Illinois grants for Independent school districts

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations, schools, libraries, and community groups in LaSalle, Bureau, and Putnam counties to foster positive community impact through charitable initiatives.

This grant provides financial support for educational organizations in Illinois to create and maintain wildlife habitats in schoolyards and public spaces, engaging students in hands-on environmental learning.

This program provides funding to nonprofit organizations, schools, and community groups in DeKalb County, Illinois, to support innovative projects that improve economic mobility and quality of life for underserved populations.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that offer adult education and literacy services in specific counties of Illinois, helping adults improve their literacy, gain employment skills, and support their children's education.

This grant provides financial support to Illinois teachers for outdoor field trips that focus on biodiversity education, promoting hands-on learning about the state's natural resources.

This program provides funding for feasibility studies that promote economic development and improve community resources in rural areas of Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that create innovative programs helping individuals aged 16 and older, particularly those with limited skills or disabilities, transition smoothly from education to high-demand employment.

This program provides funding to community organizations near TC Energy's operations in North America to support projects that promote equity, sustainable development, and community engagement.

This funding opportunity provides rapid financial support to eligible organizations addressing urgent health and wellness needs in Pike County, Illinois.

The Illinois EPA is seeking proposals for projects aimed at addressing nonpoint source (NPS) pollution to enhance the quality of Illinois' surface and groundwater. Funded through the Clean Water Act's Section 319(h), this program supports the development and implementation of watershed-based planning projects. These projects may include creating new watershed-based plans, updating existing plans, providing technical assistance for NPS pollution control, and conducting environmental and social indicator monitoring. The goal is to prevent, eliminate, or reduce water quality impairments through strategic planning and community engagement. Grant renewed every year.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations in Illinois to establish a peer-staffed phone line that offers free, confidential emotional support and resources for individuals facing mental health challenges.

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is offering a discretionary federal grant opportunity titled “IL Special Education Leadership Academy – ISELA Project RFP” for Fiscal Year 2026. The funding is derived entirely from federal sources under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B Discretionary funds. This initiative is designed to enhance the professional capacity and leadership skills of special education administrators across Illinois. The grant is aimed at meeting the statewide and regional training needs of experienced and new directors of special education through structured professional development, mentoring, and an annual conference. The Illinois Special Education Leadership Academy (ISELA) will determine and address the evolving training needs of special education administrators by facilitating regional and statewide professional development sessions. The training will cover topics identified through needs assessments conducted in collaboration with ISBE. The grantee is expected to coordinate and implement these professional development offerings, facilitate mentoring for new directors, and manage the delivery of an annual two-day statewide directors’ conference. The focus is on compliance with federal performance expectations and advancing inclusive practices for students with disabilities. The total funding available for this opportunity is $186,000 per fiscal year, with one award anticipated. The award is renewable for up to two additional years through FY 2028, contingent upon continued compliance with grant requirements and appropriation of funds. Allowable expenditures under this grant include salaries and benefits, facility rental, training materials, equipment rental, presenter fees, travel expenses, and duplication services. However, the use of funds must supplement—not supplant—existing initiatives and comply with federal Uniform Guidance at 2 CFR 200. Indirect costs are allowed but are restricted based on entity type and federal guidance. Eligible applicants include Local Education Agencies (LEAs), institutions of higher education, Regional Offices of Education (ROEs), other public agencies, and private nonprofit organizations. Only one application per entity, identified by Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN), will be accepted. Entities must complete the State of Illinois Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) prequalification process, which includes registration in the System for Award Management (SAM), and must obtain a Region County District Type (RCDT) code before submission. Applications must be submitted online as a complete PDF package by 4:00 PM on August 18, 2025. The grant opportunity was posted on July 2, 2025, and applications were accepted from that date forward. The ISBE does not offer a technical assistance session but applicants may contact Sherry Bochenek via email or phone with any questions. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review any posted FAQs or changes to the NOFO/RFP before the deadline. Award notifications are expected approximately 90 days after the application deadline. Unsuccessful applicants will be informed via a Notice of Non-Award and may appeal under ISBE’s Merit-Based Review Policy. The application includes several required attachments, including a uniform application, a narrative detailing experience and plans, a budget, and evaluation methods. Scoring is based on need, capacity, program quality, implementation strategy, program awareness efforts, and evaluation design. Applicants must achieve at least 80 points to be considered for funding. The awarded entity will also be responsible for periodic reporting to ISBE, including monthly meetings, quarterly financial reports, and annual programmatic evaluations.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and public entities in Sangamon County, Illinois, to create accessible recreational opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local agencies and organizations in Illinois for developing and implementing educational and preventive traffic safety programs aimed at reducing roadway fatalities and injuries.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to educational institutions and organizations that create alternative educational programs for students at risk of truancy in Illinois.

This program provides financial support for construction and renovation projects that enhance rural communities and promote agricultural education, targeting local nonprofits, public entities, and collaborative organizations within a designated service area.

Will County has allocated $225,000 in grant funding to support early child care providers within the county. This grant program aims to enhance the quality of child care services by funding improvements in educational materials, physical environments, technology, and developmental support services. The program's mission aligns with fostering a robust early childhood education ecosystem, recognizing the critical role these providers play in child development and community well-being. The grant targets DCFS Licensed Childcare Providers located in Will County. Priority is given to providers serving specific populations, including children ages birth to five in Will County R3 Zones, those receiving Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) funds, children 0-5 years of age whose families speak English as a Second Language (ESL), children in the Early Intervention program, children with developmental or medical diagnoses, and children with active Individually Education Plans (IEP) in the public school system. The impact goal is to strengthen the capacity of these providers to offer high-quality care, particularly to vulnerable populations, ensuring equitable access to developmental and educational resources. The program prioritizes several key areas for funding. These include the acquisition of educational materials such as books, art supplies, and STEAM/STEM resources; improvements to the physical environment including safety, sanitation, furniture, and air/water filtration; technology upgrades for security systems, computer software for administrative tasks, and parent communication; and developmental supports like screening tools, consultant hiring, social-emotional program enhancements, and health screenings. The focus is on creating safe, stimulating, and technologically advanced environments that cater to the holistic developmental needs of young children. Expected outcomes include improved learning environments, enhanced safety and health standards, more efficient administrative processes, and increased access to specialized developmental support services for children. Measurable results will be seen through the implementation of new educational tools, upgraded facilities, advanced technology systems, and the provision of targeted developmental interventions. The ultimate goal is to contribute to the overall well-being and readiness for school of Will County's young children, thereby supporting the county's broader strategic priorities in early childhood development and community health.

This grant provides financial support to public K-12 schools in the contiguous United States to enhance existing Automotive and Engineering Career and Technical Education programs, improving hands-on learning and workforce readiness for students.

Grant program designed to train underrepresented population to successfully enter the construction industry and the trades. The program focuses removing barriers for entry and transitioning graduates to DOL-registered apprenticeship programs. The goal of the Illinois Works Act is to ensure that all Illinois residents have access to State capital projects and careers in the construction industry and building trades, as well as provide contracting and employment opportunities to historically underrepresented populations in the construction industry and the trades. The Illinois Works Pre-apprenticeship NOFO and program is a critical component in the success of the Act, by increasing the number of qualified construction and building trades apprentices who are women, people of color, veterans or from otherwise underrepresented populations (as defined by the Illinois Works Jobs Program Act) and preparing them to enter full apprenticeship programs on their way to careers in construction and the building trades.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to schools and organizations in suburban Cook County to implement restorative practices that promote positive discipline and improve student mental health.