Illinois Community Programs Funding via Andrew Family Foundation
Illinois 501(c)(3) nonprofits with annual program budgets between $1M and $4M can seek support for education, arts, and humanitarian projects that foster individual growth and strengthen communities. Illinois organizations that can offer meaningful board engagement opportunities may access Board Grants from Andrew Family Foundation for U.S.-based programs.
Andrew Family Foundation
Traffic Safety Funding from Auto Club Group Foundation
Illinois nonprofits, schools, local governments, and first responder agencies can seek funding for traffic safety, driver education, and K–12 financial literacy initiatives through the Auto Club Group Foundation, with typical awards of US $5,000 - US $15,000. Focused on community safety and education, the foundation invites Illinois applicants working within its 14-state footprint.
The Auto Club Group Foundation
Leadership Development Grants for Nonprofits from MacArthur Foundation
Illinois nonprofits running leadership development or civic leadership programs that advance racial equity may be eligible for support to strengthen leaders and organizational capacity in Chicago. Illinois nonprofits can access funding through John D and Catherine T MacArthur Foundation to support cohort-based leadership programs, individual leaders connected to nonprofits, and technical assistance or capacity-building efforts.
John D and Catherine T MacArthur Foundation
US $20,000 - US $1,800,000
EV Infrastructure Funding from Illinois Finance Authority
Government, education, and nonprofit organizations in Illinois can fund public electric vehicle charging and fueling infrastructure projects with this program, with awards from US $20,000 - US $1,800,000. Illinois Finance Authority supports renewable energy and public infrastructure by covering eligible costs like equipment, installation, minor grid updates, design, and up to five years of fixed operating expenses.
Illinois Finance Authority
The Minneapolis Foundation Support for Illinois Environmental Justice
Eligible nonprofits, tribal governments, local governments, and educational institutions in Illinois can seek funding for environmental and public health assessment and engagement projects in disadvantaged communities, with awards up to US $150,000. Grants from The Minneapolis Foundation help Illinois organizations advance environmental justice, including work on air, water, and soil quality, healthy homes, food access, resilience, and green infrastructure.
The Minneapolis Foundation
Illinois DCFS Internship Program Grants in Illinois
Nonprofit, for-profit, government, and small business organizations in Illinois that run foster care specialty programs can support youth in care through the Find Your Future internship initiative. Focused on workforce preparation and job readiness, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services invites providers to offer paid summer internships and professional development for college students formerly or currently in DCFS care.
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
Geneseo Foundation Support for Illinois Nonprofits
Applications due Aug 1, 2026
Geneseo-area 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Illinois can seek funding for charitable, civic, educational, health, and human services projects. Geneseo Foundation provides Illinois organizations with support for caring for the sick, aged, disabled, and needy, as well as for scientific or medical research and other community-benefit initiatives selected by its Board of Managers.
Geneseo Foundation
Aging Services Funding for Illinois Nonprofits via RRF Foundation
Full proposal due Aug 6, 2026
Focused on improving quality of life for older adults, RRF Foundation for Aging invites Illinois nonprofits and eligible public agencies to seek support for direct service programs. Funding can launch or significantly expand caregiving, housing, economic security, social connectedness, or capacity-building initiatives that intentionally serve people 65+ and apply an equity-focused, race-conscious lens.
Retirement Research Foundation
Retirement Research Foundation Aging Grants in Illinois
Full proposal due Aug 6, 2026
Nonprofit organizations in Illinois proposing knowledge-sharing or awareness projects on aging issues can apply for Retirement Research Foundation’s Knowledge Sharing & Awareness Raising Grants. Eligible projects must focus on older adults (60+) and have national reach or regional reach within Illinois, addressing areas like caregiving, economic security, housing, age equity, or social connection.
Retirement Research Foundation
Kenneth A. Scott Trust Support for Animal Welfare
Full proposal due Aug 17, 2026
Humane societies, animal welfare nonprofits, spay/neuter clinics, wildlife centers, and related 501(c)(3) organizations in Illinois’ eligible counties can seek project funding for companion animals and native wildlife. The Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust supports initiatives such as adoption and fostering programs, humane and wildlife education, medical and wellness care, spay/neuter, equipment, and other animal care projects.
Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust
Bayer Fund Grants for Illinois Health Programs
Full proposal due Sep 1, 2026
Illinois nonprofits, school districts, and government units supporting cancer and cardiovascular health can access funding through Bayer Fund for education, disease awareness, and supportive services. Eligible 501(c)(3)s must be established, financially audited, and located near listed Bayer communities, with priority for cardiovascular programs serving African American populations and evidence-based initiatives.
Bayer Fund
Native American K-12 Funding from Moore Fund
Applications due Sep 15, 2026
Nonprofit organizations providing K-12 education for Native American children living on reservations can apply for approximately US $77,000 to support year-round, direct-service programming. Grants from The Ruth Danley And William Enoch Moore Fund help Illinois and other eligible-region nonprofits expand proven, measurable programs that address demonstrated community needs and benefit underserved populations.
The Ruth Danley And William Enoch Moore Fund
Arts Project Funding from Illinois Arts Council
Letter of inquiry due Sep 16, 2026
Illinois arts and culture nonprofits in Illinois can access funding through Illinois Arts Council for public-facing arts projects and activities. The GIG Fund provides US $2,000 - US $15,000 to smaller 501(c)(3) and tribal organizations to present performances, exhibits, festivals, public art, or similar projects featuring professional artists and reaching underserved Midwestern audiences.
Illinois Arts Council Agency
Arts Midwest Arts and Wellness Grants in Illinois
Letter of inquiry due Sep 16, 2026
Nonprofit organizations, hospitals, clinics, and tribal organizations in Illinois with arts and wellness projects can seek US $2,000 - US $15,000 to support performances, workshops, clinical programs, creative aging, or veteran arts engagement. With a mission to amplify Midwestern creativity, Arts Midwest provides funding plus professional development for grantees engaging professional artists in at least two activities.
Arts Midwest
Illinois Prairie Community Foundation Support for Youth
Applications due Sep 30, 2026
Illinois youth-serving 501(c)(3) nonprofits with projects benefiting children in McLean, DeWitt, Livingston, or Logan counties can seek US $3,000 - US $10,000 for youth-focused initiatives. Illinois Prairie Community Foundation’s Youth Engaged in Philanthropy program prioritizes applications where young people actively help complete the proposal and later report on project outcomes.
Illinois Prairie Community Foundation
USDA Rural Development Support for Illinois Water
Applications due Sep 30, 2026
Illinois rural local governments, nonprofits, and federally recognized tribes facing emergencies that threaten safe drinking water can access funding through USDA Rural Development. Grants up to US $1,000,000 support waterline extensions, repairs, and new water sources or treatment facilities in eligible low-income rural areas, helping communities restore reliable, clean water access.
USDA: Rural Development (RD)
USDA Rural Development Grants for Illinois Water
Applications due Sep 30, 2026
USDA Rural Development provides Illinois public entities, private nonprofits, and federally recognized tribes with funding to acquire, construct, or improve rural water, sewer, solid waste, and stormwater systems. Eligible rural areas include towns under 10,000 people, tribal lands, and colonias, with support also available for related legal, engineering, land, and start-up costs.
USDA: Rural Development (RD)
US $75,000 - US $2,500,000
Green Infrastructure Grants for Illinois Projects via Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
Applications due Nov 5, 2026
Government agencies, nonprofits, educational institutions, and other eligible entities in Illinois can receive US $75,000 - US $2,500,000 to design and construct green infrastructure that reduces stormwater runoff and flooding. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency funds projects such as bioinfiltration, permeable pavement, detention basins, wetlands, floodplain reconnection, and watershed-wide BMPs, with higher cost-share available for environmental justice areas.
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
Illinois Education Funding via Susan Cook House
Applications due Jan 31, 2027
Illinois 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations focused on education can receive support for charitable purposes in Central Illinois through the Susan Cook House Educational Trust. Susan Cook House Educational Trust provides Illinois education nonprofits with funding for programs serving communities in eligible Central Illinois counties; individuals are not eligible to apply.
Susan Cook House Educational Trust
Illinois Humanities Council Support for Collaborative Humanities
Letter of inquiry due Feb 13, 2027
Illinois nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations planning Illinois-based, humanities-rooted collaborative projects can apply for up to US $10,000, including those already funded by Illinois Humanities. With a mission to activate the humanities statewide, Illinois Humanities Council provides private funding that prioritizes smaller-budget organizations and projects serving under-funded or under-served communities and highlighting forgotten or overlooked histories.
Illinois Humanities Council Incorporated
Illinois Humanities Council Illinois Humanities Funding via Illinois Humanities Council
Letter of inquiry due Feb 13, 2027
Illinois nonprofits and individuals developing humanities-based projects in Illinois can access funding through Illinois Humanities Council for innovative digital humanities, audience engagement, or audience growth initiatives, with awards up to US $4,000. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations (or those with fiscal sponsors) must have budgets under $1 million and projects rooted in the humanities, including arts and culture work.
Illinois Humanities Council Incorporated
Impaired Driving Prevention Funding from Illinois Transportation
Applications due Mar 3, 2027
Nonprofits, public agencies, schools, tribes, businesses, and other eligible Illinois entities can seek funding for impaired driving prevention education, community outreach, and criminal justice training projects. Grants from Illinois Department of Transportation help Illinois organizations reduce alcohol- and drug-impaired driving through school and community programs, employer initiatives, responsible alcohol/cannabis service, alternative transportation, and law enforcement and prosecution support.
Illinois Department of Transportation
Illinois Mental Health Justice Funding via Illinois Department of Human Services
Applications due Apr 3, 2027
Government, education, and nonprofit organizations in Illinois can access funding to run outpatient mental health and fitness restoration programs for defendants found unfit to stand trial, with awards from US $18,000 - US $227,479. Grants from Illinois Department of Human Services support psychiatric care, substance use treatment, housing case management, and legal education for adults and juveniles in community settings.
Illinois Department of Human Services: Division of Mental Health
Illinois Nonprofit Justice Funding via Illinois Humanities Council
Applications due Jun 12, 2027
Illinois nonprofits using arts and humanities to address mass incarceration impacts can receive up to US $10,000 for project-based programs statewide. With a mission to strengthen civic engagement, Illinois Humanities Council provides Illinois organizations, libraries, schools, universities, and faith-based groups with support for initiatives like prison education, community dialogues, independent media, and related justice-focused activities.
Illinois Humanities Council Incorporated
USDA Rural Business Development Grants in Illinois
Applications due Jun 15, 2027
Eligible rural public entities and nonprofit organizations in Illinois can apply for USDA Rural Development’s Rural Business Development Grants, awarding US $10,000 - US $500,000 for technical assistance, training, and infrastructure that support small rural businesses. Funds may also back revolving loan funds, business incubators, and community or technology-based economic development projects in qualifying rural areas.
USDA: Rural Development (RD)
Community Program Funding from Ameren
Applications due Jun 18, 2027
Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving communities in Illinois counties where Ameren has a business presence can apply for Ameren’s community grant program to support local programs and events. Grant amounts vary, and the application window typically opens mid-year for a 30-day cycle, offering flexible support for education, civic engagement, economic services, and community development.
Ameren Corporation
Illinois Department of Aging Support for Grandfamily Services
Applications due Jun 25, 2027
Nonprofit organizations, government entities, tribes, education organizations, and Area Agencies on Aging in Illinois can obtain funding to expand services for grandparents and relatives raising children, including respite, support groups, counseling, legal help, and gap-filling assistance. The Illinois Department of Aging’s Grandparents and Other Relatives Raising Children Program strengthens safe, stable kinship care homes.
Illinois Department of Aging