Search Through Workforce Grants in Illinois in the U.S.

The Minneapolis Foundation

The Minneapolis Foundation drives collective action to realize strong, vibrant communities. We cultivate generosity by taking action on the greatest civic, social, and economic needs—partnering with nonprofits, facilitating grantmaking, driving research and advocacy, and providing services to donors seeking to make a difference in their communities.

Great Lakes Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program

In partnership with the Midwest Environmental Justice Network, NDN Collective, and RE-AMP Network, the Minneapolis Foundation will award environmental justice grants to organizations working in and for underserved communities throughout the Great Lakes region.

Grants will be awarded to community-based nonprofits and other eligible organizations in the following three tiers:

• Tier 1: Assessment and Engagement
• Tier 2: Community Education and Planning
• Tier 3: Project Development and Implementation

We aim to distribute 30% of grant funding to federally recognized tribes and Native American organizations, 25% to rural communities, and 45% to urban communities. The partnership anticipates making 206 grants: 83 in Year 1, 85 in Year 2, and 38 in Year 3.

You may submit an application for multiple tiers at the same time, in any order.

Program Goal

The Great Lakes TCGM Partnership will distribute grants to organizations working in and for underserved communities throughout the Great Lakes region. The partnership was selected by the EPA as one of 11 grantmakers around the nation in its new Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking program.

The program’s goal is to lift up community-led innovation and strengthen community-based groups by breaking down barriers to federal funding. All grants will be given to environmental and public health efforts in underserved communities as defined by the EPA.

Issue Areas

Grants will support projects that focus on issues including, but not limited to:

• Environmental health
• Air, soil, and water quality
• Healthy homes
• Access to healthy food
• Stormwater and green infrastructure
• Emergency preparedness
• Disaster resilience
• Environmental job training

Tier 3: Project Development and Implementation

Tier 3 awards are one- to two-year grants of up to $350,000 to pilot or implement project plans. Projects may have educational and outreach components, but must focus on developing tangible community assets or providing environmental or public health benefits to one or more disadvantaged communities. Up to 50% of the grant can be used for relevant property acquisition or purchase. Grants will be paid on a reimbursement basis, with a small number of grantees eligible for one advance payment of up to 10% of the total grant.

Eligible activities include, but are not limited to:

• Strengthening cumulative impact, public health, or environmental protections
• Increasing access to healthy food
• Reducing the use of pesticides or toxic substances
• Cleaning up contaminated sites
• Conducting healthy home assessments
• Increasing energy or water efficiency in homes or buildings
• Launching community energy or water efficiency programs
• Installing water filters; developing community gardens
• Creating community resilience hubs
• Installing green infrastructure projects
• Creating internships or implementing workforce development programs

You need not develop a new project to receive a grant. These one-time grants are well suited to support existing work that is currently not funded by another source or to complement other projects for which you already have funding. We also welcome proposals for high-priority new projects. 

Exelon is proud to support nonprofit organizations and students in our local communities.  We encourage you to learn about our programs highlighted on this page and offered by our regional Operating Companies.

If you are new here, please review our Operating Company Programs to see if your organization is within our services territories and if your program might be a good fit. 

Focus Areas

We fund programs that deliver measurable, sustainable improvements in the communities we serve. We invest in organizations that have proven track records in these areas:

Exelon funds organizations, institutions, and programs that offer science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education and enrichment opportunities for students; scholarship and mentoring support to increase the number of students graduating with college degrees in STEM fields, STEM career and technical education, occupational skills training programs for older youth and adults, and assistance to remove barriers to employment.

Exelon funds organizations and programs that improve the quality of our environment; promote environmental education, conservation, and preservation; develop cleaner sources of energy; protect endangered species; and beautify neighborhoods.

Exelon funds a broad range of organizations and institutions that create local employment opportunities, support families, foster resilience, and strengthen communities. Our employees leverage Dollars for Doers and Matching Gifts to deepen the impact of their contributions of time and treasure to thousands of local non-profit organizations.

Exelon funds cultural institutions with broad public exposure and programs designed to make arts and culture more accessible to a wider and more diverse audience. Exelon believes that our lives are enriched, and our communities are strengthened through individual interactions and collective experiences with the arts.

Hendricks Family Foundation - Impact Grant

In line with the Foundation’s mission, vision and values, we provide grant support to organizations to achieve local, measurable impact in these key priority areas:

• Career and Workforce Development
• Education
• Public Safety
• Strong and Vibrant Community
• Veteran & Veteran Families

Organizations interested in requesting a grant of $100,000 or less should apply for an Impact grant, regardless of focus.

Our Mission

The Old National Bank Foundation believes that social responsibility is essential to fostering vibrant, sustainable communities. We realize this belief through strategic partnerships with charitable organizations addressing defined community needs.

Old National Bank Foundation

The Old National Bank Foundation makes contributions to nonprofit organizations to fund widespread community impact programs and/or projects. The Foundation is part of Old National's overall charitable giving initiative, which enables us to support programs that improve quality of life in areas of Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin where our clients, associates and shareholders live and work.

Invested in our communities

Caring for our clients means being an active and dynamic partner in the cities and towns we serve. Through sponsorships, Old National helps organizations improve the quality of life in the areas where our clients, associates and shareholders live and work.

Old National Bank Foundation Sponsorships

Old National sponsorships provide monetary support for events or activities, while enabling us to partner with many community organizations. Typically such sponsorships are in exchange for advertising and/or publicity that directly benefits Old National. Our goal is to make meaningful contributions, measure the results of our sponsorships, and work closely with the organizations we support.

Here are examples of the types of activities we sponsor:

• One-time events
• Fundraisers
• Golf tournaments/scrambles
• Corporate tables at galas
• Sporting events
• Special events (telethons, marathons, races or benefits)

Notice of Funding Opportunity Intent

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (the "Department" or "DCEO") in partnership with the Illinois State Board of Education is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity ("NOFO") to launch the Clean Energy Career Pathway Program. In 2021, Governor Pritzker signed the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act ("CEJA") to incentivize renewable energy development, accelerate electric vehicle ("EV") infrastructure, create statewide clean energy workforce training programs, and equitably support energy transitions. This grant program will be an avenue to recruit students into the fields that support in-demand jobs in the clean energy sector, allowing students to be prepared for a career leading to steady employment and a livable wage. The grant will provide funding to eligible applicants to support the development and implementation of Clean Energy Career Pathways in districts and schools.

Program Description

The Clean Energy Career Pathway Program will provide funding directly to eligible recipients to support the planning and implementation of a Clean Energy Career Pathway. Programs will include coursework, field experiences, and work-based learning designed to prepare students for entrance into careers focusing on clean energy. To ensure equitable pathways for students, this funding opportunity seeks qualified, eligible entities working with secondary school students in partnership with Local Workforce Innovation Areas and institutions of higher education. This program will recruit students into clean energy fields (with a priority for EV occupations) and create pathways encompassing technical and employability skills with dual credit options.

The grant shall be awarded to selected applicants for a period of two years. The first year can be a planning period for grantees to establish the curriculum, modernize the classroom or provide professional development to instructors. In the second year, grantees will pilot a clean energy career pathway program focusing on occupations that support electric vehicle infrastructure. Planning periods may be less than a year if the program is ready for implementation.

Matching funds are not required; however, projects that include matching or leveraged funds from multiple funding sources will be given priority consideration.

Fall Cycle: Consolidated Communications Fund for Economic Development and Community Leadership 

The shareholders, managers, and employees of Consolidated Communications value their connection to the communities in which they live and in which the company does business. We know our lives are greatly enhanced by the good works of many men and women working on staff or as volunteers with the community and nonprofit organizations. As well, our community is made more vibrant by the creativity and effort of those working across sectors, as entrepreneurs or educators, to drive a vibrant, local economy. Nonprofit organizations that support the efforts of these community leaders are frequently undercapitalized and often lack the financial resources or the human capital – but not the potential – to build truly great institutions and communities. This Fund has been created to recognize their good works and to provide incentives to achieve the fullest community potential.

Mission and Grant Areas: Economic Development and Community Leadership

Telligen Community Initiative (TCI) will continue to provide community-based funding support in 2025. This document outlines our funding approach and application process. Our Board of Directors has elected to move TCI’s resources largely to a more focused Strengthening Families and Communities funding opportunity. Moving forward, our Social Determinants of Health approach will be significantly different and more condensed, based on the last two years of applicant and funding experience. We will focus solely on those philanthropic resources at the intersection of Social Determinants of Health and within the context of work to build resiliency of youth and families. This intentionality will provide a greater focus of our support and narrow the applicant pool. Based on ongoing applicant survey feedback and TCI’s belief that the issues we want to resource need more intense and consistent funding support, TCI is transitioning to two-year funding periods in this call for applicants. We are also tabling our Health Workforce Development funding interest for the time being. We will have two grant deadlines again in 2025, with deadlines for two-state groupings staggered during the year

Strengthening the Bilingual Mental Health Workforce Initiative

Since August 2022, Illinois has received more than 41,000 men, women, and children who are categorized as “new arrivals.” To achieve desired health and well-being outcomes, new arrivals require a healthcare workforce that is culturally and linguistically reflective of the community being served, including behavioral health professionals. In response to this unmet and emerging need, ILCHF is issuing the request for proposals for the “STRENGTHENING THE BILINGUAL MENTAL HEALTH WORKFORCE INITIATIVE” grant opportunity. This initiative seeks to provide two-year grants of up to $100,000 each for nonprofit organizations that have the demonstrated capacity to provide bilingual clinical supervision to intermediate to fully bilingual advanced degree interns, or intermediate to fully bilingual recent graduates receiving clinical supervision hours towards their clinical licensure.

Match General Operating Support for Recipients of Government Grants – People, Power and Policy RFP

This funding opportunity provides general operating support to community-serving organizations currently managing government grants to help them adequately cover the true administrative and compliance costs.

Background

Congress has appropriated $4.5 trillion in relief and recovery aid to address the public health emergency and the economic hardship provoked by the COVID-19 pandemic. The final pandemic recovery bill, the American Rescue Plan Act, included a historic and unprecedented appropriation of $350 billion for State and Local Fiscal Recovery – discretionary funds to state and local governments to respond to their communities’ unique economic and public health needs, including emergency rental assistance, support for small businesses, and piloting innovative programs like guaranteed income. The approximately $11 billion the State of Illinois, City of Chicago, and Cook County received from this package must be fully obligated by the end of 2024 and spent by the end of 2026.

While a robust infusion of resources was and continues to be necessary to meet the immediate needs of those dealing with the economic impact of COVID-19, it is imperative to ensure these funds reach the communities and households suffering from historic disinvestment and the greatest financial hardship. Community-based organizations are crucial to ensuring federal funds reach theses communities. However, applying for, deploying, or meeting compliance requirements of government grants can be challenging for smaller, less-resourced organizations.

Goals & Outcomes

In addition to ensuring organizations can overcome barriers and challenges to managing government funds in the short term, the Trust’s longer-term goal is to advocate for reforms in government grantmaking and procurement processes to dismantle these barriers and challenges altogether.

Priority Strategies & Activities

Since the Trust began grantmaking under the Equitable and Inclusive Economic Recovery strategy, we have learned that the challenges organizations face when managing government grants and contracts are not unique to ARPA or other pandemic response and recovery appropriations but rather reflective of systemic barriers and challenges associated with government grants in general, regardless of the government level which funds originate. As such, the Trust will not restrict eligibility to organizations managing ARPA-funded grants but will prioritize organizations managing these one-time funds.

Priority will be given to organizations managing government grants that fund programmatic activities that align with the following issue areas:

• Community Investment: Grants that enable economic and community development, support small businesses, or invest in infrastructure projects.
• Community Safety: Such grants fund organizations to engage in or promote alternative emergency response, provide support to people who have experienced violence, support returning citizens, engage in violence prevention, or reform the criminal justice system.
• Household Supportive Services: These grants enable organizations to provide human services to individuals and households who need assistance meeting their basic needs, or promote access to public benefits, including direct cash assistance.
• Housing: Grants enabling organizations to provide or connect residents in need to housing resources such as affordable rental housing, assistance for homeowners, rental assistance, shelter, or other supports for people experiencing or at risk of being unhoused.
• Workforce Development: Grants that support organizations to connect people to employment opportunities, assist people with wraparound support to sustain employment, or provide job training. Such grants may also fund organizations to provide employment opportunities for youth.

Funding

Grant awards will equal 10 percent of the total amount of the government grant for which match general operating support is requested, up to $50,000. While organizations may receive multiple government grants, match support will only be granted toward one government grant. This grant is not eligible for renewal.

About

Through its grantmaking and other policy-focused efforts, the Foundation seeks to:

• Racial Equity: Incorporate the voices of, and achieve more equitable outcomes for, Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) communities in the Great Lakes region.
• Economic Mobility: Improve the ability of individuals in the Great Lakes region to move up the economic ladder within a lifetime or from one generation to the next.
• Next Generation: Incorporate the voices of, and improve outcomes for, the next generation of Great Lakes residents, defined as young people born after 2000.

Education & Economic Mobility Grants

The mission of the Education & Economic Mobility Program is to close income and race disparities in college and career success through equitable access to high-quality education. We invest in local, state and federal policies that aim to ensure historically underserved young people 1) have effective educators; 2) graduate high school with academic and career momentum; and 3) attain affordable college credentials with economic value. In the short term, we will invest in research, policy development, and advocacy to help young people recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Effective Educators

Evidence is clear that teachers and principals are the main in-school driver of student success. Yet, young people of color and those from underserved communities often have inexperienced, unqualified, or ineffective educators. To ensure historically marginalized students have top-notch and diverse educators, the Foundation invests in research, policy development, advocacy, and technical assistance to: 1) use data to better align educator supply and demand; 2) diversify the educator pipeline; 3) build strong pathways from high school into teaching; and 4) spread innovative school staffing models that attract educators, boost retention, and improve student outcomes. Our investments focus on Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota and national efforts.

College and Career Readiness

There is overwhelming evidence that a college degree significantly improves life outcomes. Yet not enough high school students—especially young people of color and those from underserved communities—are prepared to succeed in post-secondary. To help students get on the right path, the Foundation supports federal and state policies to: 1) align K-12, higher education, and workforce systems; 2) increase access and success in rigorous courses; and 3) increase access to high-quality work-based learning activities connected to careers with family-sustaining wages.

Post-Secondary Success

A post-secondary degree remains the surest path to social and economic mobility. Yet colleges fail to enroll and graduate students of color and students from low-income households at the same rate as White and wealthier students. This contributes to racial and socioeconomic disparities in education and career outcomes. To address these disparities, the Joyce Foundation supports federal and state policies that: 1) scale proven student support models to improve community college outcomes; 2) preserve access for students of color and rural students to affordable, high- quality public college options and labor markets that require college degrees; 3) seek racial and family income representativeness at selective public universities; and 4) narrow gaps in post-graduate financial outcomes for students of color and low-income students.

Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity

The Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity’s mission is to support and maintain a climate that enables a strong economy. Our grant programs support this mission by providing funds to organizations throughout Illinois for many different purposes.

Tourism Attraction Grant Program

Intent

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (the “Department” or “DCEO”) is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity to provide grants to assist in the development or improvement of tourism attractions that increase the economic impact of tourism throughout the State. Grantees must be able to match grant dollars. The Tourism Attractions Grant program is part of a broader effort underway to help reinvigorate tourism in Illinois, and help the tourism industry on a path to economic recovery and welcome more visitors to Illinois. Grants up to $500,000 will be awarded to develop and enhance Illinois tourism attractions.

Program Description

Section 8a(1) of the Illinois Promotion Act (20 ILCS 665/1 et seq.) authorizes the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to award grants to counties, municipalities, units of local government, not-for-profit organizations, local promotion groups and for-profit businesses for the development or improvement of tourism attractions in Illinois.

Tourism Attractions are defined as fishing and hunting areas, State parks, historical/cultural sites, areas of historic or scenic interest, museums, recreation areas, botanical gardens, theme/amusement parks, interpretive programs and other facilities or businesses that attract or serve visitors that are open to the public for a minimum of 100 days per year and are marketed and promoted to visitors from more than 50 miles away.

Performance Goals and Measures

Applicant must identify performance measurements they will use to identify successful outcomes as a result of the capital investment; such as:

• Anticipated number or percentage of increased visitation as a result of the capital investment;
• Anticipated increase in local hotel tax revenue to the area served after completion of the project;
• Anticipated increase in local sales tax revenue after completion of the project.

Equitable Energy Future Grant Program

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity to provide seed funding and pre-development funding opportunities to eligible contractors to support the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects benefitting businesses, community organizations, and the workforce in historically disadvantaged communities. The grant program is designed to help remove barriers to project, community and business development caused by lack of capital.

Funding

Award Range - $250000 - $1000000

Job Training Economic Development Program (IL)

Notice of Funding Opportunity Intent

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (the “Department” or “DCEO”) is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) to set forth the requirements for the Illinois Job Training and Economic Development ("JTED") Grant: Home Illinois Workforce Pilot. This initiative is funded by State of Illinois General Revenue Funds appropriated by the General Assembly in the State Fiscal Year 2024 budget. The requirements contained in this NOFO follow 20 ILCS 605/605-415 ("JTED Act") and the rules adopted in support of the JTED Act, 56 Ill. Admin. Code Part 2660 ("JTED Rules").

The aftermath of the pandemic has had a significant impact on the number of individuals experiencing housing insecurity. Through this NOFO the Department is partnering with the Illinois Department of Human Services ("IDHS") and the Illinois Interagency Task Force on Homelessness to Prevent and End Homelessness to support strategies identified in Illinois’ Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness (the "Plan"). The NOFO will support Strategy #3 (Secure Financial Stability) of the Plan by funding a pilot project to be implemented in three to five Continuum of Care ("COC") areas in Illinois that connect people who are experiencing homelessness to employment and that demonstrate systemic coordination of the homeless response system and workforce system. The intended result of coordinating to improve employment opportunities is to improve the financial stability of individuals and their ability to afford permanent housing in their communities. 

Funding

This grant program is utilizing State of Illinois General Revenue Funds appropriated by the General Assembly in the State Fiscal Year budget. Total amount of funding expected to be awarded through this NOFO is $5,000,000. Awards will range from $1,000,000 to $2,000,000. The Department expects to make 3-5 awards through this NOFO.

Mission

The mission of the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) is to advance the progress of medicine and improve the public's health by providing U.S. researchers, health professionals, the public health workforce, educators, and the public with equal access to biomedical and health information resources and data. NNLM’s main goals are to work through libraries and other members to support a highly trained workforce for biomedical and health information resources and data, improve health literacy, and increase health equity through information.

Purpose

The NNLM Regional Medical Libraries (RMLs) and Offices rely upon partnerships. The award’s primary aims are to widen access to and awareness of health information resources, with a focus on those resources provided by the NLM. The programs are intended to help a variety of users:

• With a focus on minority and other underrepresented populations and the healthcare professionals who serve them
• Make the most effective use of information and decision-support resources to promote healthy behaviors
• Prevent costly and debilitating illness
• Improve health outcomes when disease occurs

Potential Project Ideas

Potential projects might include but are not limited to this list:

• Training underrepresented healthcare professionals or professionals that work with underrepresented populations in the effective use of electronic health information resources for evidence-based practice with an emphasis on NLM databases and NNLM resources.
• Placing web-accessible devices in locations where they can be used to research health information needs by unaffiliated healthcare professionals such as free clinics, community health centers, etc.
• Improving access to health information and technology for those groups without adequate access to information services.
• Exhibiting or presenting at local meetings or organizational events to share completed outreach projects and promote NLM products and services.
• Evaluating health information and training needs of a target audience and implementing a training plan for that audience.
• Programs on locating and evaluating authoritative consumer health information.
• Incorporating NLM health and science information resources into new or existing health programs. See National Health Observances for some ideas.
• Development of supplemental educational materials using NLM resources.  
• Train-the-Trainer projects that enhance the skills of the service-providing staff and other consumer health information intermediaries to train participants on locating and evaluating health information.

Background

The Citi Foundation’s Global Innovation Challenge is an open call for applications or request for proposals (RFP) designed to provide catalytic grant funding to community organizations across the world. This year, the Foundation invites proposals from community organizations developing innovative employment solutions for low-income youth primarily between the ages of 15 and 24.

Funding Overview

Despite recent progress, young people globally continue to experience challenges in their pursuit of employment, including skills mismatch and gaining access to quality jobs. According to the International Labour Organization, 65 million young people globally are unemployed. Since the Citi Foundation’s inception, advancing youth employability has been integral to our mission of supporting low-income communities globally. The Citi Foundation invested more than $300 million over the last decade alone in programs that supported over one million young people in expanding their skills, experience and networks through its Pathways to Progress initiative. Building on our funding journey, this year’s Global Innovation Challenge is focused on youth employability, and we invite proposals from community organizations developing innovative employment solutions for low-income youth primarily between the ages of 15 and 24

These innovative solutions could include, but are not limited to:

• Technical and vocational training programs that upskill or reskill low-income youth and move them into employment, which could include paid internships, apprenticeships or formal employment.
• Entrepreneurship programming that specifically focuses on the incubation or scaling of youth-led enterprises to increase job creation and access to selfgenerated income.
• Efforts to embed financial education programming into workforce development initiatives equipping low-income youth with financial skills and access to safe and affordable financials tools. 

 Communityworks Grant Competition

The Community Foundation of Kankakee River Valley’s mission is to build endowment funds for our region over time, and it strives to bring together individuals and organizations to assess community needs, to build greater endowment funds, to convene area leaders around important issues, and to distribute grant awards to worthy nonprofit organizations. The Foundation also serves as a neutral leader with no direct affiliation with any group, religion, political or governmental entity.

The goal of the Community Foundation is to improve the quality of life in both greater Kankakee and Iroquois Counties by supporting initiatives that are not currently being adequately funded. Grants awarded by the Community Foundation originate from income generated by our Communityworks Endowment Fund, a visionary initiative to help the Community Foundation build endowments for making grant awards, particularly in the following focus areas:

• Early Childhood Education
• Land Use & Protection
• Workforce Development

Grant-funded recipients of the Communityworks Endowment Fund are encouraged to address one or more of the above-identified focus areas and to make it publicly apparent how it is accomplished. 

Focus Areas

Early Childhood Education

• The community has determined that the Community Foundation can have the greatest impact on Early Childhood Education (birth to age 8) by supporting:
• The improvement of the quality of child care;
• The support for parent education;
• The improvement of the quality and accessibility of early childhood education services, and
• The improvement of opportunities to access children’s mental health services.
• More specifically the Community Foundation seeks to:
• Land Use & Protection

The community has determined that the Community Foundation can have the greatest impact in these areas by:

Workforce Development

Our area’s communities have determined that the Community Foundation can have significant impact by supporting:

• Increased work opportunities for unemployed/underemployed youth through collaboration with the Workforce Board and other governmental and community-based organizations.
• Youth programs that prepare entry-level employment through the development of soft skills and work experience.

More specifically the Community Foundation seeks to:

• Increase Work Opportunities for unemployed/underemployed community youth through collaboration with the Workforce Board and other governmental and community service providers via training partnerships, work experience, resource identification, workshops, surveys and other information-gathering efforts as well as through coordinated partnerships for workforce development strategies, initiatives and sponsorships.
• Prepare youth for entry-level employment through the development and sponsorship of programs designed and implemented to prepare youth with employment soft skills, job-seeking and job-retaining skills and youth work experience. The Community Foundation also seeks to collaborate and coordinate efforts with appropriate community partners to seek external funding resources or to underwrite costs as well as to assure quality employment preparation of youth including supportive, on-the-job work experience and workplace expectations.

RFP: Together Fund (Local Business) – We Rise Together

Background

We Rise Together: For an Equitable & Just Recovery is a coalition of public and private funders and communities accelerating equity in the Chicago region’s economic recovery so everyone who lives here can reach their full potential. To catalyze an equitable economic recovery from the COVID recession, We Rise focuses on grantmaking and engagement in communities hardest hit by COVID and those that are a majority Black and Latine because they are the places and people disproportionately affected by the pandemic. 

Need/Opportunity Statement

In historically underserved, low-income neighborhoods across the Chicago area, mid-stage businesses and worker-owned cooperatives play a critical role in fostering economic vitality, creating jobs, and strengthening social connections. However, many of these businesses face persistent challenges in scaling their operations, securing the tools and resources necessary for growth, and effectively harnessing growth opportunities.  

We know that mid-stage businesses are uniquely positioned to drive inclusive economic growth. However, they often operate with constrained resources and limited access to the capital, vendors, and infrastructure needed to achieve their full potential. Similarly, worker-owned co-ops offer a powerful model for shared ownership and wealth-building, empowering employees with a direct stake in the success of their enterprises. Yet, co-ops face unique challenges in securing resources for infrastructure, awareness, and technical support, particularly in sectors like retail, manufacturing, and trucking that are traditionally underfunded. 

By moving resources directly to nonprofits working alongside these businesses, we aim to catalyze their ability to grow revenue, expand capacity, and invest in transformative initiatives like acquiring commercial spaces, adopting advanced tools, and strengthening their operational resilience. This RFP invites applications that present strategic approaches to strengthen these enterprises, supporting a sustainable recovery and fostering a resilient economic foundation across the region.

Goals & Outcomes

While this is a one-year grant, the activities supported through this funding should be designed to contribute to the broader, long-term goals of improving local economic resilience. Work completed during the grant period should build a strong foundation for continued progress toward the following goals:  

• By supporting business growth and cooperative development, projects should create stable job opportunities, increase local spending, and increase economic resilience within low-income neighborhoods. 
• Through cooperative models and local business growth, projects should promote shared wealth-building, economic autonomy, and the growth of the local economy. 
• Programs should enable businesses to scale effectively, increasing their capacity to serve and uplift their communities. 
• Measure changes in access to capital, financial literacy, and use of business management tools. 
• Track the number of new jobs created or maintained, particularly full-time roles with family-sustaining wages. 
• Monitor improvements in operational resilience, such as enhanced access to infrastructure, technology, or technical assistance.

While this is a one-year grant, the activities supported through this funding should be designed to contribute to the broader, long-term goals of improving local economic resilience. Work completed during the grant period should build a strong foundation for continued progress toward the following goals:  

• By supporting business growth and cooperative development, projects should create stable job opportunities, increase local spending, and increase economic resilience within low-income neighborhoods. 
• Through cooperative models and local business growth, projects should promote shared wealth-building, economic autonomy, and the growth of the local economy. 
• Programs should enable businesses to scale effectively, increasing their capacity to serve and uplift their communities. 
• Measure changes in access to capital, financial literacy, and use of business management tools. 
• Track the number of new jobs created or maintained, particularly full-time roles with family-sustaining wages. 

Monitor improvements in operational resilience, such as enhanced access to infrastructure, technology, or technical assistance. 

Outcomes include up to three of the following:

• Build Knowledge and Narrative 
• Improve Overall Financial Health 
• Increase Fundamental Business Finance Knowledge and Application 
• Strengthen Workforce 

RFP: Together Fund (Workforce) – We Rise Together

Background

We Rise Together: For an Equitable & Just Recovery is a coalition of public and private funders and communities accelerating equity in the Chicago region’s economic recovery so everyone who lives here can reach their full potential. To catalyze an equitable economic recovery from the COVID recession, We Rise focuses on grantmaking and engagement in communities hardest hit by COVID and those that are a majority Black and Latine because they are the places and people disproportionately affected by the pandemic. 

Community advisors through the Together Fund, an opportunity for local residents to shape $1.6 million in grantmaking, determined for this funding program that a particular focus on youth* is where our investments should be directed through this opportunity. 

Need/Opportunity Statement

Youth unemployment remains a critical challenge across Chicago’s economically disenfranchised communities. Many young individuals face obstacles such as limited access to competency-building programs, inadequate training opportunities, and systemic barriers that prevent entry into sustainable employment. This issue is compounded by gaps in wraparound services, such as childcare, transportation, and mentorship, which are critical to successful workforce development. 

There is a significant opportunity to invest in solutions that equip young people with the competencies, resources, and connections needed to secure meaningful employment. While this RFP invites existing youth-focused strategies and organizations that serve young people, We Rise Together also values innovation and encourages applicants to propose bold, novel approaches to addressing youth workforce needs in transformative and impactful ways. 

Goals & Outcomes

While this is a one-year grant, the activities supported through this funding should be designed to contribute to the broader, long-term goals of improving youth workforce development and creating sustainable organizations that serve youth. Work completed during the grant period should build a strong foundation for continued progress toward the following goals:  

• Increase youth access to competency-building opportunities, including certifications, apprenticeships, and quality job placements that lead to a livable wage. 
• Enhance youth financial independence through job retention, soft skill development (e.g., communication, teamwork, problem-solving), and readiness for employment. 
• Reduce barriers to employment by addressing systemic challenges such as transportation, childcare, housing support, and digital access. 
• Foster economic resilience by creating pathways for long-term career growth and strengthening partnerships with local businesses, educational institutions, and community organizations. 
• Improve stakeholder engagement to build stronger community relationships and increase retention of youth in programming. 
• Strengthen the financial resilience of youth-serving organizations by diversifying funding streams, collecting impact data, and demonstrating measurable outcomes. 
• Cultivate supportive organizational cultures by investing in staff retention, leadership development, and competitive compensation. 

Outcomes include up to three of the following:

• Strengthen the Organizational Infrastructure to Provide Services 
• Strengthen Workforce 
• Expand economic opportunities for Black and Latinx Chicagoans to access careers 
• Expand Partnerships Opportunities 
• Increase Organizational Effectiveness 

Grant Amounts Available & Grant Term

The funding structure includes two tiers to ensure both local organizations with strong connections to hard-to-reach youth and more established organizations with evidence-based youth workforce development programs have the opportunity to participate in the grant opportunity. All grants are for a 12-month grant term in this funding program: 

• For organizations with operating budgets under $1,000,000: Grants of up to $75,000 are available to support smaller, community-based organizations that are deeply embedded within the communities they serve and have strong relationships with youth who are often hard to reach. 
• For organizations with operating budgets over $1,000,000: Grants of up to $200,000 are available to support larger, established organizations with proven track records of delivering evidence-based workforce development programs for youth. 

This tiered approach aims to balance equitable access to resources while recognizing the diverse needs and capacities of organizations working to empower youth in workforce development. 

Dignity in Pay Program Grant (IL)

Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) are exceptionally underrepresented in the competitive integrated workforce. This underrepresentation is due to an array of factors, which present as barriers to community integration and full inclusion. As an Employment First state, Illinois recognizes that Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) shall be considered the first option, when serving persons with disabilities of working age. One factor contributing to this under representation is the prevalence of programs that pay individuals with I/DD Subminimum Wage. Subminimum Wage (SMW) is allowable through the use of Special Wage Certificates, issued by the Department of Labor (DOL) under Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA). The Dignity in Pay Program will support capacity building, program transformation and implementation of best practice within provider agencies who hold 14(c) certificates. This program will aid in the phasing out of SMW for Individuals with I/DD through the expansion of opportunities for Individuals with I/DD to obtain and sustain CIE and access other inclusive and integrated services.

Objective

The Dignity in Pay Program is intended to:

• Support the creation of new opportunities and programs, grow organizational capacity, respond to the needs of individuals with I/DD across all geographic regions of Illinois, and support provider transformation, via training and technical assistance, as part of the overall goal to increase Competitive Integrated Employment for individuals with I/DD.
• Support the responsible elimination of SMW activities and enhancing independence and quality of life of individuals with I/DD. The grant will do this through increased access to CIE and diverse, integrated Community Day Services (CDS). Increased access to these opportunities will result in greater integration in the community, increased earning capacity and development of new, or expansion of existing, skills and support networks.
• Expand community-based opportunities for individuals with I/DD who are currently participating in, or at risk of participating in, Subminimum Wage activity.
• Review of organizational protocols related to a determination of degree to which individuals are deemed disabled for the work to be performed will be completed quarterly.
• Develop standard operating protocol and expectations for data input, tracking and review.
• Develop organizational policies related to review of data (frequency, scope, by whom, for what purpose).
• Enhance data collection and utilization by developing a new, or modify an existing, data tracking system designed to capture and appropriately disseminate individual and aggregate data related to CIE, integrated Community Day Services and SMW.

Program Goals

The Dignity in Pay Program should provide the following:

• Develop new opportunities, programs, and grow capacity to respond to the needs of I/DD individuals in their geographic area; including, but not limited to, supported employment, customized employment, self-employment, entrepreneurship, and diverse day programs that support meaningful days, choice, and community integration.
• Responsibly reduce the number of individuals with I/DD who participate in Illinois SMW to zero by the specified date.
• Ensure provider organizations have adequate guidance to adjust business practices, with a primary emphasis on shifting away from models which promote facility based SMW, to models which promote sustainable integration, inclusion, and opportunities to engage in CIE. These adjustments must create meaningful community connections, through person centered and individualized planning and support.
• Increase both the capacity to serve, and enrollment into, programs which promote CIE, and other integrated Community Day Services (CDS).

Funding

• Tier 1 (0-3 Points): Dignity in Pay Grant of no more than $75,000 annually
• Tier 2 (4-7 Points): Dignity in Pay Grant of more than $75,000 but less than $150,000 annually
• Tier 3 (8-11 Points): Dignity in Pay Grant of more than $150,000 but no more than $225,000 annually

Apprenticeship Expansion Competitive Grant Program (IL)

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (the “Department” or “DCEO”) is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) to establish high-impact apprenticeship intermediaries focused on expanding Registered Apprenticeship Programs throughout the State of Illinois. It is anticipated that the Department will use funding from the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) State Apprenticeship Expansion Program and/or the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Statewide Activities Program to support high-impact Apprenticeship Intermediaries that will excel in establishing, scaling, and sustaining apprenticeship programs.

Objective

Registered apprenticeship programs (RAPs) are proven models of job preparation, validated by the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), which combine paid on-the-job learning (OJL) with related instruction (RI) to progressively increase workers’ skill levels and wages. RAPs are also a business-driven model that provide an effective way for employers to recruit, train, and retain highly skilled workers. RAPs allow workforce partners, educators, and employers to develop and apply industry standards to training programs, thereby increasing the quality and productivity of the workforce. RAPs offer job-seekers immediate employment opportunities that pay sustainable wages and offer advancement along a career path as they complete their training. Graduates of RAPs receive nationally recognized, portable credentials, and their training may be applied toward further post-secondary education. This NOFO will award grants to fund high-impact intermediaries targeting and serving the following groups:

• Adults Enrolling in Nontraditional and In-Demand Registered Apprenticeships
• Youth and Young Adults 
• People with Disabilities Seeking Apprenticeships

Funding

$100,000 - $500000

Charitable Trust – Helping Small Nonprofits Across Illinois

The Charitable Trust Stabilization Fund (“Fund”) was created in 2007 to help small non-profits across Illinois. Money for the Fund comes from the filing fees not-for-profit organizations pay to incorporate with the State of Illinois. The program is funded by non-profits and exists to support non-profits. 

The Spring 2024 Grant Cycle, running from January 1 – March 31, will award grants to non-profit charitable programs in two categories:

• Food
• Housing

The Fall 2024 Grant Cycle, running from July 1 – September 30, will award grants to organizations in two categories:

• Food
• Economic & Workforce Development

In each area, the Charitable Trust Board will consider a range of programs such as but not limited to the following:

Food Programs:

• Food Pantries
• Supplemental School Feeding Programs 
• Summer Feeding Programs 
• SNAP Outreach 
• Farmer’s Market SNAP expansion 
• Access to fresh produce 
• Meal Deliveries

Housing:

• Short Term Housing and Supportive Services
• Emergency Financial Support to prevent homelessness 
• Foreclosure Prevention Counseling 
• Affordable Housing advocacy/construction/rehabilitation 
• Accessibility in Housing 
• Fair Housing Counseling/Education 
• Homeownership Counseling 
• Renters Rights

Workforce & Economic Development:

• Small Business Development Councils 
• Entrepreneurship Training or Services
• Resume Preparation 
• Interview Training 
• Placement and Retention Services 
• GED Classes 
• Vocational Training 
• Apprenticeship Training 
• Industry Certifications 
• Workforce Development for People with Disabilities

About

The Illinois Department of Human Services was created in 1997 to provide our state's residents with streamlined access to integrated services, especially those who are striving for economic independence, and others who face multiple challenges to self-sufficiency.

CRSS (Certified Recovery Support Specialist) Success Program

Program Summary

The CRSS Success program will provide high-quality recovery support training, supervised practical experience, and wrap-around supports for individuals with lived expertise of mental health, substance use, or co-occurring mental health and substance use recovery. This program seeks to increase the number of individuals in Illinois who successfully obtain the Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) or Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) credential through the Illinois Certification Board (ICB d/b/a IAODAPCA), as one mechanism to address the behavioral health workforce shortage. For the purposes of this program, the term recovery support specialist will be utilized when referencing individuals pursuing either credential, i.e., the CRSS or the CPRS.

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.

Program Description

The Workforce Training Support program will assist community employers in the training and retaining of our skilled workforce. It is without question a challenge for almost every manufacturer to obtain the necessary assistance to include financial support to provide the required training for their workforce. Structured educational programs designed to equip employees working in a manufacturing setting with the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their jobs effectively and safely, including technical abilities, equipment operation, efficient process understanding, and adherence to safety protocols allows them to contribute productively on the production floor. In short, workforce training programs help Illinois manufacturers provide their workers with the skills necessary to be safe and productive, as well as grow our Illinois based businesses. This Illinois manufacturing program will supplement the Employer Training Investment Program in place. This grant will provide additional participating manufacturers assistance increasing the number of companies and employees and strengthening our workforce through our training programs.

Grant Funds may be used to cover no more than 50% of a Participating Entity’s actual expenses related to the delivery of training for their full-time employees. Participating Entities will be required to fund an equal or greater match amount of the remaining eligible training. Grantee will be required to submit reports evidencing the total amount spent on training by all Participating Entities. Grantee will validate expenses of Participating Entities prior to requesting reimbursement from DCEO.

Program History

The Workforce Training Support program is a new training program but will mirror the already successful Employer Training Investment Program which exist across the State of Illinois through support from direct line-item appropriations

Executive Summary:

This is a community capacity building grant for organizations that provide coordination, training and education and community service linkages for local anti-poverty programs and other programs that serve the TANF population and other low-income individuals and families. Organizations should be hub organizations that facilitate and convene other local organizations and employers with the purpose of reducing poverty and helping individuals access services effectively in the local community.

Program Description

Required Information:

The general purpose of the funding is to provide broad-based community services to TANF eligible (Transitional Assistance to Needy Families) and other low-income families to access state and local human services in order to improve outcomes that lead to self-sufficiency for the public good. 

Goals and objectives of the Program.

The Grantee will provide broad-based community services to:

• Improve the quality of life for children, youth and families by making human services, workforce development, health and educational programs and policy more effective, accessible, coordinated and responsive to community needs;
• Provide linkages enabling individuals and families to access state and local human service agencies; and
• Focus on ways each of the local communities served can address the most pressing self-sufficiency issues in their area.

Program Deliverables

These services will address areas such as:

• Development of Community Planning Partners
• Education about Public Benefits (Essentials of Public Benefits/SNAP and TANF), spend-down, navigating disability and how to obtain them.
• Offering TANF Informational sessions
• Early Childhood (Parenting workshops)
• Diversity and Language Access Resources (LARC)
• Mental Health and Substance abuse
• Housing security assistance
• Employment
• Financial Literacy & Asset Building
• Health services and Healthy Lifestyles
• Cultural awareness
• Tax Preparation

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.

Film and TV Workforce Training Grant Program - Notice of Funding Opportunity

Program Description

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is issuing a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Film and TV Workforce Training Grant Program funded through the Illinois Production Workforce Development Fund 35 IlCS 16/46. The training program will fund proposals to recruit, hire, promote, retain, develop, and train a diverse and inclusive workforce in the film industry. The training program will provide real-world, practical job skills to fulfill the demand of producers and studios, while providing job opportunities for Illinois residents, including unemployed individuals and individuals with barriers to employment.

Through this NOFO, the Department will fund training programs to meet the growing need for a skilled and knowledgeable workforce in the film and TV industry. DCEO will prioritize geographic diversity to help grow and guide workforce training programs outside of Chicago. Of the appropriated funds in a given fiscal year, 50% of the appropriated funds shall be reserved for organizations that meet a given set of criteria. Beside these criteria, all applicants must:

• Make a good-faith effort to recruit from a diverse population pool;
• Provide hands-on training with qualified industry professionals;
• Provide at least 80 hours of instruction.

Funding Information

This grant program is utilizing the Illinois Production Workforce Development Fund appropriated by General Assembly. Total amount of funding expected to be awarded through this NOFO is $1,000,000. Awards will range from $50,000 to $180,000. The Department expects to make (8) eight awards through this NOFO. 

Career and Technical Education (CTE) Education Career Pathway RFP

Purpose

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is committed to providing students with a wellrounded and relevant education that includes equitable opportunities to participate in CTE. CTE programs prepare students for both the workforce and the pursuit of postsecondary opportunities by offering them opportunities to develop technical and employability skills while also strengthening core academic skills and abilities. CTE programs are expanding nationwide and realigning Programs of Study to include pathways that respond to current and future economic and occupational needs. This grant will be an avenue to recruit students, including minority students, into the field of education, thus addressing the teacher shortage in Illinois. It will provide funding to eligible applicants to support the development and implementation of CTE Education Career Pathways or Programs of Study in specific partner districts and schools.

Program Description

The CTE Education Career Pathway State Grant will provide funding directly to eligible recipients to support planning and implementation of a CTE Education Career Pathway or Program of Study. Programs will include coursework designed to prepare students for matriculation into and success in a postsecondary teacher preparation program. It will afford students opportunities to participate in field experiences and/or work-based learning to begin to hone their craft and gain experience in different educational settings and content areas. Additionally, program participants will have opportunities to earn dual credit; industry certification, such as para-professional licensure; the State Seal of Biliteracy; a College and Career Pathway Endorsement; and micro-credentials to demonstrate teaching competencies acquired through the program. ISBE and the Illinois Community College Board achieved a major milestone in their efforts to expand dual credit access with the adoption of the Model Partnership Agreement and the passing of the Dual Credit Quality Act (PA 100-1049). These resources offer local districts support in ongoing efforts to establish robust partnerships with higher education and engage in collaboration to further increase educational equity and access to CTE programs.

Eligible applicants must identify one to five local schools in which programs will be implemented. All applicants are required to form partnerships to  strengthen programs. Priority points will be given to applicants who meet at least one of the following additional criteria:

• Rural district(s) as defined by the National Center for Education Statistics.
• Districts that fall at or below 70% for funding adequacy under EBF.
• High schools whose teacher vacancy rate is 5% or more.
• High schools where the percentage share of students of color exceeds the percentage share of teachers of color by 25% or more.

Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation is the charitable arm of Delta Dental of Illinois. In the past 10+ years, combined efforts of both organizations have provided more than $5 million to programs and organizations in Illinois that improve the oral health of the residents of Illinois. Charitable contributions to the Foundation support our priorities that include: Access to Oral Health Care, Student Excellence, and Oral Health Education and Awareness.

Community Grants Overview

Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation primarily focuses its grantmaking on programs and/or organizations targeting children that address many of the needs mentioned above. Our three key priority areas are:

• Oral Health Education and Awareness
• Access to Oral Health Care – specifically programs that also educate and inform
• Oral Health Workforce development – training, staff to increase access, sponsorship/mentorship

Organizations may apply for a one-year grant ranging from $1,000-$20,000. Organizations are allowed to reapply if they have already received a grant in a previous year. However, each year’s request is considered separately by the Grants Committee. Prior funding does not imply consecutive funding.