Best Grants for Museums in Illinois

The IAA Foundation Fellowships support Illinois Farm Families by providing college fellowships to individuals majoring in agriculture or related fields. This initiative aims to enhance the future of agriculture through education, ensuring a qualified workforce in Illinois. The fellowships are available to Illinois Farm Bureau members and their families, fostering community support for future agricultural leaders.

The Norfolk Southern Corporate Giving: Safety First Grant Program aims to enhance community safety across its 22-state network. With grants ranging from $1,000 to $15,000, it supports organizations that provide safety services or promote safe behavior. This program reflects Norfolk Southern's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, empowering employees to engage locally. By investing in safety and workforce development, Norfolk Southern fosters thriving communities, demonstrating its dedication to social responsibility and community well-being.

The NCAA Division II Degree Completion Award provides financial assistance to student-athletes who have exhausted their athletics eligibility, enabling them to complete their first undergraduate degree. Since its inception in 2001, nearly $9 million has supported approximately 1,875 athletes, with a remarkable 90 percent graduation rate among recipients. The award covers tuition costs up to $15,000 for remaining credits and may be used in the summer term or short terms surrounding the final undergraduate year.

Project Lead The Way is offering a rolling grant for schools to implement the PLTW Biomedical Science program for the 2026-2029 academic years. Eligible schools can receive up to $14,000 to cover participation fees and training costs. This grant encourages public, private, and charter schools across the U.S. to enhance their science curriculum, supporting students with engaging, hands-on learning experiences. Schools must commit to offering specific courses during the grant period to qualify for funding.

Illinois public, private, and charter schools starting a PLTW Engineering program for 2025–2026 can receive up to US $16,000 in participation and teacher training costs. Focused on engineering education, Project Lead The Way invites schools, including those serving high-need or minority-majority students, to expand STEM offerings that may enhance museum-related or experiential learning partnerships.

Project Lead The Way (PLTW) offers grants for schools to implement the PLTW Computer Science program from 2025 to 2028. Schools must provide at least one PLTW course in the first year and two courses in the second year. The total grant is $14,000, covering participation fees and training costs. Eligible institutions include public, private, and charter schools located in the U.S., with special encouragement for those serving low-income or minority-majority populations.

The Carolyn Adams Ticket for the Cure Community Outreach Grant aims to enhance breast cancer awareness and education through outreach programs in Illinois. Funded by the Illinois Department of Public Health, this initiative supports organizations conducting activities to promote equity in breast cancer outcomes, focusing on underserved populations. Key goals include increasing knowledge about breast health and facilitating access to screening and support services, ultimately improving health outcomes for women and men affected by breast cancer.

The DeKalb County Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture, established in 1986, supports educational initiatives in agriculture through grants. With deep roots in the community, the Foundation prioritizes projects that enhance agricultural literacy, outreach, and leadership. By funding such initiatives, it aims to broaden understanding and appreciation of agriculture, ensuring a sustainable future for the community's agricultural heritage. This commitment to education and outreach makes the Foundation a vital resource for fostering agricultural knowledge.

The Carolyn Adams Ticket for the Cure Grant supports organizations in Illinois to enhance patient navigation services for breast cancer. By addressing barriers to care, this initiative promotes timely diagnosis and treatment, ultimately improving outcomes for underserved communities. Funding will be allocated to programs that provide culturally competent education and link individuals to critical screening and prevention services. The grant aims to develop infrastructure that fosters equitable access to breast cancer care and support for survivors.

The Eviction Help Illinois Mediation Services Grants, funded by the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation, aim to provide accessible mediation services to residents facing eviction. These grants support nonprofit dispute resolution centers in Illinois, enhancing their capacity to offer free mediation and training for mediators. The program focuses on improving access to fair dispute resolution, especially for those without legal support, ensuring that low-income individuals can navigate eviction processes effectively and maintain housing stability.

Illinois NCAA Division III member institutions seeking to create new assistant coaching positions that advance ethnic minority and gender representation can apply for this coaching enhancement grant. National Collegiate Athletic Association provides Illinois colleges and universities with two years of support for assistant coach salary, wages, and benefits, with a required institutional match and one active grant per school.

The Eviction Help Illinois Grants, provided by the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation, aim to offer civil legal assistance to low-income residents facing eviction. These grants focus on legal services such as advice, representation, and access to mediation resources. By funding nonprofit organizations, the initiative seeks to enhance legal support for vulnerable populations, ensuring they receive the necessary help to maintain housing stability and navigate the complexities of eviction and housing issues effectively.

The Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Rehabilitation Psychology at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab offers a one-year, full-time program with a potential extension to two years. This fellowship provides extensive clinical training in rehabilitation and neuropsychology, focusing on individuals with complex medical conditions. Trainees will engage in individual and group therapy, neuropsychological evaluations, and interdisciplinary collaboration, preparing them for successful careers in rehabilitation psychology. The program emphasizes evidence-based practices and offers supervision and didactic opportunities.

NCAA Division III conferences and institutions in Illinois and other eligible states can apply for grants to create full-time, mid- to senior-level athletics administration positions focused on diversity and inclusion. National Collegiate Athletic Association support covers roles involving strategic planning, budgeting, fundraising, compliance, diversity initiatives, and student-athlete welfare over a five-year commitment.

The FY2026 Adult Protective Services Regional Administrative Agencies (RAA) NOFO provides funding for public or nonprofit agencies to oversee the Department on Aging's Adult Protective Services (APS) Program. Responsibilities include designating APS provider agencies, ensuring staff training, conducting quarterly meetings, and facilitating quality assurance. Eligible applicants are limited to Area Agencies on Aging unless otherwise designated. The program aims to enhance oversight and improve service delivery to vulnerable populations.

The Grandparents and Other Relatives Raising Children Program, managed by the Illinois Department on Aging, offers crucial support for relatives raising children, particularly in response to the rise in grandfamilies due to substance abuse issues. This program provides funding for legal services, respite care, support groups, and counseling, aiming to create safe, stable, and loving homes. Eligible applicants include area agencies, government organizations, and nonprofits, all working to enhance resources for these families.

The Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation's Community Grants Program aims to enhance oral health among Illinois residents, particularly children. With over $5 million awarded over the past decade, the foundation prioritizes programs focusing on oral health education, access to care, and workforce development. Grants range from $1,000 to $20,000, and organizations can reapply yearly. Eligible applicants must be Illinois-based 501(c)(3) charities or governmental entities, addressing specific community needs in oral health.

The Coaching Enhancement Grant - Division II aims to enhance diversity in NCAA coaching by providing financial support for new assistant coaching positions. This grant specifically targets increased representation of ethnic minorities and women in athletics. Selected schools receive funding for three years to cover salaries and benefits, totaling $370,000 annually for up to 21 institutions. Eligible schools must be active NCAA Division II members committed to these diversity efforts.

The Strategic Alliance Matching Grant - Division II offers financial support to enhance ethnic minority and gender representation in mid- to senior-level athletics administration roles across NCAA Division II institutions. With an annual budget of $860,000, the grant aims to fund up to 20 schools and conferences each year. Eligible applicants must be active Division II members and are encouraged to collaborate with their human resources departments during the proposal process, ensuring compliance with grant requirements.

The Gridiron Veterans Scholarship, provided by the Bob Woodruff Foundation, offers essential financial support for military veterans and first responders. This initiative focuses on wellness, rehabilitation, and recovery programs, ensuring participants can access mental health services, physical therapy, and holistic resources. The foundation prioritizes those facing emotional and physical challenges, empowering them to overcome barriers and improve their quality of life through customized, evidence-based support.

IDNR Mission Statement

To manage, conserve and protect Illinois' natural, recreational and cultural resources, further the public's understanding and appreciation of those resources, and promote the education, science and public safety of Illinois' natural resources for present and future generations.

Inflation Reduction Act Urban & Community Forestry Program 23-DG-11094200-327

Description 

To plan for, establish, manage and protect trees, forests, green spaces and related natural resources in and adjacent to cities and towns. The urban and community forestry program provides ecosystem services, social and economic benefits. It links these benefits to governmental, private and grassroots organizations and resources to improve the quality of life in these cities and towns.

Matching Requirement: Yes

The Envisioning Justice Grants by Illinois Humanities support nonprofits using arts and humanities to foster justice and community engagement. With a focus on mass incarceration, these grants prioritize projects that are regional and partnership-oriented, benefiting vulnerable populations. Grants of up to $10,000 are available to applicants across Illinois, particularly from areas with significant incarceration rates. Accessibility and media funds are also offered to enhance project outreach and inclusivity.

The Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant Program- Option Three, managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, funds projects that engage students in creating educational wildlife habitats on school grounds. This initiative targets schools in Chicago and East St. Louis lacking soil for planting, promoting environmental education through the development of native species container gardens. Projects must be publicly accessible, maintained for at least five years, and adhere to specific program guidelines.

Local Law Enforcement Agency Violent Crime Witness Protection Program

The Violent Crime Witness Protection Program (VCWPP) will support reimbursement of implementing agency expenses for the relocation of witnesses, victims, and other related individuals supporting the prosecution of people charged with violent crimes throughout the criminal court process. A total of $10 million in state funding is available through this solicitation. Local law enforcement agencies are eligible to apply.

The VCWPP, established by the Violent Crime Witness Protection Act (725 ILCS 173), was designed to protect victims and witnesses who fear retaliation from those accused of violent crimes. Witnesses are critical in the prosecution of alleged wrongdoers and may be otherwise discouraged from participation due to intimidation or retaliation. Additionally, witnesses may be reluctant to participate due to mental health impacts and lost wages resulting from the need to take time off to attend court. For additional information about this program, please refer to the Violent Crime Witness Protection Program administrative rules, 20 Ill. Admin. Code 1590.10, et. al.

Please note, this is one of two NOFOs issued by ICJIA related to VCWPP. This funding opportunity is limited to local law enforcement agencies in Illinois. Another NOFO targeted towards state’s attorneys’ offices and county sheriff offices can be found on ICJIA's website.

The Workforce Training Support Program aims to assist Illinois manufacturers by providing financial support for workforce training. This initiative addresses the challenges of training and retaining skilled workers in the manufacturing sector. By covering up to 50% of training costs, the program encourages employers to enhance their employees' skills, ensuring a safe and productive work environment. This program supplements existing initiatives, ultimately strengthening the Illinois workforce and supporting local businesses.

The FY26 Rural Support Grant aims to enhance the quality of life for older adults in rural Illinois by addressing specific challenges such as transportation, technology access, and volunteer recruitment. Organizations eligible for funding must be designated Area Agencies on Aging and comply with various requirements. The grant focuses on initiatives that reduce social isolation, improve health outcomes, and strengthen community connections. This funding opportunity promotes sustainable solutions through capacity building and partnership engagement.

The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority is offering the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Transitional Housing Program Grant, providing $2,830,905 in funding for transitional housing services for victims of crimes. This initiative focuses on individuals affected by domestic violence, human trafficking, and more, ensuring they receive necessary support. Applicants must detail housing models, budget for personnel costs, and outline distinct roles for landlords and service providers, including a mandatory case manager for each program.