Illinois Education Grants

This funding opportunity supports local news organizations and storytellers in Chicago to promote diverse and equitable media representation while addressing underreported community issues.

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 fellowship provides financial support to women pursuing their first doctoral degree in various fields, with a focus on promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in academia.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to not-for-profit arts organizations and government entities in DuPage County, Illinois, for projects that promote visual arts and music, fostering community engagement and cultural diversity.

This program provides funding to community organizations that offer education and job training in clean energy for individuals in Illinois prisons who are nearing their release, helping them successfully reintegrate into society and the workforce.

This funding opportunity supports Illinois community colleges in developing electric vehicle education programs and providing student support services to enhance workforce readiness in the green economy.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and government entities in DuPage County, Illinois, to enhance community engagement through high-quality visual arts and music programs.

This program provides funding to nonprofit and public organizations in Illinois to improve children's oral health access, education, and workforce development, particularly for underserved populations.

This funding opportunity provides $60,000 to Illinois-based organizations experienced in healthcare education to develop and implement a telementoring program for pediatric asthma management, focusing on evidence-based practices and health equity.

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 support the establishment of new grocery stores in underserved areas of Illinois, aiming to improve access to fresh and affordable food in food deserts.

The Jackson National Life Insurance Company (Jackson) offers Community grants aimed at strengthening families and increasing economic opportunities. These grants align with Jackson's mission to support non-profits that positively impact individual trajectories and provide stability for families. The program has two main focus areas: Economic Opportunities and Strong Families, reflecting the foundation's strategic priorities to build on stability and help break cycles of poverty and trauma. Under the Economic Opportunities focus, Jackson supports non-profits that provide access to finance, employment, and education. This includes initiatives related to Career Pathways and Job Skills, Financial Education and Coaching, and Homeownership and Wealth Building. The expected outcome is to change individual trajectories by providing the tools and resources necessary for financial independence and stability. While specific measurable results are not explicitly stated, the focus on tangible areas like job skills and homeownership implies a theory of change where targeted interventions lead to improved economic well-being. The Strong Families focus is dedicated to supporting non-profits that help families overcome generational poverty and trauma by addressing their most critical needs. This encompasses programs providing Emergency Shelter, Access to Food, Intervention and care after crisis, Resilient Parenting and accessible Childcare, and Youth Mentoring. The goal is to provide stability and support, leading to a break in cycles of poverty and trauma. The foundation's theory of change here is that by providing foundational support and care, families can achieve greater resilience and well-being. Jackson awards funding to local nonprofits in specific geographic areas, including Lansing, MI, Nashville, TN, and Chicago, IL, through a competitive grant process. The eligibility criteria emphasize support for 501(c)3 tax-exempt organizations, with specific restrictions against funding individuals, private foundations, certain health and disease-specific organizations, religious organizations (unless broadly accessible and free from religious orientation), and schools or school-affiliated sports teams/clubs. This highlights Jackson's commitment to partnering with established non-profits that align with their community-focused mission and strategic priorities.

This funding opportunity supports non-profit organizations in DeKalb, Illinois, that provide essential services to help homeless individuals, low-income residents, the elderly, and people with disabilities achieve greater independence and self-sufficiency.

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.

The Illinois Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program is aimed at developing a skilled workforce to support clean jobs in Illinois. The program, funded by the state, is anticipated to offer 13 awards with a total funding amount of $37,900,000. No specific award range is specified. The program is open for applications starting July 7, 2023, and will close on June 30, 2024, at 5:00 PM. Technical assistance for applicants is available, with a session scheduled for July 14, 2023 at 3:00 PM; registration link for the session is provided in the original document.

This funding opportunity is designed for Illinois-based organizations to improve asthma care and education statewide, focusing on reducing health disparities and enhancing community partnerships.

The Heart of Illinois Community Foundation Grants is currently accepting applications for its 2024 CommunityWorks Grant Program. This program is designed to provide a coordinated, systems-based approach toward achieving community aspirations. The foundation's mission, as evidenced by this program, is to foster community development and address critical needs within its service area. The CommunityWorks Grant Program specifically targets organizations operating in Macon, Piatt, or Moultrie counties in Illinois, or Paris, IL. Eligible applicants include those with 501(c)(3) status or qualified charitable or government organizations. The program's impact goals are to support initiatives that contribute to workforce development, education, and environmental sustainability, ultimately improving the quality of life and opportunities within these communities. The program's priorities and focus areas are clearly defined: workforce development, education, and environmental sustainability. Proposals are invited in these three key areas, indicating the foundation's strategic commitment to these pillars of community well-being. This focused approach suggests a theory of change where investment in these sectors leads to a stronger, more resilient community. While specific measurable results are not detailed in the provided information, the program aims for the achievement of "community aspirations" through a "coordinated, systems-based approach." The funding range of $10,000 to $100,000 per grant, with a total of $400,000 available, suggests a significant investment intended to yield tangible improvements in the targeted areas. Successful outcomes would likely include enhanced employment opportunities, improved educational attainment, and demonstrable progress in environmental conservation within the supported regions.

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.