Best Winnebago County Grants for Nonprofits in Illinois

Mercy Health Freeport Area- Volunteer Services Scholarship Program

One $1,000 scholarship is available to a student pursuing a health care career. The student must be an active member of Mercyhealth’s Student Volunteer Program with a minimum of 40 career hours, and must reside in Stephenson, Jo Daviess, Carroll, Ogle, or Winnebago counties.

The student must currently be enrolled in an accredited program of study involving the following health care careers:

• Imaging/Radiology Technology (cardiac, diagnostic or vascular ultrasound, CT technology, MRI, radiology, or nuclear medicine)
• Medical Assistant
• Nursing (Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse)
• Rehabilitation Services (Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Language Pathology)
• Respiratory Therapy
• Surgical Technology

Dennis Taylor Scholarship Foundation

The foundation was established to confer scholarships on students majoring in Performing Arts (Theatre, Dance, Vocal and Instrumental Music) at the College/University level as well as grants for performing arts classes, seminars, and related expenses, or for costs associated with college/university applications and auditions for students of the Performing Arts as determined by the Board of Directors. Scholarships are available to applicants residing in the Northern Illinois area. College/University Scholarships are expected to be $500-$1000 and Performing Arts grants will be in the order of $300. Recipients will audition and be selected on a merit basis by the Board of Directors. The Scholarship Foundation has been set up in memory of Dennis Taylor who served as a dancer, choreographer, costumer and wig designer in the western suburbs for more than five decades.

Dennis Taylor Scholarship Foundation: Performing Arts Grant

Grant Applications are accepted at any time of year, preferable 6-8 weeks prior to the performing arts class, seminar, workshop, or similar event.

Performing arts students may request a grant to cover expenses associated with college/university applications or auditions.

Illinois Energy Transition Navigators Program (CEJA) (IL)

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (the “Department” or “DCEO”) is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) to support the Illinois Energy Transition Navigators Program. The goal is to establish a network of community-based providers across the state of Illinois. These providers will offer community education, outreach, and recruitment services to encourage eligible individuals to participate in clean energy workforce and contractor development programs.

The Energy Transition Navigators Program will provide outreach and recruitment for the CEJA workforce and contractor programs. The Department seeks to contract with the community-based provider(s) (“Navigator Teams”) to connect people to the CEJA workforce and contractor programs. Navigator Teams will provide outreach and recruitment services to eligible populations to ensure they are aware of and engaged in the statewide and local workforce and contractor development programs.

Navigator Teams will prioritize individuals eligible for the following programs:

• Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program (20 ILCS 730/5-20) - Creates 13 workforce hubs run by community-based organizations to provide clean jobs training and a career pipeline for eligible participants.
• Illinois Climate Works Pre-apprenticeship Program (20 ILCS 730/5-40) - Creates 3 preapprenticeship centers to train equity investment eligible individuals for careers in clean energy sector construction and building trades.

To ensure that people are fully able to participate in these two workforce programs, Navigator Teams will assist eligible individuals in accessing Energy Transition Barrier Reduction Program services (20 ILCS 730/5-30), including tools, mentoring, travel stipends, work clothes, certifications, childcare, and other support services. These services will be offered through the Climate Jobs Workforce Network and the Illinois Climate Works Pre-apprenticeship Programs. 

Additionally, Navigator Teams will engage eligible individuals to participate in the following programs:

• Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Program (20 ILCS 730/5-45) - Creates regional contractor incubators to provide training, mentorship, low-cost capital, business planning, low-interest loans, and recruitment opportunities for small clean energy businesses and contractors.
• Clean Energy Primes Contractor Accelerator Program (20 ILCS 730/5-55) - A program for contractors seeking to expand their capacity and fill the role of the prime contractor on clean energy projects through a structured five-year program with mentorship, operation support grants, business coaching, assistance applying for certifications, procurement programs, and preparing bids

Funding

$200000 - $500000

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.

State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) Technical Assistance (TA) Grant Program – Loan TA Program – Region 4: North 

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (the “Department” or “DCEO”) is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) to seek application proposals from qualified technical assistance providers to deliver assistance to businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals (SEDI1) or very small businesses (VSBs2) participating in, or seeking assistance from the state’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) funded programs. The technical assistance providers will provide support to eligible beneficiaries of the SSBCI Technical (TA) Grant Program located in Region 4: North. Specifically, the Illinois SSBCI Technical Assistance Grant Program will be delivered via two programs: the Venture Capital TA Program and the Loan TA Program.

The primary focus of this NOFO is the Loan TA Program which will assist eligible small businesses in applying for SSBCI funding and other government small business programs. The Loan TA Program will prioritize services that promote equitable economic opportunities for participating businesses across the state by enhancing their awareness and readiness to apply for and acquire capital, in addition to fostering entrepreneurial growth, and enhancing financial and business management skills.

The Venture Capital TA Program will be offered via a separate NOFO.