Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits in Illinois

The Outreach Volunteer of the Year Award, presented by the American Chemical Society, recognizes exceptional volunteers from local sections and international chapters who educate the public about chemistry. This award highlights the vital contributions of volunteers to the community and promotes scientific outreach. Awardees receive a certificate and a small gift during events, and their achievements are celebrated at the annual ChemLuminary Awards. This initiative aims to inspire future generations and strengthen the chemistry community.

The Local Section Member Engagement (LS-MEET) Grant Program, provided by the American Chemical Society, aims to enhance community engagement within local sections. With a funding cap of $2,000, this program supports initiatives that attract new members and strengthen existing communities. Eligible projects may include innovative technology use, targeted events for underrepresented local chemist groups, and activities that promote interaction among members. Applications should align with local section goals and detail specific budgetary needs.

The Peter G. Peterson Foundation Grant aims to address America's long-term fiscal challenges by promoting awareness and encouraging action. The Foundation supports innovative projects that align with its mission, particularly those by U.S.-based 501(c)(3) non-profits capable of national impact. Eligible applicants should have a minimum two-year existence and an annual budget of at least $1 million. The Foundation avoids funding organizations outside the U.S. or those involved in political activities.

The PLTW Computer Science - Program Expansion grant from Phillips 66 aims to enhance access to quality education in STEM fields for middle and high school students. This initiative supports schools in expanding their existing PLTW Computer Science programs, particularly in high-need areas starting in the 2026-2027 academic year. Grants of $10,000 are available, prioritizing institutions with significant economic need among students, ensuring future generations are equipped for success in technology and engineering careers.

The PLTW Computer Science program, funded by Phillips 66, aims to enhance STEM education in middle and high schools. By offering a minimum of two PLTW Computer Science courses over two years, the initiative seeks to empower students with vital skills for future careers. With a total grant of $20,000, the program focuses on schools in various states, prioritizing those serving economically disadvantaged students to foster diversity and inclusion in the tech field.

The Newberry: Fellows' Fellowships offer scholars the opportunity to engage with the Newberry's extensive collections for one to two months. Designed for researchers at various stages, including ABD candidates, these fellowships support those with specific research needs. With a stipend of $3,000 per month, the program is open to scholars from any field and nationality, fostering a diverse community of learners and advancing scholarship in historical and cultural studies.

The John S. Aubrey Fellowship at The Newberry Library supports scholars with a demonstrated need for the library's collection. This short-term fellowship is available for one month, offering a stipend of $3,000 per month. It is open to scholars at various stages, including ABD candidates and those with terminal degrees. The Newberry Library, founded in 1887, serves as a vital cultural institution in Chicago, providing access to extensive historical resources.

The Rise for Education Grant Program offers funding for hydroponic classroom gardens that enhance STEM education and nutrition. This initiative encourages hands-on learning, integrating STEM and arts through practical gardening projects. Eligible applicants include schools, homeschooling families, and educational organizations. The program fosters community building and entrepreneurship via activities like Farmer's Markets, while boosting student engagement and developing essential skills. By implementing this program, educators can create an engaging and interactive learning environment year-round.

The American Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies (ASECS) Fellowship at The Newberry Library supports scholars investigating the period from 1660 to 1815. This short-term fellowship allows researchers to utilize the library's extensive collections for one to two months, with a stipend of $3,000 per month. Open to faculty, postdoctoral scholars, and ABD PhD candidates, it encourages international participation and aims to foster scholarly engagement with the rich historical resources available.

The Anne Jacobson Schutte Fellowship at The Newberry Library supports early career scholars focusing on the early modern period (1300-1700). This one-month fellowship offers a stipend of $3,000 per month and emphasizes research related to women’s studies, spirituality, or Venice. Open to postdoctoral scholars and PhD candidates, it encourages applicants from any nationality, while also providing opportunities for Chicago-area scholars. The fellowship honors Schutte’s significant contributions to the field.

The Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of Illinois Fellowship, offered by The Newberry Library, supports scholars researching early American or Transatlantic history. This short-term fellowship includes a stipend of $3,000 per month for a duration of one month. It is open to postdoctoral scholars, PhD candidates, and ABD graduate students of any nationality, promoting academic exploration within a historic cultural institution.

The Dave Dowling Scholarship, offered by the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers, supports aspiring students in horticulture or floriculture. With an award of $1,000 each for two promising candidates, this scholarship encourages young individuals to pursue careers in cut flower production. Successful applicants also receive a one-year ASCFG membership, fostering community and educational opportunities. This initiative aims to advance the domestic cut flower industry by nurturing the next generation of growers.

Mary's Pence Grants provide essential funding and support for women's social justice organizations in the U.S. and Canada. Established over 30 years ago, the program is dedicated to empowering women on the margins by funding grassroots initiatives that focus on community-centered, sustainable change. Organizations with budgets under $200,000 are eligible to apply for grants up to $5,000, fostering relationships and collaborative efforts to address systemic issues and promote social justice.

About AWS

We Move Welding Forward

Founded in 1919, the American Welding Society is a nonprofit organization with a global mission: to advance the science, technology, and application of welding and allied joining and cutting processes worldwide, including brazing, soldering, and thermal spraying.

By fostering knowledge, embracing change, and providing real-world opportunities through scholarships, fellowships, and workforce development, AWS provides the tools to help members succeed—and to inspire future generations of welding professionals.

Outstanding Achievement Awards

The AWS Outstanding Achievement Awards honor exceptional contributions in welding, spanning historical structures, innovative fabrication, safety, and technical advancements across various categories.

Professor Koichi Masubuchi Award

This award is sponsored by the Center for Ocean Engineering at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The award will be given to one individual who has made significant contributions in the advancement of the science and technology of materials joining through research and development. The individual is to be 40 years old or younger and may live in any part of the world. The recipient need not be a member of AWS.

Complete nomination packets may be submitted for consideration to the AWS Awards Committee and must include an introduction letter of support and a complete resume or CV of the individual's qualifications.

The applicant is requested to indicate his/her birth year in the resume to verify that he/she is 40 years old or younger for the year in which the applicant is nominated.

Complete nominations must be received by the deadline of December 31. The award will be presented at the following year's FABTECH show. Submit your nomination to Wei Zhang at zhang.3978@osu.edu or at nationalawards@aws.org.

The Officers’ Research Grants on Reducing Inequality support studies aimed at understanding and addressing inequalities affecting youth ages 5-25 in the U.S. This initiative funds descriptive, intervention, and measurement development studies focused on academic, social, behavioral, and economic outcomes. The William T. Grant Foundation encourages research that identifies specific inequalities and explores effective programs or policies to mitigate these disparities while addressing systemic issues such as racism and structural inequality.

Service Club of Chicago

The Service Club of Chicago is a charitable organization of women that has continually served the charitable needs of Chicago and its surrounding communities since 1890. Our mission is to award grants to Chicagoland’s 501(c)(3) organizations that will expand their facilities, improve their equipment and initiate new programs, thereby uplifting the community as a whole.

The Service Club of Chicago Grant Awards 

• Applications for grant awards shall be limited to non-recurring expenses not otherwise covered in the agency’s normal operating budget.

• All applicants must provide written evidence of financial stability, documentation of their own non-profit status issued by the State of Illinois, and the latest, most current 990 filing with the IRS. All applicants must provide 501(C)(3) tax-exempt status, have been in operation no less than three years, and provide financial statements as required by the Internal Revenue Service.

• The application package must include at least two bids for each item requested (exceptions may apply). The Service Club of Chicago will disburse grant awards directly to the vendor and not to the agency; no cash awards are given.

• Grant Recipients from the preceding year are not eligible to apply for the following 3 consecutive calendar years. For example, for the upcoming 2026 grant cycle, only agencies granted in 2023 and earlier can be considered. However, if you were denied in the preceding three-year period, you may apply in the current year.

The NIH's Investigator-Focused Award (Parent R35) aims to support research programs for investigators at all career stages, including Early Stage Investigators. This funding provides stability and freedom in research, allowing for innovative and ambitious studies without the constant pressure of securing new grants. Key benefits include flexibility in research direction, opportunities to tackle significant questions, and a greater potential for scientific breakthroughs, fostering a robust research environment.

About AWS

We Move Welding Forward

Founded in 1919, the American Welding Society is a nonprofit organization with a global mission: to advance the science, technology, and application of welding and allied joining and cutting processes worldwide, including brazing, soldering, and thermal spraying.

By fostering knowledge, embracing change, and providing real-world opportunities through scholarships, fellowships, and workforce development, AWS provides the tools to help members succeed—and to inspire future generations of welding professionals.

Outstanding Achievement Awards

The AWS Outstanding Achievement Awards honor exceptional contributions in welding, spanning historical structures, innovative fabrication, safety, and technical advancements across various categories.

Distinguished Welder Award

This award recognizes an individual whose welding skills and experience would earn them the recognition of being an AWS Distinguished Welder.

A complete nomination packet should include information addressing the Definition and candidate's Application Criteria as outlined in the AWS Distinguished Welder Award Nomination Form. The focus of the nomination packet should include specifics of the individual's skills.

The Susan Cook House Educational Trust Grant provides funding for charitable purposes in Central Illinois, specifically supporting nonprofit organizations recognized under IRS section 501(c)(3). This grant program encourages educational initiatives that benefit the local community. Please note that individuals cannot apply for this grant; applications are limited to eligible nonprofit organizations. For more information, search for the grant program using the foundation finder link provided.

The DAAD North America program offers funding for faculty and students to organize interdisciplinary workshops and conferences focused on German studies. Supported by the German Foreign Office, it aims to enhance understanding of Germany's cultural, political, and economic landscape in North America. Projects must be well-defined and financially supported by at least 50% from other sources, excluding transatlantic travel and overhead costs. This initiative encourages collaboration and engagement in the humanities and social sciences.

American Physical Society

The American Physical Society is a nonprofit membership organization working to advance physics by fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and global community dedicated to science and society. APS represents more than 50,000 members, including physicists in academia, national laboratories, and industry in the United States and around the world.

DNP Registration Reimbursement Grants Available for the APS Global Physics Summit

DNP is pleased to offer a limited number of registration reimbursement grants to encourage graduate student participation in the annual APS Global Physics Summit. This APS meeting provides an excellent opportunity for students in nuclear physics to present their research, interact with potential employers, and hear about advances in a broad range of physics topics.

If the nominee's application is accepted, the award will cover the early registration fee for students presenting in-person. Students will need to register prior to confirmation of receiving the award.

Stark Community Foundation is one of the area’s major sources of college scholarship support— thanks to the generosity of caring individuals, families and businesses that have created scholarship funds.

The Foundation currently manages more than 100 scholarship funds that support hundreds of deserving students each year from Stark and Carroll counties. In 2025, more than $1,000,000 was awarded to local students to help them achieve their educational dreams.

The Loris and Merle Coe Scholarship Fund

The Loris and Merle Coe Scholarship Fund assists graduating seniors (including home-schooled students) accepted to any two or four-year college or university who are either a Boy Scout or Girl Scout and have earned either an Eagle Scout Award or rank of Life Scout, Gold Award or Silver Award. 

Amount:

• Varies. Minimum $500

Renewable:

• Yes

About AWS

We Move Welding Forward

Founded in 1919, the American Welding Society is a nonprofit organization with a global mission: to advance the science, technology, and application of welding and allied joining and cutting processes worldwide, including brazing, soldering, and thermal spraying.

By fostering knowledge, embracing change, and providing real-world opportunities through scholarships, fellowships, and workforce development, AWS provides the tools to help members succeed—and to inspire future generations of welding professionals.

Education / Meritorious / Service Awards

The Educational/Meritorious/Service awards recognize individuals who have made notable contributions to the welding industry. From educators who have advanced welding knowledge to those who've exhibited outstanding service, these awards celebrate dedication, expertise, and the advancement of welding as both an art and a science.

Dalton E. Hamilton Memorial CWI of the Year Award

This award, administered by the Certification Committee, is given annually by the American Welding Society as a means of recognizing individuals participating in the Senior Certified Welding Inspector (SCWI) and Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) program whose inspection, American Welding Society, professional activity and civic activities are considered to have enhanced public awareness and opinion of both the Society and the CWI program or otherwise have made an outstanding contribution to the science of welding inspection.

This award is recognized at the National, District and Section levels. The nominee is selected at least 12 months in advance of FABTECH. Selections for the Section and District awards are made during the annual District Conference meetings. District and Section level recognitions are automatic but National level nominee information is submitted to the AWS Certification Committee for final selection.

• A nomination form must be submitted, along with an introduction letter of support and a complete resume or CV of the individual’s qualifications. Complete National nominations must be received by February 1st.

The IECA Foundation Grant offers up to $5,000 to nonprofit organizations in the U.S. that assist underserved youth and young adults in achieving their educational goals. The Foundation prioritizes projects that demonstrate measurable impact and align with its mission of fostering positive outcomes through personalized support and community engagement. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits with an annual budget of $1 million or less, focusing on innovative, project-based initiatives.

Project Lead The Way Inc is offering a grant of $14,000 to schools looking to implement the PLTW Computer Science program for the first time. Schools must commit to offering PLTW Computer Science courses over the next three years, ensuring that at least one course is available in the first year. This funding will support program implementation costs, with awards distributed directly to PLTW accounts for eligible schools.

The City of Naperville's Special Events and Community Arts Program provides funding for community-focused events and artistic initiatives through the SECA Fund. Established in 2004, this program supports tax-exempt non-profit organizations to promote local heritage and diversity. Eligible projects must occur in Naperville between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025. Attendance at a mandatory workshop is required, and applicants must comply with specific funding limitations to ensure resources are utilized effectively.

The Judson Daland Prize, awarded by the American Philosophical Society, honors outstanding achievements in patient-oriented research with a grant of $50,000. This prestigious award will be presented in November 2024, recognizing significant contributions in the field. Nominees must have conducted their work in a U.S. institution and should be no more than 15 years post-M.D. receipt, ensuring that emerging talents are acknowledged.