Best Library Grants in Illinois

The Community Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grants, administered by the Illinois Finance Authority, aims to deploy over $14 million in federal funds for electric vehicle charging infrastructure. This initiative focuses on expanding access to EV charging in both urban and rural communities, particularly in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. Eligible applicants include government, education, and nonprofit organizations, with a requirement for a 20% cost match. The program prioritizes projects enhancing community-based infrastructure for all Illinois residents.

The Community Possible Grant Program by U.S. Bank aims to foster economic and workforce advancement, as well as safe and affordable housing. By partnering with 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, the program seeks to drive lasting change within communities through collaborative grantmaking. Priority is given to organizations that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, and that address multiple pillars of work, home, and play. This initiative reflects U.S. Bank's commitment to creating a more equitable society.

State Farm's Good Neighbor Citizenship Company Grants aim to enhance community safety, development, and education. Focused on long-term impact, they support initiatives in auto and home safety, disaster preparedness, affordable housing, and educational programs. Eligible recipients include nonprofits, educational institutions, and government entities. However, funding is not available for individuals, religious programs, or organizations outside the U.S. By addressing critical community needs, these grants foster safer and more resilient neighborhoods.

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.

The Hearst Foundation's Social Service Grant focuses on tackling chronic poverty by funding direct-service organizations that implement effective solutions for economic independence and family strengthening. With a mission to support diverse nonprofits in the U.S., the Foundation allocates approximately 15% of its total funding to social services, prioritizing scalable programs that serve significant populations. The minimum grant size is $100,000, and special consideration is given to organizations addressing affordable housing, domestic violence, and youth development.

Roche Corporate Donations and Philanthropy (CDP) focuses on impactful projects that foster sustainable development, engage employees, and leverage Roche's expertise. Their philanthropic efforts prioritize humanitarian, educational, environmental, and cultural initiatives, aiming to build stronger communities and support innovative projects. Eligibility is limited to local organizations, while ineligible projects include those with political or religious ties. The foundation strives to create a positive societal impact through collaboration and strategic partnerships.

The Envisioning Justice Grants by Illinois Humanities support nonprofits using arts and humanities to foster justice and community engagement. With a focus on mass incarceration, these grants prioritize projects that are regional and partnership-oriented, benefiting vulnerable populations. Grants of up to $10,000 are available to applicants across Illinois, particularly from areas with significant incarceration rates. Accessibility and media funds are also offered to enhance project outreach and inclusivity.

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 Dena Epstein Award for Archival and Library Research in American Music, established by the Music Library Association in 1995, honors the legacy of Dena Epstein, who significantly contributed to the field of American music research. This award supports research in archives and libraries globally, focusing on any aspect of American music. Open to all applicants regardless of age, nationality, or profession, proposals are evaluated solely on merit, encouraging diverse explorations of America's musical heritage.

Illinois Humanities offers General Operating Grants to support organizations dedicated to the humanities across Illinois. These grants empower cultural institutions, museums, and community organizations by providing unrestricted funds to enhance their sustainability and outreach. By fostering public engagement and dialogue, the initiative aims to address civic issues and promote inclusivity within historically under-resourced communities. With grants of up to $10,000, the program reinforces the importance of humanities in creating a just and connected society.

The Bayer Fund Health & Wellness Grant Program aims to support organizations that provide education and resources for patients and caregivers facing cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Grants focus on assisting communities, particularly the African American population, in managing these health issues. Funding covers educational services, disease awareness, and access to care, with all activities to commence post-funding decisions. Eligible organizations must hold a 501(c)(3) status and operate within 55 miles of Bayer sites.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is launching a funding opportunity aimed at enhancing blood pressure control through community-clinical linkages. This initiative focuses on building partnerships with community organizations to address social service needs, improve health outcomes, and reduce disparities in cardiovascular health. Targeting populations at highest risk of hypertension, the program seeks to foster multidisciplinary collaborations that facilitate access to vital resources and support for better health management.

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 Judith McCulloh Fellowship, awarded by the Society for American Music, honors the legacy of Judith McCulloh by supporting research on folk-based music cultures in the Americas. Open to scholars at any career stage, it funds expenses related to research centers or fieldwork, with a maximum award of $1,000. This initiative fosters significant contributions to the understanding of American music and encourages innovative outreach and educational programs.

Insperity's Corporate Contributions program emphasizes community involvement and corporate citizenship, providing philanthropic grants and event sponsorships to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Eligible organizations must engage Insperity employees or contribute to the communities where they operate. The program aims to support nonprofits in achieving their service goals and enhancing community welfare. Applications must be submitted 90 days prior to events, and funding requests can be made once a year.

The Illinois Equal Justice Foundation (IEJF) provides funding to support domestic violence prevention through self-help legal assistance projects. Grants are available to Illinois-based organizations that offer legal advice and assistance to individuals navigating the legal system, particularly in noncriminal matters. The funding aims to empower survivors of domestic violence by ensuring they have access to essential legal resources. This initiative is part of the state's fiscal year 2025 budget, focusing on enhancing legal support for low-income individuals.

Healing Illinois, led by the Illinois Department of Human Services, is granting over $4.3 million to nonprofits for the 2025-2026 cycle, focusing on fostering racial and community healing. Since 2020, the program has supported healing initiatives across Illinois, engaging thousands in transformative projects that emphasize storytelling, dialogue, and the reclamation of community spaces. With an aim to reach over 20,000 residents in 30 counties, this initiative promotes resilience and connection among diverse communities.

The American Trust for the British Library-Newberry Transatlantic Fellowship offers scholars the opportunity to conduct research in both the British Library and the Newberry Library. This fellowship, which lasts at least one month and provides a stipend of $5,000 per month, encourages innovative research utilizing primary source materials from both institutions. Open to all scholars, including those at the ABD stage, it aims to foster transatlantic scholarly collaboration.

The Herzog August Bibliothek Wolfenbüttel Joint Fellowship offers researchers a unique opportunity to conduct scholarly work for two months, combining resources from both the Newberry Library and the Herzog August Bibliothek in Germany. This fellowship supports scholars at various stages, including ABD candidates, providing a stipend of $3,000 plus additional funding for travel. Ideal for both domestic and international applicants, this fellowship fosters a collaborative research environment while promoting the exploration of historical collections.

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a public charitable foundation based in Aurora, Illinois, dedicated to improving quality of life across the Fox River Valley, including the Greater Aurora area and Kane and Kendall counties. The Foundation partners with donors to fulfill philanthropic goals by managing charitable funds and distributing grants and scholarships that address local needs in areas such as education, health and human services, arts and culture, and community development, while ensuring responsible stewardship of resources to create lasting community impact.

Barbara Burgin & Edwin & Carol Ehrhart Scholarship Endowment Fund

This fund was created to provide scholarships to students pursuing careers that will positively impact the environment and its inhabitants. Barbara Burgin (1907-1993) was born on a farm near Wheaton, Illinois. She later moved to Aurora, where she lived most of her life. During World War II, Mrs. Burgin was a butcherette at the Kroger Grocery Store in downtown Aurora. When the men returned from the war and assumed those positions, she became manager of several departments at Krogers. Her daughter Carol Ehrhart (1932-2018) was born in Aurora. A graduate of East Aurora High School, Mrs. Ehrhart was employed at Lyon Metal in Aurora. In 2008, she received an award from the City of Aurora as one of the city’s Volunteers of the Year. Mrs. Ehrhart volunteered for the Aurora Public Library and the Friendly Center Club at the Fox Valley Park District. She was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church. Her husband Edwin Ehrhart (1910-1984) was born on a farm in Naperville. He attended the Naperville schools and also worked at Lyon Metal. Mr. Ehrhart was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. This fund, which was created in 2005, became an endowment in 2007. Mrs. Ehrhart established the fund to encourage local students to further their educations. As she stated, “Education is essential to our survival and it is my hope that these scholarships will make a difference in the lives of future generations.”

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.

Goldsmith Family Endowment Fund

The Goldsmith Family Endowment Fund provides scholarships to students who are graduates of East Aurora High School or West Aurora High School.

This fund, which was created in 2001, became an endowment in 2012.

The Goldsmith family has lived in Aurora for more than 100 years.

Zalmon Goldsmith, a long-time Aurora attorney, and Anne Goldsmith, his wife, were involved in numerous community activities throughout their lives.

Mr. Goldsmith served as a member and chairman of the board of Mercy Hospital and of the Heartland Blood Centers. He was also on the board of Sunnymere.

Mrs. Goldsmith was one of the founders of the Paramount Arts Centre Endowment and also served on the boards of the United Way and the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley, among others.

Mr. and Mrs. Goldsmith’s son Bruce has practiced law in Aurora for more than thirty years. Bruce’s wife Margot, a freelance editor, has served on the Aurora Public Library Board of Directors.

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 Illi

Library Education Scholarship Fund

The Library Education Scholarship Fund awards scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students who are pursuing library sciences, writing, education – preference for language arts, or information technology.

The monetary value of each scholarship award varies depending upon the amount available in each individual scholarship fund. The most common scholarship award amount is $1,000 for a single year. Scholarships are designated as non-renewable one-year awards or renewable multi-year awards depending upon the scholarship fund criteria, as established by the donor of the scholarship fund.

The Sol Shulman Jewish Education and Life Grants support programs that enhance Jewish education and cultural enrichment in McLean County. Funded by the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation, these grants prioritize projects that benefit the community broadly, including educational materials and artistic endeavors. Eligible applicants must be tax-exempt organizations and serve local residents, fostering collaboration and sustainability in their initiatives. Proposals should focus on measurable outcomes and potential for ongoing impact beyond initial funding.

The Communityworks Grant Competition, run by the Community Foundation of Kankakee River Valley, aims to enhance community welfare through targeted funding. Focus areas include Early Childhood Education, Land Use & Protection, and Workforce Development. Grants are awarded to nonprofit organizations in Kankakee and Iroquois Counties, emphasizing initiatives that address unmet community needs. By fostering collaboration and innovative solutions, the Foundation seeks to ensure sustainable improvements in quality of life for local residents.

The True Inspiration Awards, established by Chick-fil-A in 2015, recognizes nonprofit organizations that significantly impact their communities. In 2025, the program will distribute $6 million in grants, ranging from $30,000 to $350,000, to sixteen selected organizations. Categories include Caring for People, Caring through Food, Community, and Caring for our Planet, with a focus on educational initiatives, food security, housing services, and environmental stewardship, honoring the legacy of founder S. Truett Cathy.

The Gladys Brooks Foundation supports innovative projects in libraries, education, hospitals, and clinics. Grants focus on resource endowments, capital construction, and equipment aimed at improving public access to information and educational resources. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations located in specific states and demonstrate that projects will be funded primarily by the grant. Applications for direct salary support or research projects are not accepted.

Our Story

The IBMA Foundation was created by the International Bluegrass Music Association in 2007 with a bequest from the Richard Barnhart estate. Mr. Barnhart was a musician from northern Virginia who loved bluegrass and wanted to support educational programs for children. Since the beginning, our goal has been to support bluegrass-music-related educational, literary, artistic and historic preservation activities.

In our early years we produced Discover Bluegrass, an educational video that has been used in thousands of classrooms and libraries around the world. We have hosted dozens of teacher workshops and artist trainings. We created a bluegrass lesson plan competition and provided a network for leaders of after-school bluegrass programs.

Our project grants, which now total $25,000 a year, support bluegrass-related initiatives throughout the world. We also fund Bluegrass in the Schools Mini-grants ($7,000/year) which help schools to hire bluegrass bands for school programs. The Rosenberg Bluegrass Scholar Award recognizes excellence in academic research. Six college scholarships are granted for students working in various areas of the bluegrass music industry. The Arnold Shultz Fund supports increased participation of people of color in bluegrass music with grants that total $30,000/ year. Fletcher Bright Memorial Grants for Young Musicians (age 18 and younger) help young people go to bluegrass music camps and workshops, take lessons, and purchase educational materials. 

Bill Breen Bluegrass Youth Education Fund

The Bill Breen Bluegrass Youth Education Fund was initially financed by friend and colleague, Susie Stephenson. The fund is an option for donors who want to help young people experience and learn to play bluegrass music. Instead of funding a specific scholarship or grant, the Breen Fund will be used by the IBMA Foundation where needed most, in a variety of ways that benefit individuals age 21 and younger. Based in Chicago, Illinois, Bill was an Associate Professor and Professor of Finance at the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University from 1971-2002, going on to serve as Chairman of the Finance Department and Head of Doctoral Studies for the Kellogg School. In addition to playing the banjo, Bill was an avid sailor and fly fisherman, and he never met a dog he didn’t like. His friends and family say it’s fitting that a man so passionate about the banjo, bluegrass music, and education is memorialize with a bluegrass youth education fund.