Best Mental Health Grants in Illinois

Illinois 501(c)(3) organizations serving Chicago and Cook County residents with mental health, youth, senior, or humanitarian programs can apply for flexible support from the Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust. Focused on values-based initiatives, the Trust invites nonprofits addressing children’s mental health, emotional development, and related community challenges to seek funding for their work.

Illinois nonprofits and schools supporting children’s mental or physical health, financial education, or affordable housing may be eligible for funding to expand programs or services. Focused on financial education, children’s health, and affordable housing, GreenState Credit Union invites organizations in its Illinois service areas, including Rockford, Freeport, Quad Cities, and suburban Chicago, to apply for community-focused project support.

Illinois 501(c)(3) organizations creating or expanding community gardens on underutilized green spaces can seek project-based support to promote healthy living and wellbeing. Grants from The Lumpkin Family Foundation help Chicago-area groups increase access to healthy food, support youth wellness, and may benefit programs that incorporate mental health and holistic community health activities.

The Land, Health, Community Grant Program: Chicagoland, administered by The Lumpkin Family Foundation, focuses on fostering healthy communities through funding for innovative, collaborative projects. Grants of up to $10,000 are available for organizations that aim to address systemic inequalities and promote health and wellness. This program seeks initiatives that enhance access to nutritious food, support mental health, and engage communities in sustainable practices, ultimately striving to create vibrant, equitable neighborhoods in the Chicagoland area.

Legal services nonprofits, solo practitioners, and small law firms in Illinois pursuing impact litigation can apply for the Impact Fund’s recoverable grants, awarding US $10,000 - US $50,000 for out-of-pocket litigation costs. Cases addressing economic, environmental, racial, or social injustice that affect communities facing systemic oppression, including those involving mental health and incarceration, may be competitive.

Illinois community colleges seeking funding to strengthen campus mental health supports in Illinois can apply for grants ranging from US $50,000 - US $180,000 to enhance services and programs. Illinois Community College Board provides Illinois mental health and vocational education institutions with support to expand awareness, training, peer support, partnerships, and evaluation of mental health initiatives.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving financially disadvantaged children with health, education, welfare, or mental health programs in the St. Louis, Missouri–Illinois metro area may be eligible for this funding. Dana Brown Charitable Trust also supports child-focused programs using wild animals or zoology, especially those fostering mental health, support, and community building.

The 510-FEPP First Episode Presentation Program, funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services, aims to provide evidence-based treatment for early serious mental illness, particularly first episode psychosis. Utilizing Coordinated Specialty Care teams, the program targets individuals aged 14-40 who have experienced psychosis within the last 18 months. It focuses on reducing symptoms, improving functioning, and promoting recovery while addressing systemic inequities and fostering inclusivity across diverse communities.

Nonprofit organizations, school districts, and government agencies working on mental health, education, youth, families, or Brown County, IL initiatives in select Illinois counties can apply for Tracy Family Foundation support. Tracy Family Foundation provides Illinois mental health and related programs with annual rolling and cycle grant opportunities, following an initial Interest Form review process.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations addressing domestic violence, homelessness, immigration support, or food insecurity in Rock Island County and Scott County can receive operational or program support through the Teens for Tomorrow Grant. Quad Cities Community Foundation’s youth-led program may benefit Illinois groups whose services include mental health support within these issue areas, with awards up to US $10,000.

Mental health providers delivering community-based psychiatric and nursing services in northwest Illinois counties can apply for the Illinois Department of Human Services’ Community Support Team Grant Program; awards approximately US $380,708 to expand CST capacity. Funding supports unfunded Northwest Crisis Care System consumers in Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle, Stephenson, Winnebago, and Whiteside counties.

Illinois organizations serving justice-involved youth with mental health needs can access funding for liaison-led screening, referral, and community-based service coordination in Illinois. Illinois Department of Human Services provides support to programs connecting juvenile court, probation, schools, and communities, with a focus on equity, racial justice, and inclusive mental health services for youth and families.

Nonprofit organizations and community groups needing capital assets, equipment, or facility renovations for programs in DeKalb County, Illinois can apply for Community Needs Grants, with requests up to $20,000. Dekalb County Community Foundation supports mental health and human services, along with education, arts and culture, environment, animal welfare, and community development projects.

Illinois 501(c)(3) organizations working on mental health, nature-based wellness, and sustainable food systems in East Central Illinois can seek US $2,500 - US $50,000 for programs and projects. The Lumpkin Family Foundation prioritizes rural communities, especially Coles County and surrounding areas, that connect residents with nature, healthy food, and collaborative community initiatives.

Division of Early Childhood

The Department of Human Services Division of Early Childhood (DEC) was established as a standalone IDHS division in 2021 to help strengthen and centralize the state's existing child care, home visiting, and early intervention programs, as well as operationalize and create administrative capacity to establish sustainable infrastructure needs in order to streamline services.

Working hand-in-hand with local communities throughout Illinois, the Division of Early Childhood provides low-income, working families with access to quality, affordable child care; administers community-based prevention and intervention programs; and helps all children between the ages of birth to three with disabilities or delays, to learn and grow.

480-50-3708 Migrant and Seasonal Head Start

Description

Scope of Work

Provide a full-day, comprehensive Head Start child development program to children, ages six weeks to six years, from migrant and seasonal farm-worker families. Program includes early childhood education, school readiness, developmental assessment, mental health screening, field trips, project work, immunizations, nutritious meal service and medical and dental examinations, completion of dental and medical treatment for children who need it, social-service referrals and transportation services.

Announcement Type: Renewal

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.

Government, education, and nonprofit organizations in Illinois can apply for funding to operate community-based outpatient fitness restoration programs for adults and juveniles found unfit to stand trial. Grants from Illinois Department of Human Services support mental health, substance use treatment, housing case management, and legal education services, including telehealth, to expand outpatient forensic restoration and reduce inpatient waitlists.

Eligible behavioral health providers in rural Stark and Marshall counties can apply for approximately US $121,000 to expand mental health and substance use services across the lifespan. With a mission to strengthen access to care, Illinois Department of Human Services supports crisis intervention, case management, outreach, counseling, Mental Health First Aid, suicide intervention trainings, and community education events.

Illinois Capital Development Board

CDB oversees the construction of new state facilities, such as prisons, state parks, mental health institutions, and college and university projects. In addition, CDB is responsible for renovation and rehabilitation projects at over 8,770 state-owned buildings spread over more than 100 million square feet of floor space.

CDB Mission

Provide high-quality and sustainable facilities for Illinois and the public interest.

Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park

The Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park is a funding opportunity for quantum research office and labs. The Capital Development Board is awarding a maximum of $136,900,000.00 for this project. The grant agreement will be issued for a maximum contract period of five years, and all projects must be operational at the end of the grant term. The grantee must comply with various requirements, including the Illinois Grant Funds Recovery Act, the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act, and the Illinois Procurement Code. Some key aspects of the project include:

• Funding for quantum research office and labs
• Grant agreement for a maximum of five years
• Compliance with various state and federal regulations
• Requirement for grantees to have an open-door policy for periodic visits by CDB monitors
• Grantee must provide documentation upon request and maintain contact with CDB staff

Illinois children’s safety-net organizations sustaining or enhancing mental and oral health services for vulnerable children in Illinois can access funding through Illinois Children's Healthcare Foundation. Grants up to US $300,000 over three years support direct services, care coordination, referral networks, co-located services, and capacity-building to better serve children, including those enrolled in Medicaid.

Government agencies and nonprofits in Illinois that serve adults 60+ can receive funding for supportive services, in-home care, and senior centers that include mental health services. With a mission to maximize older adults’ quality of life, Illinois Department on Aging provides Area Agencies on Aging with resources to sub-grant for transportation, case management, adult day care, and related supports.

The Universal Leaf Foundation Grants support 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations primarily in areas where Universal Leaf Tobacco Company operates. Focus areas include education for at-risk individuals, higher education, civic/community arts, and environmental initiatives. The Foundation emphasizes good corporate citizenship and community engagement through financial support and employee volunteerism. Organizations must operate within designated geographic areas and cannot be involved in political advocacy or restrict services based on demographics. Grants aim to enhance community well-being and educational opportunities.

Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations in Illinois and nearby counties that received Lumpkin Family Foundation funding in the last three years can apply for wellness support grants and sabbatical leave, with awards up to US $10,000 for staff and leader mental health and rest. Mental health nonprofits with smaller budgets may receive preference.

Communities of Color Special At Risk Population 

The initiative is funded through State of Illinois general revenue funding, and funds HIV prevention, education, testing, and care programs targeting communities of color - specifically programs with the capacity to reach special at risk minority populations to include, but not limited to, men who have sex with men, people experiencing homeless, ex-offenders, sex workers, those with a history of mental illness or substance abuse, and other difficult to reach populations. These specific efforts are necessary due to the unique problems that many of these individuals may face that places them at greater risk for HIV disease.

Objective

This funding should aim to reduce health disparities and health inequities where they exist. Health equity exists when all people have the opportunity to thrive and no one is limited in achieving comprehensive health and wellness because of their social position or any other social factors/determinants of health such as income, education, race/ethnicity, sexual identity, and disability.

Illinois 501(c)(3) nonprofits focused on mental health and social welfare can seek funding for capital projects, multi-year programs, and related operating costs serving Rock Island County. Focused on culture, education, and social welfare, the Hubbell-Waterman Foundation invites organizations supporting student and family mental health and related services to apply.

Nonprofit or public agencies providing employment services and mental health-supported employment in Illinois can apply for approximately US $360,000 to recruit and employ full-time IPS Trainers. Illinois Department of Human Services supports IPS implementation and technical assistance statewide, with a focus on equity, racial justice, and inclusive service provision for diverse communities.

Organizations in Illinois that train or support mental health and substance use recovery peers can apply for Illinois Department of Human Services’ CRSS Success Program, with awards from US $451,468 - US $1,178,000 for workforce development. Funding supports recovery support training, supervised experience, and wraparound services to expand the behavioral health workforce and advance equity.