Illinois Grants

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.

This funding program provides financial support for the development and maintenance of off-highway vehicle parks and trails in Illinois, targeting local governments, private clubs, and individuals to promote responsible recreational use.

This program provides federal funding to schools and local organizations in Illinois to create safer walking and biking routes for K-12 students.

This program provides funding to local public agencies in Illinois for transportation projects that improve safety, support complete streets, and enhance local infrastructure, particularly in disadvantaged areas.

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 funding opportunity provides financial support to states and U.S. territories with high seismic risk to improve earthquake safety through mitigation, preparedness, and educational initiatives.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Illinois colleges and universities to help address and alleviate housing insecurity among their students.

This program provides funding to community-based food banks in Illinois to improve access to nutritious food for adults by enhancing food offerings and implementing nutrition-focused policies.

This funding program provides financial support to states, territories, and Tribes for monitoring beach water quality and ensuring public safety from harmful pathogens during recreational activities.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations, local governments, and public schools in selected states to implement sustainability initiatives, workforce development, and community resilience programs that enhance the quality of life and economic vitality in their communities.

This funding opportunity provides financial assistance to nonprofit organizations in McHenry County facing urgent, unforeseen challenges that threaten their operations or mission.

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 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.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations focused on improving veteran mental health through stable housing solutions and supportive services in select states.

This funding opportunity is designed for research partners in the Great Lakes-Northern Forest region to study and develop strategies for controlling the invasive Grass Carp population in Lake Erie and its tributaries.

This program provides funding to under-resourced communities in the Mississippi River Delta and Alabama Black Belt regions to develop strategic plans that address local economic development challenges.

This grant provides funding to organizations in Illinois focused on promoting safe sleep practices to prevent sleep-related deaths among infants.

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 funding opportunity provides financial support to individual artists, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions in Illinois for the creation and public presentation of diverse artistic projects that engage the community.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofits and educational institutions in East Central Illinois that implement nature-based projects to combat climate change and enhance biodiversity through ecological practices like tree planting and prairie restoration.