Best Lake County Grants for Nonprofits in Illinois

The Habitat Protection and Restoration grant by the Great Lakes Fisheries Trust aims to fund projects that protect and restore vital fish habitats in the Great Lakes region. Priorities include enhancing fish passage, supporting sustainable reproduction, and utilizing decision-support tools for project identification. Eligible applicants include non-profits and governmental organizations, focusing on projects within the Lake Michigan basin. This grant emphasizes community support and long-term management, ensuring impactful conservation efforts.

The Great Lakes Fisheries Trust offers grants for ecological and biological research aimed at enhancing ecosystem health and sustainable fish populations. These grants support competitive fisheries research, focusing on resilience, sustainability, and stakeholder value. The next funding cycle will open with a request for proposals in late 2026 for the 2027 program year, promoting innovative research and capacity-building efforts within the fisheries sector.

The Farmers Market Grant Program by Compeer Financial supports farmers by enhancing their marketing and technology capabilities. Grants can be utilized for branding, website creation, and payment technologies, as well as essential equipment like scales and tents. This initiative aims to promote direct consumer engagement and strengthen local food systems, ensuring fresh produce accessibility while fostering economic growth in rural communities. Eligible applicants must be Compeer clients actively participating in verified farmers markets.

Compeer Financial's Emergency Response Equipment Grant Program aims to enhance collaboration among rural fire, rescue, and ambulance departments by providing funding for specialized equipment. Grants of up to $10,000 support projects that improve emergency response capabilities, encouraging teamwork among departments serving adjacent jurisdictions. Eligible applicants must operate within Compeer's 144-county territory and demonstrate a clear plan for equipment use. This initiative underscores the importance of community cooperation in ensuring effective emergency services in rural areas.

The Mercyhealth Ethnic Minority Nursing Scholarship offers three $2,000 scholarships to ethnic minority individuals pursuing a nursing degree in northern Illinois. Applicants must be fluent in Spanish and maintain a 3.0 GPA. Selection is based on academic achievement, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and financial need. This initiative, funded by the Mercyhealth Volunteer Association, aims to support diversity in nursing and improve healthcare access within the community.

The Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust offers grants aimed at enhancing the lives of animals in the Ohio/Great Lakes region. It prioritizes projects that foster animal adoption, behavior training, and humane education. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) certified and demonstrate a commitment to animal welfare. The Trust seeks innovative, collaborative initiatives that significantly improve the well-being of animals, particularly in underserved communities, ensuring a high quality of life for both individual animals and larger populations.

The Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust Grants focus on enhancing the quality of life for companion animals and native wildlife. This private foundation supports innovative projects that go beyond basic care, ensuring the well-being of homeless and abused animals. Eligible organizations must have a 501(c)(3) status and be located in specific states, including Ohio and parts of Indiana and Michigan. The Trust emphasizes humane treatment and sustainable funding for animal welfare initiatives.

The Asian Giving Circle (AGC) Grant, established in 2002, supports Asian and Pacific Islander nonprofits in the Chicago area by pooling donor resources to advance social justice. With over $800,000 in contributions, AGC prioritizes proposals from API organizations for general operating costs, emphasizing support for underrepresented communities and innovative projects. Applications will be reviewed from mid-June to August 2025, with awards announced by September.

The Flowers for Dreams Foundation Grant prioritizes organizations committed to mental health and community care initiatives for vulnerable populations. With a mission to fund local charities, the foundation has donated over $1.5 million to date. Grants range from $5,000 to $20,000, with applications accepted year-round. In 2025, the foundation emphasizes support for mental health services, ensuring that funds are used for impactful community care. Organizations must have a 501(c)(3) status and operate within the designated service area.

The Barker Welfare Foundation offers grants to qualified charitable organizations focused on enhancing the quality of life, particularly for youth and families, in New York City and Michigan City, Indiana. Organizations must be recognized as public charities and meet specific eligibility criteria, including providing audited financial statements. Proposals from start-ups or outside designated areas are discouraged. The Foundation aims to reflect the philanthropic legacy of its founder, Catherine B. Hickox.

The Tower Lakes Community Foundation (TLCF) offers a Community Grant aimed at supporting larger projects that require funding for various needs such as materials, labor, and educational expenses. This grant is designed to enhance community investment and cultural enrichment within Tower Lakes, Illinois. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and an end of project report is required to evaluate the outcomes and impacts achieved through the funding.

The AIS Grants to Great Lakes States (CAFWS-179) program offers crucial technical and financial support for the protection and restoration of the Great Lakes ecosystem. It focuses on priority actions to identify, conserve, and restore habitats and species across both public and private lands within the Great Lakes Basin. This initiative aims to ensure the sustainability of these vital natural resources for future generations.

The Enbridge Community Grant aims to enhance the quality of life in North American communities through strategic donations and sponsorships. With funding ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, the grant supports organizations focused on safety, education, environmental stewardship, and Indigenous culture. Enbridge encourages early applications, with decisions typically made within eight weeks. The grant seeks to empower local initiatives that foster community strength, vibrancy, and sustainability.

The Fred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation is dedicated to fostering a healthy Great Lakes ecosystem and a vibrant Southeast Michigan community. Since its inception, it has invested over $180 million in environmental, cultural, and educational initiatives. As it transitions to spend down its assets by 2034, the Foundation aims to make bold, impactful investments that address urgent community needs and promote sustainable development.

The Chicago Artistic Vitality Grant supports over 175 small, professional arts organizations across various disciplines. It provides essential unrestricted operational funding that allows these organizations to thrive while encouraging artistic innovation. Grantees must be 501(c)(3) public charities or have fiscal sponsors, with expenses under $1 million per year. The grant aims to foster a vibrant arts ecosystem in Chicago, ensuring diverse artistic expressions in every neighborhood, and promotes the sustainability of emerging talent.

The Andrew and Alice Fischer Charitable Trust, administered by First American Bank in Dundee, IL, focuses on funding education for individuals with various challenges, as well as programs for children, seniors, and U.S. veterans. Grants are primarily awarded to organizations in the greater Chicago metropolitan area that face difficulties in securing funding from other sources. This trust aims to support those in need and enhance community welfare.

The Lumpkin Family Foundation has launched the Wellness Grants for Leaders and Frontline Workers to combat burnout in nonprofit organizations. This program offers up to $2,500 for mental wellness initiatives and up to $10,000 for sabbatical leave for senior leaders. Eligible organizations must have received LFF funding within the last three years and adhere to specific guidelines. The foundation prioritizes the mental health of frontline workers to ensure sustainable community service.

The Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Program, initiated by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, aims to foster the growth of clean energy contractor businesses and nonprofits. Targeting areas affected by economic and environmental challenges, this initiative seeks to support local entrepreneurs in Waukegan, Kankakee, Champaign, and Danville. By investing in these communities, the program aspires to enhance the clean energy economy and create equitable job opportunities across Illinois.

The Guy A. and N. Kay Arboit Charitable Trust Grant, administered by First American Bank, focuses on supporting education for underprivileged individuals, funding cardiac and cancer research, and endorsing religious activities, especially those tied to the Catholic Church. Grants are primarily available to organizations in the greater Chicago area that face challenges in accessing other funding sources, ensuring targeted assistance where it is most needed.

Community Finance Initiative 

Advancing the financial resilience of low-income households across the U.S.

This model enables us to engage and support a broad range of organizations across the globe to tackle some of the most pressing social issues of our time.

The Citi Foundation’s 2026 Community Finance Initiative commits $35 million to support programming that bolsters the financial stability, strength and safety of low-income households in the U.S.

Focus Areas

The Foundation seeks to support organizations advancing low-income household financial resilience in the United States across three focus areas:

Stabilize: Programs that help low-income households to build financial skills and confidence to manage daily finances and navigate financial stress.

• Financial coaching on budgeting, credit, debt reduction and savings strategies.
• Digital tools offering personalized financial guidance and product navigation.
• Assistance with public benefits and social safety net programs.

Strengthen: Programs that help low-income households build and repair credit, as well as short- and long-term financial assets.

• Financial products or services for credit building and credit repair.
• Initiatives to increase savings, including emergency funds.
• Support for homeownership, including readiness, preservation and long-term stability (e.g., first-time buyer assistance, preventing displacement and support systems for aging in place resources).

Safeguard: Programs that protect low-income household financial security by preventing and addressing financial losses.

• Education and support for the safe and confident use of digital financial tools.
• Fraud and scam awareness, prevention and recovery initiatives, including protection from identity theft.
• Interventions to help households recover from major financial shocks (e.g., healthcare costs, extended family care, job transitions or natural disasters).

Funding Opportunity

The Foundation plans to award 70 $500,000 (USD) grants (to be disbursed over two years) totaling $35 million to community organizations working in select communities where Citi has a presence.

The grants will be restricted and are anticipated to be disbursed in two annual payments in 2026 and 2027. Proposed projects should be for a term of 24 months, starting no sooner than August 1, 2026 and ending no later than December 31, 2028.

Barrington Area Community Foundation

Purpose

The purpose of the Barrington Area Community Foundation is to establish a permanent, long-term fund for the betterment of the community. The Foundation will use the annual proceeds to support initiatives that benefit the community and maintain our quality of life.

Since 1998 we have received more than $9.0M in contributions and through careful stewardship have raised another $8.0M in investment income to create a permanent fund addressing unmet needs in the Barrington Community.

The Barrington Area is the greater of the Barrington Area Council of Governments (five suburbs with Barrington in the name and Tower Lakes and Deer Park) and School District #220. Population is approximately 45,000.

Mission: The Mission of the Barrington Area Community Foundation is to address the unmet needs of the community.

Barrington Area Community Foundation Grant

The Foundation will evaluate and make grants annually from its permanent funds based on the degree of impact to the area population in School District 220 and the Barrington Area Council of Governments (BACOG) including the greater of the two.

Each grant recipient should demonstrate that they are reaching an unserved group of local citizens with a program that does not duplicate other community charities. All grants are audited and reported to the community. 

The Chicago Commitment: Vital Communities Grant aims to promote racial equity and inclusivity within Chicago by supporting diverse initiatives and organizations. This grant focuses on community-driven development, addressing historical disparities and fostering economic growth through place-based strategies. It encourages community engagement in planning to mitigate the risk of displacement while enhancing access to arts and culture. Eligible organizations must demonstrate a commitment to equitable development and have a track record of community involvement.

The Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Program in Illinois aims to establish a network of incubators to support clean energy contractors and nonprofits in economically challenged areas. With a funding pool of up to $21 million, the program targets regions such as Waukegan, Champaign, and East St. Louis. This initiative seeks to create at least 13 awards ranging from $500,000 to $2.5 million to enhance business opportunities in the clean energy sector.

The Circle of Service Foundation offers grants to enhance community well-being, focusing on areas such as Education, Jewish Community, Medical Research, and Community Services in Cook and Lake Counties, Illinois. The foundation emphasizes challenge grants and invites applications for specific programs or general operating support. Eligible organizations must demonstrate a commitment to raising funds and fulfilling the foundation's mission, while also being classified as public charities under the Internal Revenue Code.

The Chicago White Sox Grant aims to improve the lives of Chicago's underserved communities through funding for programs in child abuse prevention, health and wellness, youth education, and cancer research. With over $47 million distributed, the grant seeks qualified nonprofit organizations that demonstrate strong financial health and impactful outcomes. Interested parties should prepare for the 2027 grant cycle, as inquiries for the 2026 cycle are no longer accepted, with reviews starting in June 2026.

NM Community Impact Donations

Introduction

Northwestern Medicine provides financial support to designated nonprofit organizations and governmental and public entities that are working to address identified community health priorities. Many needs are determined during each hospital’s Community Health Needs Assessment, which is conducted every three years. View a list of priority health needs for each hospital.

Nicor Gas offers Pillar Grants focused on education to support secondary and post-secondary opportunities, including technical and vocational programs. These grants aim to enhance workforce development by fostering partnerships that create awareness of careers in energy and promote diversity and inclusion. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entities serving Nicor Gas’ service area, and grants may not exceed $5,000. Applications are encouraged from those aligning with these educational initiatives.