Best Public Infrastructure Grants in Illinois

Illinois Regional Site Readiness Program

Short Description

The Regional Site Readiness Program aims to better prepare sites for industrial development across the state. Input from community leaders and economic development experts has raised the need for flexible funding to support construction and infrastructure improvements to prepare sites for future development. This is the second round of the Regional Site Readiness Program and includes some minor changes from last year’s program.

Objective

Intent is to invest planning and capital resources to enable more rapid and certain industrial development. Investments to better understand needs to sites across the state including planning and due diligence (engineering, environmental, concept plans, etc) and investments to shorten development time frames include infrastructure (electric, natural gas, water & sewer, etc) and other site preparation activities

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.

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 Installation and/or Replacement of Utilities Grant by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) aims to enhance the quality of life in Illinois through funding for permanent capital improvements. This includes installation or replacement of utilities like water and electrical systems, fire hydrants, and drainage improvements. Eligible entities can apply for bondable costs associated with these projects, contributing to a cleaner environment and improved infrastructure.

Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity

The mission of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is to create equitable economic opportunities across the State of Illinois. By attracting and supporting major job creators, investing in communities, strengthening Illinois’ world-class workforce, fostering innovation, and ushering in the new clean energy economy, DCEO works to fortify Illinois’ reputation as a global economic powerhouse while ensuring Illinois is the best state to live, work and do business.

Community Development Block Grant Public Infrastructure Program

Notice of Funding Opportunity Intent

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (the “Department” or “DCEO”) is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) to solicit applications for the Public Infrastructure Grant opportunity funded by the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Program Description

The purpose of grants relative to the Public Infrastructure (PI) Notice of Funding Opportunity is to fund water and sanitary systems and storm sewer construction projects that alleviate public health, safety, and public welfare and help communities with substantial low to moderate-income populations. Project areas must be primarily residential1 in character. Projects that are designed to benefit a commercial/business area are not eligible.

All grant funded projects must meet the following requirements:

• Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI) Benefit Requirements: Projects must benefit at least 51.0 percent low-to-moderate income persons. Those projects benefiting less than 51.0 percent LMI persons will not be considered for funding. 
• Documentation of Threat to Health and Safety: Projects must address present conditions that affect public health and safety.
• Water and Sewer Rates: Water or sewer rates must currently meet or exceed 1 percent of the Median Household Income (MHI) per 5,000 gallons. This requirement does not apply to storm sewer or drainage projects. 

The CDBG Economic Development Program, managed by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, provides grants to local governments to support private businesses that create or retain jobs for low-to-moderate income workers. Grants can be used for public infrastructure improvements and are awarded based on project feasibility and need, with a ceiling of $1,000,000 per award, ensuring economic growth in eligible communities.

The IL Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program aids communities in recovering from natural disasters by providing both technical and financial assistance. It addresses threats to life and property from floods, fires, and windstorms without requiring a federal disaster declaration. Various recovery projects, led by eligible local sponsors, include debris removal, streambank protection, and establishing vegetative cover. The program is designed to be economically and environmentally sound, promoting sustainability in watershed management.

The Community Ties Giving Program by Union Pacific Foundation offers local grants aimed at enhancing community well-being through diverse funding priorities. These include safety initiatives, workforce development, community vitality, and environmental sustainability. The program emphasizes supporting organizations that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, aiming to create impactful projects that resonate with Union Pacific's heritage and mission. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations serving Union Pacific communities and demonstrate a clear need and capacity to deliver effective programming.

RBC Foundation – USA aims to enhance community quality of life by supporting non-profit organizations that promote diversity and positive change. In 2023, it awarded over $2.8 million in grants, prioritizing youth programs for ages 15-29, arts access for diverse populations, and mental well-being initiatives. The foundation encourages sustainable projects that foster economic independence, providing critical support for education, mental health, and cultural enrichment, thereby making a significant impact across various communities.

The BUILD Grant Program, managed by the USDOT, focuses on enhancing surface transportation infrastructure with substantial local impact. It supports a variety of project sponsors, including state and local governments, in pursuing complex multi-modal initiatives that are often challenging to fund through traditional grants. Established under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, this program reflects a commitment to sustainable and equitable infrastructure development.

The TTP Bridge Program aims to enhance the safety and accessibility of bridges in Tribal communities, addressing the urgent need for infrastructure improvements. With aging bridges affecting economic development and children's transportation, this program allows federally recognized Indian Tribes to apply for funding for planning, construction, and rehabilitation of bridges. By focusing on TTP bridges in poor condition, the initiative seeks to strengthen economic foundations and ensure better connectivity with markets, benefiting both families and communities.

The Site Improvements Program, managed by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, offers $1,000,000 in state funds for sidewalk construction and restoration projects. The initiative aims to enhance the quality of life for Illinois residents by supporting capital improvements. Applicants must provide a detailed project narrative, including a timeline and budget breakdown, to demonstrate the project's scope and impact, ensuring compliance with the Build Illinois Bond Act.

The Construction and/or Renovation to Buildings, Additions, or Structures Grant Program, administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), aims to enhance the quality of life for Illinois residents through $2.5 million in funding for capital improvements. Projects must be located in the South side of Chicago or nearby suburbs and comply with bondable requirements. Applicants need to provide detailed narratives and budgets to demonstrate their project's scope and economic impact.

The Match General Operating Support program by The Chicago Community Trust aims to assist community-serving organizations managing government grants by providing essential funding to cover administrative costs. This initiative is crucial for ensuring that federal aid reaches historically disinvested communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. With a focus on equitable recovery, the program supports organizations that prioritize community investment, safety, and workforce development, thereby enhancing the overall impact of government funding.

The Industrial Energy Storage Systems Prize, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, offers $4.8 million to promote innovative thermal energy storage solutions for the industrial sector. With three phases from 2025 to 2026, participants can win cash prizes by developing cost-effective concepts to enhance energy efficiency. This initiative encourages the adoption of sustainable technologies to address energy demands while reducing the strain on the electric grid, supporting the overall decarbonization goals of the industry.

Arnold Ventures is dedicated to enhancing lives in America through evidence-based policies that address social injustices. Their Evidence and Evaluation team seeks to discover and evaluate solutions for pressing social issues by funding rigorous causal research. This initiative focuses on studies that employ quasi-experimental methods to assess the impact of programs and policies in key areas like education and public finance, ultimately guiding effective resource allocation and policy reform.

The SEARCH Grant provides essential support for very small, financially distressed rural communities by funding predevelopment feasibility studies and technical assistance for water and waste disposal projects. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, nonprofits, and federally recognized tribes. Funds can be used for feasibility studies, design analysis, and technical help in securing financial assistance, ensuring improvements in rural infrastructure and community health.

The Glen Ellyn Fund, established in 2017, is a collaborative initiative between the Village of Glen Ellyn and the DuPage Foundation. It aims to enhance the quality of life for residents through various projects focused on community arts, social programs, environmental sustainability, and infrastructure improvements. With a charitable endowment of $400,000, the fund has awarded over $55,000 in grants, supporting projects that benefit local residents and foster community engagement.

SC Johnson Grants aim to enhance community welfare through charitable contributions, focusing on health, sustainability, and opportunity. Since 1937, the company has committed five percent of its pretax profits to support registered charities and nonprofit organizations, especially in areas where it operates. The grant program prioritizes initiatives addressing healthcare access, environmental conservation, and educational equity, ensuring that efforts align with the values of community service and corporate responsibility.

The Partners for Places Jobs and Inclusive Infrastructure Initiative Grants aim to support communities by leveraging infrastructure funds to create equitable projects that benefit underserved areas. This pilot program will provide funding for local workers through career training and inclusive economic practices. With grants ranging from $45,000 to $120,000, the initiative focuses on enhancing human infrastructure, fostering collaboration among key partners, and ensuring that frontline communities directly benefit from project implementations.

Transportation Research and Policy

Arnold Ventures (AV) is a philanthropy dedicated to improving the lives of all Americans through evidence-based solutions that maximize opportunity and minimize injustice.

The Infrastructure team has been investing in efforts to build better, faster, and lower-cost infrastructure with a focus on housing, energy, and transportation. For transportation, we are investing in policymaking and research that tackles the inefficiencies that make U.S. transportation infrastructure so difficult and expensive to build. 

Purpose

Transportation policy represents an avenue for improving the systems moving people, goods, and services. The Infrastructure team is seeking proposals evaluating the effectiveness and/or benefits of existing transportation or transportation-adjacent policies on outcomes for communities in the United States.

Eligible Projects and Topic Areas of Interest

This Request for Proposals (RFP) aims to bolster the knowledge base of potentially effective policies, programs, and interventions by funding efforts that align with key AV Infrastructure policy areas.

AV is primarily focused on traditional surface transportation — road and public transit — but is open to proposals in aviation, maritime, passenger and freight rail, trucking, and more.

We seek proposals for: 1) research, expanded data sets, or analysis; 2) administrative or legislative policy reforms at the federal, state, or local level; or 3) models of effective implementation including proposals for implementing agencies to partner with researchers or program evaluators to conduct baseline and post-intervention research on implementation effectiveness that will advance the knowledge base and provide illustrative examples within, but not limited to, the following topic areas:

• Transportation Capital Investment Reform. Evaluating how capital funding is prioritized and selected at the federal, state, or regional level, including discretionary grant programs and formula-based funding. What reforms could ensure projects deliver higher public returns?

• Cost Estimation, Oversight, and Accountability. Why do major transportation projects frequently exceed budgets and timelines, and how can we identify strategies to improve transparency, cost realism, and performance oversight?

• Access in Mobility Outcomes. Measuring how current transportation investments affect access to jobs, services, and economic opportunities for workers and families, and what policy changes could improve access.

• Performance-Based Project Selection. How can public agencies shift from current, politically driven allocations to datadriven, performance-based decision-making on capital project selections?

• Institutional Barriers to Reform. What organizational, legal, or procedural hurdles prevent DOTs and MPOs from adopting better practices (e.g., outcome-based planning, integrated land use/transportation policy)?

• Permitting and Permit Reform. How do current local, state, and federal permitting practices affect project cost, quality, timeline, and other concerns?

• Intergovernmental Dynamics. How do federal, state, and local funding structures and requirements enable or constrain effective transportation investment? What governance structures would improve outcomes when it comes to transportation planning and project delivery?

• Data Sets and Root Causes of High Delivery Costs. Expanded data sets on unit costs and/or research illuminating the root causes of why transportation and transit projects cost so much and take so long to deliver. What policy and practice changes could manage project delivery risks and improve the likelihood that projects will be delivered on s chedule and on budget?

• Domestic Content. How do Buy America and domestic content requirements affect the cost, speed, innovation, and effectiveness of transportation infrastructure projects?

• Procurement Process. How do current procurement practices affect project cost, quality, innovation, and accountability — and what policy and regulatory reforms could improve outcomes?

• Other. AV also welcomes innovative proposals on other transportation issues that align with our mission.

These research, policy development, and implementation proposals can be relevant to federal surface transportation reauthorization legislation or federal administrative changes; state reforms to Departments of Transportation; and/or local-level reforms relevant either to regional transportation agencies, transit agencies, or municipal governments.

The FY25-FY26 Advanced Transportation Technology and Innovation (ATTAIN) grant program aims to enhance transportation through the deployment of innovative technologies. It focuses on improving safety, mobility, and efficiency while fostering economic competitiveness. Projects funded will prioritize core infrastructure improvements and address roadway congestion, aligning with the Trump Administration's goals. The program emphasizes economic opportunities and community benefits, ensuring that selected projects contribute positively to families and communities, ultimately enhancing their quality of life.

The Fiscal Year 2026 United States Marine Highway Program (USMHP) aims to reduce congestion on land by designating Marine Highway Routes, enhancing alternatives to land transportation. Administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation, this program encourages the use of Marine Highway Transportation, supporting projects that promote expansion and development of this sustainable transport option. Eligible projects may include innovative logistics solutions that alleviate traffic and contribute to environmental sustainability.

The Fiscal Year 2026 National Dam Safety Program focuses on rehabilitating high hazard potential dams that do not meet state safety standards. Funded by FEMA, this initiative aims to protect lives and property by providing federal funds to eligible states, which then pass these funds to non-Federal governmental or nonprofit organizations. Rehabilitation involves repairing, replacing, reconstructing, or removing dams to ensure compliance with safety regulations.

The GM Corporate Giving Grants support U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations focused on STEM education and transportation initiatives. Applications are accepted from January to September, with a requirement to submit requests at least three months before the program’s start date. GM emphasizes charitable contributions in the communities where it operates, ensuring that organizations align with its values. The grant amount is not limited and is assessed based on the proposed program's merit and needs.

The Community Traffic Safety Grants, initiated by the Road to Zero Coalition, aim to eliminate traffic fatalities by 2050 through innovative, evidence-based approaches. The program invites proposals from Road to Zero Coalition members, particularly non-profits and government entities, to implement effective countermeasures that enhance traffic safety and address mobility disparities. Projects should be replicable and scalable, demonstrating measurable outcomes and contributing to a positive safety culture on U.S. roads.

The Old National Bank Foundation offers grants to nonprofit organizations for community impact initiatives across Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Focused on four key areas—Affordable Housing, Workforce Development, Economic Development, and Financial Empowerment—the foundation prioritizes programs that support underrepresented communities. Organizations must have 501(c)(3) status and align with the foundation’s funding priorities to qualify for grants, which can be applied for every two years.