Best Illinois Grants for Nonprofits

Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority

Created in 1983, the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) is a state agency dedicated to improving the administration of criminal justice. ICJIA brings together key leaders from the justice system and the public to identify critical issues faced by the criminal justice system in Illinois and to propose and evaluate policies, programs, and legislation that address those issues. The agency also works to ensure the criminal justice system in Illinois is efficient, effective, and equitable.

In the area of grants administration, ICJIA: 1. Implements and funds criminal justice and violence prevention programs under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), Adult Redeploy Illinois (ARI), Restore, Reinvest, Renew (R3) Program, and other state and federal grant programs. 2. Monitors program activity, ensures accountability, and provides technical assistance to grantees.

Institute to Innovate (i2i) Capacity Building and Violence Prevention Grant Program

The Institute to Innovate (i2i) program invests in organizations working to prevent violence and improve public safety throughout Illinois. The program recognizes that effective violence prevention depends on both strong community-based services and the organizational infrastructure needed to support those services. Applicants must select one of the following project pathways:

• Capacity Building Activities: Projects that strengthen organizational leadership, governance, financial management, workforce, technology, policies, evaluation practices, or other internal systems.
• Violence Prevention Activities: Projects that provide or expand eligible community-based violence prevention services.
• Combined Capacity Building and Violence Prevention Activities: Projects that strengthen organizational systems while also providing, expanding, or improving violence prevention services.

The Adult Volunteer Literacy Grant Program

The Adult Volunteer Literacy Grant Program provides funding for educational agencies to provide Adult Basic Education (ABE) and English language instruction to qualified individuals using trained unpaid volunteer tutors.

The grant applications are being offered in advance of the provision of the state budget. The Illinois State Library makes these grant applications available so that award notification may be released when legislative and gubernatorial approval of the appropriation is made. Obligations to fund this grant program will cease immediately without penalty or further payment being required if the Illinois General Assembly or the federal funding source fails to appropriate or otherwise make available sufficient funds. 

Funding

Public funds awarded under this grant range up to $105,000 with first year awards being modest until the project is securely established. Only one grant is allowed per agency.

What does this program do?

It provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) to:

• To help microenterprises startup and growth through a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund.
• Provide training and technical assistance to microloan borrowers and micro entrepreneurs.

Microenterprise Development Organizations must demonstrate experience in managing a Revolving Loan Fund, or:

• Certify that it or its employees have received education and training from a qualified microenterprise development training entity so that the applicant has the capacity to manage such a revolving loan fund.
• Demonstrate that it is actively and successfully participating as an intermediary lender in good standing under the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Microloan Program or other similar loan programs as determined by the Administrator.

 What kind of funding is available?

• Grants are available to provide technical assistance to rural micro-entrepreneurs or microenterprises, up to $205,000 annually.
  • Funding at the requested level is not guaranteed, and at least 15 percent matching funds are required.
• Loans of $50,000 to $500,000 may be used for establishing a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund managed by the Microenterprise Development Organization.
  • Total aggregate debt is capped at $2.5 million.

What are the loan terms?

• Maximum term is 20 years.
• Two-year payment deferral.
• Must establish a loan loss reserve fund.

What terms are required on loans to ultimate recipients?

• Up to $50,000.
• Fixed interest rate.
• Limited to 75 percent of project cost.

How may the funds be used?

Microlenders may make microloans for qualified business activities and expenses including, but not limited to:

• Working capital.
• Debt refinancing.
• Purchasing equipment and supplies.
• Improving real estate.

Expense Based Substance Use Disorders and Gambling Disorder Services

Single Award Range 

• $50000 - $300000

Estimated Total Program Funding 

• 3500000.00

The IDHS/DBHR through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is seeking providers to provide prevention and outreach services to individuals and the general community around gambling disorder. Applicants with gambling disorder experience are preferred though all applicants will be considered. Applicants may apply for innovative outreach and/or prevention services including school-based prevention curriculums identified by IDHS/DBHR. In SFY27, the Department anticipates the availability of approximately $3,500,000 in total funding for applicant and any subgrantees. The grant period will begin July 1, 2026, and will end on June 30, 2027, with the option to renew for an additional two full years, if funding is available. The release of this NOFO does not obligate the Illinois Department of Human Services to make an award. Services may not be provided until a contract is fully executed by the Department.

The State agency's funding priorities or focus areas.

• IDHS is working to counteract systemic racism and inequity, and to prioritize and maximize diversity throughout its service provision process. This work involves addressing existing institutionalized inequities, aiming to create transformation, and operationalizing equity and racial justice. It also focuses on the creation of a culture of inclusivity for all regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or ability.
• The IDHS/DBHR is seeking organizations with a history coordinating gambling disorder engagement and screening events though new organizations will be considered.

The goals, objectives and deliverables of this program are:

• The award will contribute to achieving the program's goals and objectives by ensuring the statewide provision of services that accomplish the deliverables noted below. Services will be designed to support and inform individuals with potential gambling problems, their friends/family members, and the general community.
• Organizations will provide for the production and publication, in electronic and other formats, of gambling prevention, recognition, treatment, and recovery literature and other public education methods.

Local Food Infrastructure Grant Program

The Illinois Department of Agriculture (the “Department” or “IDOA”) is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) to provide grants through the Local Food and Infrastructure Grant Act [505 ILCS 92] and Administrative Code Title 8: Agriculture and Animals Chapter I: Department of Agriculture Subchapter m: Marketing Programs Part 340 Local Food Infrastructure Grant. The purpose of this program is for the development of local food processing, aggregation and distribution.

The General Assembly finds that the following conditions exist in this State:

• Small fruit, vegetable, and livestock farmers are vital to the health and wealth of Illinois communities, yet Illinois does not currently have infrastructure in place to support local food farmers or to feed Illinois communities.
• An estimated 95% of the food consumed in Illinois is purchased from outside of our borders, resulting in the export of billions of food dollars outside our State rather than the enhancement of our local food economies.
• A shift of just 10% toward local food purchasing by Illinois individuals, families, schools, institutions, and State agencies could generate billions in economic growth for our State.
• For Illinois families, businesses, schools, and institutions to shift their purchasing practices, Illinois must invest in supporting critical local food infrastructure needed to bolster processing, aggregation, and distribution of local food.

The General Assembly determines and declares that there exist conditions in the State that require the Department to issue grants on behalf of the State for the development of local food processing, aggregation, and distribution. (505 ILCS 92/10) Sec. 10 (a) and (b).

All grant funding provided under this Act must be used for purchasing, leasing to own, renting, building, or installing infrastructure related to the processing, storage, aggregation, or distribution of value-added agricultural products.

Opportunity Funding

• $3,600,000.00

Funding Sources

• State

Funding Source Description 

• This grant program is utilizing state funds appropriated by Public Act 104-0003, Section 205 and Section 210. Total amount of funding expected to be awarded through this NOFO is $3,600,000. Awards will range from $1,000 to $250,000.

Community Health Center Construction Grants - Rebuild Illinois

Pursuant to 30 ILCS 766, the Community Health Center Construction Act ("Act"), the Capital Development Board ("CDB") (in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Public Health) is authorized to make grants available to Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) and FQHC Look-Alikes which serve, in whole or in part, a designated Medically Underserved Area (“MUA”) or Medically Underserved Population (“MUP”) both as defined in the Act, for health center construction projects.

Illinois Community College Board

In 1965, the Illinois General Assembly established the Illinois Community College Board to create a system of public community colleges that would be accessible to every resident. More than 50 years later, the Illinois Community College System is the third largest system in the United States, with 48 colleges and one multi-community college center throughout Illinois. The community colleges serve over 500,000 Illinois residents each year in credit and noncredit courses and serve many more through public service programs.

Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education (IELCE) Renewal

The Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) will provide approximately $3,000,000 in federal funding to support Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education (IELCE) programs across Illinois.

The purpose of IELCE funding is to support adult English language learners in achieving English language proficiency, civics competency, and workforce readiness through integrated education and training aligned with career pathways.

Grant Objectives include:

• Deliver English Language Acquisition, Civics Education, and Workforce Preparation concurrently and contextually
• Implement Integrated Education and Training (IET) / ICAPS models aligned with in-demand industries
• Support transitions to postsecondary education, training, and unsubsidized employment
• Strengthen partnerships with workforce development systems and employers

This is a renewal funding opportunity.

27-0343-25 Local Agency Impaired Driving Prevention - General

I. INTRODUCTION

The Impaired Driving Prevention Program (IDP) is an initiative of BSPE that promotes the safety and well-being of all people using Illinois’ roadways. This program is preventative in nature by focusing on solutions designed to create awareness and reduction in alcohol and drug-impaired driving through outreach.

II. PROJECT GOAL

To create a coordinated effort to address alcohol and drug-related traffic fatalities and serious injuries through outreach, education, and criminal justice.

III. PREVENTION PROJECTS

The objective of this activity is designed to increase public awareness and knowledge about alcohol and drug-impaired driving, promote safe and healthy behavior among underage and/or adult individuals, and to increase the awareness of the consequences associated with a DUI arrest, other sanctions for impaired driving, or an impaired driving motor vehicle crash.

Public information and prevention education programs should consist of comprehensive, coordinated efforts that are designed to present a clear message that fosters the attitude that driving impaired by alcoholic beverages, cannabis, and/or other impairing drugs or substances is unacceptable, criminal behavior. These messages should be sustained and emphasize existing holiday enforcement campaigns and should also occur throughout the grant year. Additional prevention initiatives include educational programs and activities. These may occur through schools, community groups and/or religious organizations and may include parent education, formalized curricula, coalition development/community involvement, and peer education programs.