aims to enhance the impact of social services within the community.

About NCRC

The National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) is a nationwide network of nearly 800 organizations and champions working for a Just Economy, where all Americans can build wealth and provide for their families with stability and dignity.

Our vision: To solve America’s historic racial and socio-economic wealth, income and opportunity divides. This vision is the foundation of the Just Economy Pledge.

NCRC Field Empowerment Fund (FEF) - Housing Counseling Services

The Field Empowerment Fund (FEF) empowers NCRC network members to level up established service lines.

The Housing Counseling Services series within FEF supports HUD-approved housing counseling agencies in driving homeownership, such as through pre-purchase counseling. In addition, the program builds agency knowledge on heirs’ property challenges to better equip first-time and low-income homebuying households with the know-how to retain intergenerational wealth.

In doing so, FEF-HCS aims to help underserved families begin their homeownership journey, with an additional goal of ensuring foresight into the long-term future of their home purchase.

The FEF-HCS series is funded in partnership with Key Bank and HSBC, and targets communities within the Key Bank and HSBC branch footprints.

Through these partnerships, $2.5 million in Key Bank geographies and $1.5 million in HSBC geographies has been allocated for the subgrants for direct-to-client housing counseling services that will be awarded in three rounds in the FEF-HCS track.

Funding Support

Awardee agencies will receive subgrants to support their housing counseling services to clients.

Knowledge Building

Awardee agencies will attend a training session on heirs’ property challenges and best practices, hosted by NCRC National Training Academy. Bolstering counselor knowledge on this topic will ensure that your agency is not only serving clients in their personal wealth-building journey now, but also helping them preserve that wealth in generations to come.

The Summer Youth Employment in the Arts Grant Program, administered by the Illinois Arts Council Agency, supports youth employment opportunities in the arts. Grants of up to $4,500 are available for organizations to hire youth aged 14 to 22, fostering both administrative and artistic duties. This initiative aims to empower young individuals by providing them with hands-on experience in the arts sector while contributing to the overall workforce development in the community.

The ACT on Health Equity Community Solutions Challenge Grant, backed by the Astrazeneca Foundation, aims to enhance health equity by funding community-based nonprofit programs. Since its inception in 2021, it has allocated over $2.6 million to initiatives addressing nutrition, healthcare access, and lung health for historically marginalized populations. Eligible US-based 501(c) organizations can apply, with a focus on projects serving underserved communities and improving health outcomes through targeted support.

The Community Network Anchors RFA aims to strengthen existing Community Networks by fostering collaboration among diverse partners, including mental health providers, schools, and advocacy groups. This initiative is designed to enhance the well-being of families, helping them access essential resources to thrive and mitigate crises. Grant recipients will build on existing materials provided by IDPH and CBHTI, engaging in regular meetings to ensure a robust support system in their communities.

The Cemetery Relief Grant, offered by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, aims to assist local government units and nonprofit organizations in cleaning up abandoned and neglected cemeteries. Applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria, including valid registrations and good standing with state authorities. The funds are strictly designated for cleanup purposes, and grants are not renewable, requiring reapplication for continued assistance.

DeKalb County Farm Bureau Foundation

Mission – The Foundation’s mission is to broaden awareness and understanding of agriculture through outreach and education.

Scholarships

The DeKalb County Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture is proud to offer numerous scholarships for high school seniors and college students. Preference will be given to applicants of Farm Bureau members or their children with certain eligibility requirements.

College Students Scholarships 

The DeKalb County Farm Bureau Foundation endeavors to recognize students for their academic, school and community performance while in college. The recognition is in the form of a scholarship to the student’s school of choice. The scholarship award will be sent directly to the recipient’s school to be applied toward college costs. 

Bob & Norma Wildenradt Ag Scholarship

Bob and Norma Wildenradt established this scholarship to benefit students majoring in an ag-related field of study in pursuit of a future career in agriculture. One $2,000 scholarship will be awarded to a student in their sophomore, junior, or senior year of college within the state of Illinois.

The APS Training/Supervision Assistance Grant, offered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), aims to support Adult Protective Services through reimbursement for supervision and training. With staffing shortages impacting service delivery, this grant incentivizes hiring and retention by providing funds for caseworker training and supervision. Eligible applicants include county and city governments, nonprofit, and for-profit organizations, ensuring a broad base of support for vital protective services in Illinois.

The Illinois Equal Justice Foundation offers Civil Legal Aid Grants totaling approximately $4.8 million. These grants aim to support programs that provide essential legal services to low-income individuals, such as access to basic needs, protection for domestic violence victims, and assistance for seniors facing fraud. Eligible organizations must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) and serve Illinois residents, ensuring services are free or on a sliding scale based on income.

The Rural Business Development Grants in Illinois aim to support small rural businesses with technical assistance and training. Eligible projects must benefit rural areas outside urbanized cities with populations over 50,000. While there is no maximum grant amount, priority is given to smaller requests. Funds can be used for a wide range of purposes, including training, land acquisition, and community economic development, fostering growth and sustainability in rural economies.

The Mutual Self-Help Housing Technical Assistance Grants in Illinois provide essential funding for organizations to support local self-help housing projects. These grants enable very-low- and low-income families to construct their own homes in rural areas, fostering community collaboration and empowerment. Organizations assist by offering technical guidance and supervision, ensuring that families can effectively participate in the building process. This initiative not only helps families achieve homeownership but also strengthens local communities by promoting self-reliance and cooperation.

Illinois government and for-profit entities deploying zero-emission freight-handling equipment and related clean energy infrastructure can access funding through Illinois Environmental Protection Agency in Illinois. This non-competitive program, funded by the US EPA Clean Ports Program, awards US $1,400,000 - US $55,528,309 for equipment like locomotives, trucks, forklifts, on-site solar generation, and battery storage.

The Community Facilities Grant Program in Illinois offers financial assistance to develop essential community facilities in rural areas, such as healthcare, public safety, and educational services. Eligible applicants include public bodies and non-profit organizations serving communities with populations under 20,000. Funding can cover construction, equipment, and project expenses. Grants are awarded based on community income levels, with varying percentages of project costs covered depending on the population size and income criteria.

The Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program in Illinois provides essential funding for clean drinking water, sewage disposal, solid waste management, and storm water drainage in eligible rural areas. It supports projects for the acquisition, construction, or improvement of necessary infrastructure, ensuring that communities have access to reliable services. Eligible applicants include local governments, nonprofits, and federally recognized tribes, fostering sustainable development and public health in underserved areas.

Recreational Corridor Greenways and Trails Planning 

State funding for intergovernmental agreements and grant agreements that support specific projects identified as high priority a Recreational Corridor for repurposing the abandoned railroads. These are non-competitive grants that fund the specific miscellaneous purposes to manage, conserve and protect Illinois' natural, recreational and cultural resources, further the public's understanding and appreciation of those resources, and promote the education, science and public safety of Illinois' natural resources for present and future generations.

This is the third phase of the DNR-assisted program.

• Phase 1 covered Northeastern Illinois.
• Phase 2 covered 10 downstate metro-areas.
• Phase 3 covers non-metro communities and counties, including: Communities greater than 10,000 population that have not already participated in DNR-assisted northeastern Illinois or downstate metro-area greenway and trail planning.

Counties that have not already participated in DNR-assisted Northeastern Illinois or downstate metro-area greenway and trail planning. These counties may participate in the program individually, or in cooperation with one or more other eligible counties. Two or more northeastern Illinois and downstate metro-area coalitions that have (1) completed regional plans (under earlier Phases and (2) demonstrated significant progress in implementing portions of their plans. The goal for this planning is to connect metro-area networks. Interstate coalitions. The goal for this planning is to connect greenways and trails within Illinois to greenways and trails within adjacent states.

The Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation Fund Grants support music education initiatives in Illinois, primarily benefiting nonprofit organizations. Grants are awarded for specific projects, emphasizing collaboration and diverse funding, with a preference for local organizations. Applicants can reapply in subsequent cycles if not funded. The foundation prioritizes impactful projects that address unmet needs in music education, while ensuring that funds are not used for religious purposes, advertising, or political campaigns.

Objective

The intent of the program is to promote Illinois as a travel destination to the international leisure traveler. The International tourism program is important to the State of Illinois' tourism industry to match/leverage local funds with State funds to promote destination drivers, to market and promote attractions and events throughout the State to international travelers to ultimately impact the economic growth of the tourism industry.

The International Tourism Grant Program is important to the State of Illinois' tourism industry to match/leverage local funds with State funds to promote destinations that are of interest to international travelers. The goal of the program is to increase international travel to Illinois by our identified target markets.

Priority funding will be given to those areas with an extensive international product including bookable product with both receptive tour operators and international tour operators. This would include product in tour operator brochures and promotional material. Priority will also be given to those areas with state and national parks, national forests, scenic byways and have sites of historic and cultural significance. 

Award Range

• $10000 - $155000

Nature's Path's Gardens for Good program empowers communities by funding organic gardens that address food insecurity. Since 2010, it has donated $930,000 CAD to support 120 gardens. In 2023, grants of $6,500 each will be awarded to 20 gardens across the U.S. and Canada. Eligible applicants must be registered non-profits with urban organic agriculture projects that serve low-income communities, promoting sustainable practices and inclusivity.

The NRA Foundation provides funding for charitable purposes as defined under IRS section 501(c)(3). Eligible organizations include government entities and IRS-recognized nonprofits. Grant requests must align with the Foundation's mission, which promotes firearms safety, education, and research. Ineligible organizations include labor unions and private businesses. The Foundation aims to support programs that enhance public benefit, particularly in the shooting sports and related educational activities.

FNBO's Community Sponsorships provide vital financial support to nonprofit organizations and community events that enhance the well-being of our communities. By focusing on affordable housing, entrepreneurship, education, environmental sustainability, access to arts and culture, community cohesion, and health, FNBO aims to create impactful partnerships. Monthly reviews of sponsorship requests ensure timely decision-making, emphasizing FNBO's commitment to fostering community development and empowering historically underrepresented populations.

Project Lead The Way (PLTW)

Our Mission: Empower Students to Thrive in an Evolving World

Our Philosophy for Education: We believe all students – beginning at a young age – need access to real-world, applied learning experiences that empower them to gain the skills they need to thrive in college, career, and beyond.

We believe teachers play an immeasurable role in empowering students, and our programs provide teachers with the support and resources they need to devote more time to inspiring students.

PLTW Engineering - New Program In Partnership With Ardagh Group

Ardagh Group has partnered with PLTW to support education in its local communities where Ardagh employees live and work. This partnership recognizes the critical role education, and access to education, plays in ensuring equal opportunities and in building successful, vibrant communities. It is expected that over the next 10 years, Ardagh sponsored education programs will benefit more than 500,000 PreK-12 students as well as delivering best-in-class teacher training to more than 5,000 teachers across 2,000 schools in Ardagh's U.S. communities.

Ardagh is a global supplier of sustainable packaging solutions with 16,000+ employees worldwide, and proud local employer.

Program Requirements

The purpose of this grant is to assist the grantee's implementation of the PLTW Engineering program. Grantee must offer the PLTW Engineering program for three academic years. Grantee must offer at least one PLTW Engineering course in the 2027-2028 academic year and must offer one additional course in the 2028-2029 academic year (two different courses in two years). Grantee may implement any PLTW Engineering courses of their choosing. Grantee must complete three years of grant reporting.

The New Era Scholarship, offered by The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis, provides up to $12,000 annually for eligible students from select youth development agencies and high schools in the St. Louis area. This renewable scholarship supports those aiming to attend accredited colleges or technical schools in Missouri and select Illinois institutions. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and meet academic criteria, making this an essential opportunity for local high school seniors.

The Health Information Outreach Award, funded by the National Library of Medicine, aims to enhance access to essential health information for underrepresented populations and healthcare professionals. This initiative focuses on improving health literacy and equity through diverse projects, including training, technology access, and community outreach. Eligible organizations from select Midwestern states can apply, prioritizing innovative solutions that address health disparities and promote informed health decisions among vulnerable communities.

The End Student Housing Insecurity (ESHI) Grants aim to assist Illinois institutions in implementing the Higher Education Housing and Opportunities Act. The grants focus on designating liaisons and enhancing support for students facing homelessness. With funding of $1.8 million for FY 2025 and 2026, the initiative addresses systemic issues of housing insecurity, promoting equity and support for at-risk youth and students in care, ensuring their basic needs are met.

The Kott Gerontology Scholars Program, established by the Russell & Josephine Kott Memorial Charitable Trust, provides funding to advanced degree students in the field of aging attending Chicagoland universities. This initiative aims to enhance opportunities and quality of life for older adults through educational internships and skill development. Scholars receive a $10,000 scholarship, gaining hands-on experience by completing a 600-hour internship, fostering a pipeline of professionals committed to supporting the senior community.