Illinois Environment Grants

This grant provides $25,000 and mentorship to early-stage climate technology companies in Illinois, helping them develop innovative solutions that positively impact the environment.

This funding program provides financial support for technical studies aimed at improving public and intermodal transportation planning in non-metropolitan areas of Illinois, specifically targeting local governments and transit agencies.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations promoting seven designated National Scenic Byways in Illinois, aimed at increasing awareness and visitor engagement with these scenic routes and their attractions.

The Regional Site Readiness Program’s Capital Ready Grant Program, funded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, offers between $250,000 to $3,000,000 to local governments, economic development organizations, nonprofits, for-profit organizations, and private landowners for infrastructure and capital improvements to prepare sites for future industrial and manufacturing development across all counties in Illinois.

This grant provides funding to Illinois communities designated as Tree City USA to remove dead or diseased trees and support future replanting efforts in disadvantaged areas.

This contest invites photographers of all skill levels to showcase their images of the Cook County Forest Preserves, with a focus on capturing the area's natural beauty and outdoor activities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local governments and eligible agencies in Illinois for developing non-motorized transportation infrastructure that enhances regional connectivity and promotes sustainable transportation options.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to charitable nonprofits in various sectors, including arts, education, and health, to help them implement programs or expand initiatives within the community.

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 for community organizations to educate and assist underserved communities in Illinois with accessing clean energy programs and initiatives.

This program provides funding to Illinois local governments to construct essential wastewater collection and treatment facilities for communities lacking these services, ensuring public health and environmental protection.

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 funding opportunity provides financial support to eligible contractors for developing renewable energy and energy efficiency projects that benefit low-income communities and promote workforce training in Illinois.

This grant provides funding to Illinois courts and related offices to improve accessibility for individuals with disabilities, ensuring they can fully participate in court activities and receive necessary accommodations.

The Heart of Illinois Community Foundation's Impact100 Grant Program is currently seeking applications, inviting proposals across a broad spectrum of community needs. While the explicit mission alignment and strategic priorities of the foundation are not detailed in the provided text, the grant program itself demonstrates an implicit commitment to fostering positive change in areas vital to community well-being. By supporting projects in arts/culture/recreation, social services, conservation/environment, health, youth, and education, the foundation aligns with a general philanthropic mission to enhance the quality of life for residents within its service area. The program's openness to operating funds, one-time projects addressing critical needs, new or expanding programs, and improvement projects beyond an organization's means, indicates a flexible and responsive approach to community investment. The target beneficiaries for this grant program are primarily non-profit organizations that serve the residents of Macon, Piatt, and Moultrie counties, or Paris, IL. Specifically, organizations with 501(c)(3) status or other qualified charitable, religious, or government organizations are eligible. A prioritization is given to 501(c)(3) organizations recognized by the IRS as operating public charities for a minimum of three years, suggesting a focus on established and sustainable entities. The overarching impact goal is to address critical needs within these communities by funding projects that fall within the designated categories. The grant program focuses on a diverse range of project types and subject areas. These include arts/culture/recreation, social services, conservation/environment, health, youth, and education. This broad scope indicates a desire to support a holistic improvement of community life. The funding also specifically supports operating funds, one-time projects addressing critical needs, new or expanding programs, and improvement projects. These priorities highlight the foundation's understanding that effective community support can take many forms, from sustaining ongoing operations to catalyzing new initiatives and addressing urgent needs. While specific expected outcomes and measurable results are not explicitly detailed in the provided text, the nature of the supported project types implies a desire for tangible community benefits. For instance, funding for social services would likely aim for improved well-being for vulnerable populations, while education grants would seek enhanced learning opportunities. Similarly, support for conservation/environment would aim for improved ecological health, and health grants for better public health outcomes. Organizations applying are likely expected to articulate their own specific, measurable outcomes that align with the foundation's broad areas of interest, demonstrating how their proposed projects will generate positive, quantifiable change within the communities served. With $200,000 available funding for 2024 and individual grants ranging from no minimum to $50,000, the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation is strategically investing in local organizations that are working to address the most pressing issues in Macon, Piatt, and Moultrie counties, and Paris, IL. Their theory of change, while not explicitly stated, appears to be rooted in empowering local non-profits to effect positive change through direct service, program development, and critical infrastructure improvements. By providing financial resources to a diverse array of projects, the foundation aims to strengthen the social fabric and overall vitality of the communities it serves, ultimately contributing to a healthier, more vibrant region.

The purpose of the EECBG Program is to assist eligible local governments ("eligible entities") in implementing strategies to reduce fossil fuel emissions, reduce total energy use, improve energy efficiency, and build a clean and equitable energy economy. The Illinois EPA Office of Energy identified the following project topic areas for funding eligibility: Energy Planning and Energy Efficiency: Energy Audits, Building Upgrades. Entities may develop various programs and projects that address one or more of the purposes in a cost effective manner that is of maximum benefit to the population served. Funding may not be used for regularly scheduled maintenance.

This program provides funding to Illinois-based nonprofits, educational institutions, and government entities to enhance the specialty crop industry, focusing on food safety, research, and support for underserved farmers.

This program provides financial support to publicly-owned wastewater treatment facilities in Illinois for implementing energy efficiency projects that reduce energy consumption and operational costs.

The 501vc® Investment Fund is seeking to invest $200,000 to $300,000 in early-stage climate tech startups in the Greater Midwest region, focusing on sectors like advanced materials, renewable energy, and agriculture technologies.

The Impact Central Illinois 2025 Grant Cycle is now open, offering significant funding opportunities for local nonprofit organizations. This women's collective giving organization combines contributions from members to fund impactful projects addressing critical community needs. For 2025, Impact Central Illinois plans to award three IMPACT Grants of $100,000 each and one INSPIRE Grant of $25,000, with the final grant amounts confirmed in December 2024. The funding cycle runs from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, with grants awarded during the organization’s annual meeting in June 2025. Nonprofits interested in applying must first complete Phase 1, which involves submitting financial documentation and an organizational questionnaire via the online portal by January 1, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST. This phase focuses on financial integrity, and the Financial Review Committee (FRC) will evaluate the submitted documentation in early 2025 to assess each organization's readiness to receive and implement a grant. Organizations approved during this phase will be invited in February 2025 to submit detailed proposals and budgets for consideration. Impact Central Illinois evaluates applications through a five-phase process. In Phase 2 and 3, eligible organizations submit proposals and project budgets, which are reviewed by the Grant Review Committees (GRCs). Phase 4 involves on-site visits and interviews with selected organizations’ leadership. Finally, in Phase 5, two finalists from each focus area are invited to the annual meeting, where they present their proposals, and members vote to select the grant recipients. Grant applications must align with one of three focus areas: Health & Community Wellbeing, Education & Community Development, or Social Services & Basic Needs. Smaller nonprofits applying for the INSPIRE Grant do not need to select a specific focus area. Applicants are required to submit three years of filed organizational 990s (990 or 990-EZ, not 990-N), proof of 501(c)(3) status, proof of good standing, and, if applicable, the most recent audit. For organizations unable to file 990s, a financial review template is available. Nonprofits are encouraged to thoroughly review the guidelines and submit complete and accurate documentation to maximize their chances of advancing through the grant cycle. Questions can be directed to grants@impactcentralillinois.org, and more details are available on the Impact Central Illinois website. This grant opportunity offers a substantial funding boost to organizations addressing critical community issues with innovative and measurable solutions.