Illinois Environment Grants

This funding opportunity provides $1 million to non-profit organizations in Cook County for acquiring land and making capital improvements to enhance community facilities near 6810 South Halsted Street, Chicago.

This program provides funding to community organizations and partners in Illinois to develop and implement solar energy projects that prioritize local ownership and benefit underserved populations.

This program provides funding to individuals and groups for small-scale projects that improve neighborhood accessibility, promote environmental stewardship, and foster community connections.

This grant provides funding to states, territories, and Tribes to monitor beach water quality and inform the public about safety during recreational activities in coastal waters.

This program provides funding to support renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in Illinois, specifically targeting disadvantaged communities and organizations that serve them.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Great Lakes states and tribes for collaborative projects aimed at preventing and managing aquatic invasive species across state and tribal boundaries.

This program provides funding to local governments in Illinois to create a detailed inventory of lead service lines in their water systems, focusing on high-risk areas.

This program provides funding for projects that electrify mobile sources to improve air quality and reduce emissions in Illinois.

This program provides federal funding to local governments, schools, nonprofits, and other eligible entities for projects that improve transportation options, safety, and environmental quality in the St. Louis metropolitan area.

This program provides funding to organizations for projects that improve broadband access in underserved and unserved communities across Illinois, promoting digital equity and economic growth.

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 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.

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.

The Equitable Energy Future Grant Program, established by Public Act 102-0662, is intended to provide grants of up to $1 million promoting renewable energy1 and energy efficiency2 projects that will accomplish any or all of the following: • Provide benefits to low-income communities wherein at least 50% of projected energy produced or saved benefits low-income households3 or not-for-profit organizations providing services to low-income households, affordable housing owners, or community-based businesses providing services to low-income households; • Invest in equity investment eligible communities (defined below); • Provide on-the-job training; • Support contractors who are participating in or have demonstrated an intent to participate in the Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Program and the Clean Energy Primes Contractor Accelerator Program (when operational

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 funding opportunity supports community-based organizations in Illinois to help individuals from economically disadvantaged backgrounds access training and job opportunities in the clean energy sector.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is offering two grant programs: the Rebuild Downtowns & Main Streets (RDMS) Capital Grant Program and the Research in Illinois to Spur Economic Recovery (RISE) Implementation Grant Program. Both programs aim to accelerate Illinois' economic recovery and promote long-term, sustainable, and inclusive growth, aligning with a mission to revitalize communities and foster economic development. The total funding expected is $20 million for RDMS and $10 million for RISE Implementation, with individual grants ranging from $250,000 to $2 million. The RDMS program specifically targets communities that have experienced disinvestment, particularly those hardest-hit by the COVID-19 crisis. The goal is to facilitate investment to revitalize commercial corridors and downtown areas in Illinois through capital grants. Eligible applicants for both programs include economic development organizations (EDOs), local units of government (e.g., municipalities, counties, townships), and private businesses. Special purpose local units of government are not eligible. The priorities for RDMS include supporting capital projects that improve and repair roads, sidewalks, and lighting; develop public spaces to attract events; improve water and sewer infrastructure; and facilitate mixed-use development to add vitality to commercial corridors and downtowns. These priorities are aimed at tangible infrastructure and development projects that directly contribute to the revitalization of downtown areas. Expected outcomes for these programs include accelerated economic recovery and the promotion of long-term, sustainable, and inclusive growth throughout Illinois. Measurable results will likely involve the number and scale of capital projects completed, the revitalization of commercial corridors, increased economic activity in targeted areas, and improvements in public infrastructure. The grant duration is 2 years, with the period of performance expected to be late calendar year 2024 through the end of calendar year 2026. The DCEO's strategic priority is clearly to stimulate economic recovery and growth through targeted investments in key community infrastructure and development.

This program provides matching grants to local businesses in Libertyville to support growth and sustainability through various improvements, excluding general operational costs.

This program provides funding and leadership opportunities for high school students in DeKalb County, Illinois, to engage in philanthropy and support initiatives that improve the quality of life for local youth.

This funding opportunity is designed for partners affiliated with the Great Lakes-Northern Forest CESU to conduct research that supports the restoration and management of coastal ecosystems in the Great Lakes Basin, focusing on issues like invasive species and nutrient dynamics.