Illinois Capacity Building Grants

Equitable Energy Future Grant Program (Notice of Funding Opportunity 3054-2638): The Equitable Energy Future Grant Program, administered by the Commerce And Econ Opp agency, aims to provide seed funding and pre-development funding opportunities to eligible contractors for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in historically disadvantaged communities. The program is designed to remove barriers caused by lack of capital and promote project, community, and business development. The anticipated number of awards is 40, with an estimated total program funding of $25,500,000. The award range is between $250,000 and $1,000,000. The source of funding is the state government of Illinois. There are no cost-sharing or matching requirements, but indirect costs are not allowed. The application period is from November 16, 2023, to June 30, 2024 at 5:00 PM. Technical assistance sessions are offered on November 30, 2023 at 12:00 PM and registration can be done through a provided link. Applicants must be pre-qualified entities registered in the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) Grantee Portal. For more information on eligibility criteria and application requirements, please visit the grant application link provided in the description above.

The City of Evanston's Small Business Recovery Program is designed to safeguard the local small business economy and preserve the city's economic and cultural fabric. While not explicitly a foundation, the City of Evanston's mission alignment with this program is evident in its commitment to supporting the independent businesses that define the city's identity. This initiative directly addresses the sustained negative economic impacts of the pandemic on these vital businesses. The program primarily targets existing small, independently owned brick-and-mortar businesses in Evanston, particularly focusing on minority, disadvantaged, and veteran-owned enterprises. To be eligible, businesses must have been operating on or before March 13, 2020, possess a physical Evanston location with proper registration/licensing, and have 50 or fewer employees. The overarching impact goal is to facilitate recovery from the pandemic's economic downturn, ensuring these businesses can continue to operate and contribute to the community. The program prioritizes a range of services and expenses to achieve its goals. These include facade improvements, rehabilitation/renovation of commercial properties, signage, professional services (accounting, tax, insurance, legal), marketing/communications technical assistance, capital expenditures (tools and equipment), training and certifications, relocation/expansion within Evanston (for qualified census tracts), and hiring/training of new employees. The maximum grant amount per applicant is $25,000, with other eligible expenses capped at $10,000. Priority will be given to M/W/D/EBE businesses or those located in qualified census tracts if applications exceed available funding. The expected outcomes include the revitalization of small businesses, job retention and creation, and an overall strengthening of Evanston's local economy. Measurable results will likely stem from the types of expenses funded, such as improved business appearance, enhanced operational efficiency through new equipment, increased marketing reach, and expanded workforces. The City's strategic priority is to prevent business closures and stimulate economic growth post-pandemic, operating on the theory that direct financial and technical assistance to vulnerable small businesses is the most effective way to achieve a resilient local economy and maintain its unique cultural identity.

This funding opportunity provides resources to healthcare organizations in Illinois to improve infection prevention and control practices in long-term care facilities and acute care settings, promoting health equity and effective healthcare measures.

The Landmarks Illinois Banterra Bank Preserve Southern Illinois Grant Program is designed to support the preservation of historic properties for economic development purposes. This grant program, funded by Landmarks Illinois, aligns with the foundation's mission to protect and preserve valuable historic structures, particularly those facing significant threats. By focusing on commercial properties, the program aims to stimulate economic growth within Southern Illinois while ensuring the longevity of its architectural heritage. The primary beneficiaries of this program are owners of significant structures located near commercial corridors in the DCEO Southern Region of Illinois. Eligible applicants include commercial property owners, nonprofits, and governmental bodies who have legal control over the structure or site and possess the capacity to manage grant funds effectively. The impact goal is to empower these beneficiaries to undertake critical preservation work, contributing to both the cultural richness and economic vitality of their communities. The program prioritizes projects that benefit identified Eligible Structures and address critical preservation issues, with a strong emphasis on properties listed on the Most Endangered Historic Places list. The focus is specifically on preserving commercial properties to foster economic development. All preservation work funded through the program must adhere to the Secretary of Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, ensuring high-quality, historically sensitive interventions. Services covered by the grant include various stages of preservation, from studies and assessments to stabilization, rehabilitation, surveys, and nominations. Expected outcomes include the successful preservation of historic commercial properties, leading to their continued use and contribution to local economies. Measurable results will include the number of projects completed, the types of services rendered, and the overall impact on economic development within the targeted counties. The grants are awarded on a matching basis, ranging from $500 to $2,500, requiring applicants to demonstrate commitment through their own financial contributions. A follow-up report is required from all grant recipients to document the project's progress and outcomes, allowing Landmarks Illinois to assess the program's effectiveness and impact in line with its strategic priorities for historic preservation and community development.

The Hospital Health Protection Grant Program (HHPGP-Sustain25) for State Fiscal Year 2025 provides funding to named safety-net hospitals in Illinois to support their sustainability. The aim is to preserve their operations and ensure continued provision of healthcare services, particularly for those participating in the State’s Medicaid managed care program. The grant is authorized under the Safety-Net Hospital Health Equity and Access Leadership Grant Program. The total funding available is $11,513,900.00, with individual awards ranging from $211,160.00 to $2,645,360.00. Applications are due by August 30, 2024.

This grant provides funding to organizations that improve healthcare access for underserved and uninsured residents in northern Lake County, Illinois.

The Forecast Public Art’s Midwest Memory Grant, ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, is open to non-profit organizations in rural Midwest communities, aiming to elevate and preserve the stories of BIPOC communities through monuments, with a focus on addressing systemic inequities and advancing racial justice.

The Illinois Energy Transition Navigators Program, funded by the state's Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, aims to establish a network of community-based providers throughout Illinois to facilitate community education, outreach, and recruitment. These providers will connect individuals to clean energy workforce and contractor development programs, with a focus on equity investment eligible communities and individuals. The program has a budget of $6 million and expects to award 13 grants ranging from $250,000 to $600,000. It targets specific hub regions and operates on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis.

The Harry S. Black & Allon Fuller Fund is dedicated to supporting quality health care and human services programming for underserved populations. This grant program aligns directly with the foundation's mission to address critical needs in communities, specifically focusing on improving access to essential services for those who face significant barriers. The fund's strategic priorities are rooted in the belief that robust health care and human services are fundamental to individual well-being and community strength. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant program are underserved populations within the city limits of New York City and Chicago. This includes low-income communities requiring health care access, health education, and health policy advocacy, as well as physically disabled individuals who need access programs, disability policy advocacy, workforce development, and initiatives to enhance their quality of life. The impact goals are to foster healthier, more equitable communities by empowering individuals through improved access to vital resources and support. The grantmaking focus areas clearly define the fund's priorities. In health care, the fund supports access, education, and policy analysis and advocacy, with a specific emphasis on programs serving low-income communities. For physical disabilities, the fund prioritizes access programs, disability policy analysis and advocacy, workforce development, and programs that improve the quality of life for disabled individuals. These areas reflect a comprehensive approach to addressing systemic inequities and promoting inclusive community development. While specific expected outcomes and measurable results are not explicitly detailed in the provided information, it can be inferred that the fund seeks to achieve tangible improvements in the health and well-being of the target populations, increased access to services for the physically disabled, and greater equity through policy advocacy and workforce development. The foundation's theory of change appears to be that by strategically investing in organizations that provide direct services and advocate for systemic change, they can create a lasting positive impact on the lives of underserved individuals in their designated geographic areas.

The Governor and the General Assembly direct the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to administer grants for specific miscellaneous purposes to bolster the state’s economy, promote a clean environment, and improve the overall quality of life throughout the state of Illinois. This grant program is available to any entity receiving funding via lump sum appropriation. Eligible costs for this program are bondable costs associated with site improvements. This includes demolition; grading/earthwork; landscaping; sidewalks; replacement of bridges; construction and/or upgrade of roads, parking lots, curb and gutter, parks and other open spaces as well as structures within them; etc. This may include associated streetscaping.

The Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln offers Junior League of Springfield Capacity Building Grants to support nonprofit staff and board attendance at trainings and professional development programs. The grants are strategic investments that strengthen management, governance, and leadership in eligible organizations across the region. Funds may be used for workshop or conference registration, consultant fees for customized training, and associated travel, meals, lodging, and related costs. Eligible applicants include registered 501(c)(3) organizations, faith based organizations offering non religious community services, public or private schools for projects beyond regular budgets, and units of government or municipalities. The program serves organizations in Cass, Christian, Logan, Macoupin, Menard, Montgomery, Morgan, and Sangamon counties. Grants are generally up to 1,500 dollars and may support participation by staff or board members in targeted professional development opportunities. Projects should clearly describe expected outcomes and how the training will strengthen organizational effectiveness. Applications are due May 3, 2024. Additional information is available from the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln.

This program provides financial support to local governments, public colleges, and qualified nonprofits to help hire and retain law enforcement officers, improving recruitment and retention efforts across the state.

The purpose of the Illinois Violent Death Reporting System (IVDRS) is to develop a state-wide data repository related to violent deaths. This data will allow policymakers and researchers to analyze the causes and correlations of violent deaths to develop effective prevention policies and programs for the State of Illinois. The grant provides $76,700 to maintain and expand the IVDRS between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. Northwestern University has been directly appropriated these funds by the Illinois General Assembly.

Utilizing CMP funds from the federal CMS, facilities will apply to obtain this grant to provide the Head-to-Toe Infection Prevention training in long-term care facilities. In an effort to support the maintenance of cognitive and mobility skills, the Illinois Department of Public Health, Office of Healthcare Regulation (OHCR) announces an opportunity for certified facilities to submit applications to implementation changes to increase the quality of life within their facility. This grant seeks to provide facility staff training in the areas of; (1) wound treatment and care, (2) skin & oral care, (3) urinary care, and (4) adapting care to fit each resident. The grantee will utilize the Head-To-Toe Infection Prevention provided by IDPH which, by addressing each of these topics, the overall quality of life within Long Term Care facilities will increase. Through Civil Monetary Penalty (CMP) funds provided by the Civil Money Penalty Reinvestment Program (CMPRP) through the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), IDPH OHCR is able to fund opportunities such as this and others that benefit residents in long-term care (LTC) facilities. Assistance is tailored to issues which present in multiple facilities throughout Illinois. It seeks to build quality care and experiences in LTC facilities to residents as well as provide staff with training to ensure improved care. Through this funding, the facility would be reimbursed for cost of the materials produced for the training of facility staff. Funds can only be used for the production and distribution of training materials for facility staff. The participating facilities will quarterly of its sessions to the IDPH CMPRP Specialist the aforementioned information to gauge the viability of utilizing a similar program in other LTC facilities. The Illinois Department of Public Health places health equity as a top priority. Health equity is the “basic principle of public health that all people have a right to health”. Health equity exists when all people can achieve comprehensive health and wellness despite their social position or any other social factors/determinants of health. Most health disparities affect groups marginalized because of socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, disability status, geographic location, or some combination of these. People in such groups not only experience worse health but also tend to have less access to the social determinants or conditions (e.g., healthy food, good housing, good education, safe neighborhoods, disability access and supports, freedom from racism and other forms of discrimination) that support health…. Health disparities are referred to as health inequities when they are the result of the systematic and unjust distribution of these critical conditions. The department’s efforts are committed to addressing health through an equity lens by empowering communities who have been historically marginalized and developing intervention strategies with the end goal of furthering health equity among all Illinoisans.

The Hubbell-Waterman Foundation is actively seeking grant applications from nonprofit organizations operating within Scott County, Iowa, and Rock Island County, Illinois. The foundation's mission is deeply rooted in enhancing community well-being through strategic investments in three key areas: culture and the arts, education, and social welfare. This aligns with their overarching goal of fostering a vibrant, educated, and supportive community by addressing critical needs and enriching local life. Within the realm of culture and the arts, the foundation prioritizes cultivating and supporting both visual and performing arts, investing in landmark cultural institutions, and backing new, innovative programs that contribute to community enrichment. For education, their focus extends to pre-K–12 education, encompassing after-school and summer programs, creative learning initiatives, life skills and career training, environmental education with a sustainability emphasis, and crucial mental health programs for students and their families. Social welfare initiatives are designed to support accessible programs for individuals and families, specifically targeting at-risk and low-income family services, food and nutrition support, housing security, immigrant and refugee community support, and physical and mental health services. The foundation's funding strategies support a variety of grant types to achieve its impact goals. These include capital campaigns and acquisitions for construction and renovations, operational and/or program grants for up to three years following a capital campaign, and multi-year program grants, also not exceeding three years. These program grants may also cover general operating expense reimbursement. The target beneficiaries are primarily nonprofit organizations serving the specified counties, and through these organizations, individuals and families who will benefit from improved access to cultural experiences, educational opportunities, and social support. Expected outcomes include a more culturally vibrant community, improved educational outcomes and access, enhanced life skills, increased environmental awareness, better mental health support for students and families, and stronger social safety nets for vulnerable populations. The foundation's strategic priorities are clearly laid out in its long-term funding priorities and its defined areas of focus. Their theory of change appears to be that by strategically investing in these three core areas through various grant mechanisms, they can catalyze positive, sustainable change within the communities of Scott County, Iowa, and Rock Island County, Illinois, ultimately leading to a more inclusive and thriving society.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local health departments, nonprofits, and educational institutions in Illinois to develop partnerships and implement public health strategies that address health disparities in underserved communities outside of Cook County and Chicago.

The Connect Illinois Broadband Grant Program includes $400 million in appropriated funds available for expansion of broadband infrastructure throughout the state. Through multiple rounds of competitive matching grants, Connect Illinois will provide direct matching grants, awarded on a competitive basis via merit based review, to grant applicants including broadband providers, rural cooperatives, local governments, nonprofit organizations, and partnerships.

The Hospital Health Protection Grant Program (HHPGP-24Extended25) for State Fiscal Year 2025 provides funding to named hospitals to support their ordinary and contingent expenses. The aim is to improve health equity, access to quality care, and reduce health disparities in underserved communities, in accordance with the Safety-Net Hospital Health Equity and Access Leadership Grant Program. The total funding available is $3,000,000.00, with individual awards ranging from $1,000,000.00 to $2,000,000.00. Applications are due by August 30, 2024.

This funding opportunity provides financial support and capacity-building resources to small or emerging nonprofits in McHenry County, helping them strengthen their operations and enhance their community services.

This initiative provides funding to organizations that deliver essential health screenings and services to underserved communities of color in Illinois, aiming to reduce health disparities and improve access to care.