Illinois Education Grants

The Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust's grant program aims to enhance the quality of life for companion animals and native wildlife. This mission aligns with the foundation's core belief in supporting innovative projects that go beyond basic care, providing long-term benefits for animals today and in the future. The trust focuses on helping organizations deliver an enhanced quality of life for homeless and abused companion animals. The target beneficiaries of this grant program include homeless and abused companion animals, native wildlife, and owned companion animals in under-resourced urban/rural areas or those owned by socially vulnerable populations. Impact goals include increasing successful adoptions, improving staff and volunteer care delivery, promoting humane education, enhancing access to medical care, and controlling pet and feral animal populations through spay/neuter initiatives. The program prioritizes several key areas: animal adoption, behavior training, and fostering; continuing education and training for staff and volunteers; humane and wildlife education; medical care, rehabilitation, and wellness care for animals; pet and feral animal population control through spay/neuter; equipment directly benefiting animals; and other animal care initiatives that celebrate the human-animal bond. Preferred projects include non-capital means of expanding shelter capacity, opportunities for staff and volunteer development, school and community programs addressing humane care, and assistance for owned pets from under-resourced households. Expected outcomes and measurable results include increased successful adoptions, improved delivery of care by staff and volunteers, enhanced community understanding of animal welfare, better access to medical care for vulnerable animal populations, and a reduction in unwanted pet populations. The foundation's strategic priorities are centered on supporting initiatives that lead to a high quality of life for individual animals and significant improvements for large numbers of animals. Their theory of change is that by funding innovative projects and supporting eligible organizations, they can foster better humane care, improve animal well-being, and address critical issues such as overpopulation and lack of access to care, ultimately creating a more compassionate environment for animals.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for small and mid-sized manufacturers in Illinois to develop internship and workforce training programs that enhance skills and address labor shortages.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations in Illinois working to improve broadband access, digital literacy, and inclusion for underserved communities, helping bridge the digital divide and promote economic development.

This funding opportunity provides $2.6 million to support innovative workforce training projects that enhance employment outcomes and strengthen the training infrastructure in Illinois.

This program provides financial support to educators in Boone and Winnebago Counties to fund innovative projects that enhance the quality of education for students from Early Childhood through Grade 12.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Dallas, Detroit, and Chicago that assist working students with job training, career development, and other resources to help them succeed while balancing education and employment.

Will County has allocated $225,000 in grant dollars to support the important work of early child care providers in Will County. Child care providers pursue grant funding for educational materials, developmental support services, and/or improvements to physical space and technology. The “Elevate Will County – Child Care Provider Grant” represents a key priority for Will County: Supporting and empowering early childhood development throughout the county. The grant is funded in the FY2024 budget, utilizing allocated dollars from the State of Illinois Cannabis Sales Tax. Will County is partnering with Birth to Five Illinois to administer the grant. Grant awards will range from $2,000 to $10,000. Providers can submit multiple applications for award through the grant. Child Care providers have until May 22, 2024 to apply! Only DCFS Licensed Child Care providers within Will County are eligible. A virtual technical assistance workshop will be held on April 24, 2024 at 10:00 AM.

The CHIditarod Foundation is actively accepting grant applications to support local non-profit organizations dedicated to combating hunger. Their mission is deeply aligned with fostering innovative solutions and strengthening community resources to address food insecurity. The foundation provides two distinct funding opportunities: The CHIditarod Program Development Grant and The CHIditarod Infrastructure Investment Grant, both designed to empower organizations working towards a hunger-free community. The grants target non-profits operating in Northern Illinois that are recognized as 501(c)(3) organizations or have fiscal sponsorship from one. These organizations should be in good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State and registered with the Illinois Attorney General. The ultimate impact goal is to create a more food-secure environment within these communities. The foundation prioritizes programs that focus on a range of critical areas. These include innovative educational opportunities, building strong partnerships with other organizations and policy-relevant leaders engaged in local issues, and initiatives centered around health, nutrition, or creative work on various aspects of food. A key focus is on innovation that addresses challenges related to food access and availability, ensuring that creative and effective solutions are brought to the forefront. While specific measurable results are not detailed in the provided information, the foundation's strategic priorities implicitly aim for improved food access, enhanced nutritional outcomes, and strengthened community capacity to address hunger. By supporting program development and infrastructure, the CHIditarod Foundation operates on a theory of change that by investing in innovative and collaborative local efforts, significant strides can be made in eradicating hunger and fostering sustainable solutions within Northern Illinois.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local governments, nonprofits, and educational institutions for projects that protect coastal habitats, improve public access, and enhance community resilience along the Illinois Lake Michigan shoreline.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has introduced the Home Illinois Workforce Pilot as part of the Job Training Economic Development Program, with a $5 million budget to address homelessness and workforce development. This grant targets Continuum of Care (COC) areas, aiming to connect individuals experiencing homelessness with employment opportunities, thereby enhancing financial stability and access to permanent housing. The program prioritizes employment navigation, partnerships, support services, work readiness, and training and education. It seeks to create a system where homeless individuals can secure and retain quality jobs, contributing to their long-term economic and housing stability.

The College and Career Success for All Students Act (105 ILCS 302) establishes criteria to “ensure each Illinois student has a sufficient education for success after high school and that all students have equal access to substantive and rigorous curriculum designed to challenge their minds, enhance their knowledge and skills, and prepare them for success in college and work.” The purpose of the program is to encourage eligible school districts to implement or expand AP® programs designed to offer rigorous course work necessary for all students to succeed in postsecondary education or in the workplace. Training for teachers and administrators is necessary to build capacity within schools to offer AP® courses.

This funding opportunity supports academic enrichment and youth development programs for students in high-poverty, low-performing schools during non-school hours, while also providing family literacy and educational support.

In alignment with Center for Disease Control (CDC) viral hepatitis goals and current epidemiology, the Illinois Department of Public Health Office of Disease Control Viral Hepatitis Program is requesting applications for Hepatitis B (HBV) outreach, education, and linkage to care programs targeting populations disproportionately impacted by hepatitis B (foreign born Asian and/or African immigrant or refugee population, and persons who use drugs (PWUD). Through the provision of outreach and education services, this funding seeks to increase the priority population(s)’s knowledge and awareness of hepatitis B, increase hepatitis B screening, link people who are chronically infected with hepatitis B into care and decrease viral hepatitis-related morbidity and mortality within priority populations. This funding opportunity will allow organizations to expand their reach through partnering with community partners focused on health equity to enhancing their ability to reach disproportionately affected populations at high risk for hepatitis B. The Initiative is funded through State of Illinois general revenue funding to establish relationship with stakeholders, individuals, and organizations for the purpose of providing Hepatitis B outreach and education programs to underserved foreign born Asian and African immigrant, refugee communities, and persons who use drugs (PWUD) with educational messaging and referral linkages to screening and vaccination services. In 2021, approximately 880,000 to 1.89 million people were living with chronic hepatitis B in the U.S. Chronic hepatitis B can lead to serious health problems, including cirrhosis, liver cancer, and death. Currently, data on the HBV seroprevalence among foreign born and refugee populations from Asian and African communities is not recorded systematically in the US. However, the prevalence of HBV among Asian and African immigrant, refugee communities tend to reflect the prevalence in their country of origin. HBV is highly prevalent (>8%) in East Asian, sub-Saharan African nations, and tend to have high rates of chronic viral hepatitis. The focus of any funded program shall not be screening and vaccination, or treatment efforts, but the outreach to, and the education of, the target population regarding Hepatitis B and referral and linkage opportunities for screening, vaccination, and treatment services. These populations face unique problems that place them at greater risk for Hepatitis B infection, mistrust of traditional western medicine, stigma associated with viral hepatitis, barriers to accessing medical care (Language, insurance, undocumented). Programs should be unique, culturally innovative to the specified target group, and increase ongoing efforts of the Department to eliminate the disparities in screenings, vaccinations, medical management, transmission, and overall health outcomes experienced by Asian and African immigrant, refugee communities, and persons who use drugs (PWUD) relative to Hepatitis B.

Value: The Highland Area Community Foundation (H.A.C.F.) appears to be offering a grant for community-related projects. Applicants are required to submit a proposal narrative that includes a description of the organization's general purpose, objectives, and operational scope; a statement of the problem addressed; details on the purpose and expectations of the specific project for which funding is sought, including its relevance to community needs; a proposed program design; and a detailed project budget including other funding sources. Funds must be used specifically for the purpose stated in the grant award, and a progress report with photos is required within 12 months of receiving the award.

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

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.

Grant Opportunity: Short-term Teaching Artist Residency Program (Illinois) The Short-term Teaching Artist Residency Program in Illinois supports elementary schools, community centers, and public libraries in engaging teaching artists for short-term residencies. The program prioritizes advancing equity and access in the arts, particularly for underserved audiences such as BIPOC communities, individuals with disabilities, older adults, and those with limited access to the arts. Eligible applicants can request a minimum of $250 and a maximum of $4,500 to cover 75% of residency costs. Additional percentages can be added under specific conditions. Applicants must be tax-exempt organizations or units of government in Illinois, while the selected artists must be based in Illinois. The application deadline is at least eight weeks before the project start date. For more information, visit Short-term Teaching Artist Residency Program.

The Genetic Education and Follow-Up (GEFU) grant program, managed by the Illinois Department of Public Health, aims to implement a Department-approved genetic screening tool to provide referral recommendations for children and family members in the Champaign region. Supported by the Newborn Screening fund, the program seeks to enhance awareness of genetic services, improve access to care, and promote early and uninterrupted treatment for diagnosed conditions. The total program funding is $300,000, with annual funding of $100,000 for fiscal years 2025, 2026, and 2027. Applications are accepted from April 1, 2024, to May 29, 2024, with no cost-sharing or matching requirements.

This program provides funding to organizations in Illinois to develop and expand apprenticeship opportunities, particularly for underrepresented populations, by fostering collaboration among employers, educational institutions, and community organizations.

This grant opportunity from Grand Victoria Foundation is focused on supporting organizations in Elgin that are dedicated to inclusive civic engagement and high-functioning human services, education, and economic systems. The foundation awards Mission Grants to organizations meeting the needs of the community and Partnership and Collaboration Grants to those working with local institutions to bring about positive community change. Eligible organizations must be registered as a 501(c)(3) public charity or partnered with a fiscal sponsor, demonstrate high quality and impact, good governance and management, and fiscal health. The foundation does not fund individuals, political campaigns, religious purposes, or governmental entities. They welcome multi-year requests from organizations with which they have an existing or prior funding relationship and generally consider proposals for two-year grants. The application process begins with the submission of a Letter of Inquiry (LOI), which can be submitted throughout the year. Potential applicants are encouraged to review the program areas and eligibility requirements before completing the online LOI application. For more information about this grant opportunity and to begin your application, please visit: https://grandvictoriafoundation.givingdata.com/portal/campaign/gvfletterofinquiry