Landscape Scale Restoration Grant Program 2025 Northeast and Midwest
FY 2024 (USDA-FS-2025-LSR-NORTHEAST-MIDWEST)

Application Deadline: Nov. 15, 2024
Grant Description: For landscape restoration projects on rural nonindustrial private forestland and/or rural tribal, state, or local government forestland. For the purposes of this program, “rural” means any city or town with a population of 50,000 or less according to the latest census.
Funding: Awards will be given to 12 projects, ranging from $25,000 - $600,000
Eligibility: Click on grant link to view full list.

Wetland Mitigation Banking Program
FY 2024 (USDA-NRCS-NHQ-WMBP-24-NOFO0001315)

Application Deadline: Nov. 21, 2024
Grant Description: Funds community-driven projects that address climate challenges and reduce pollution while strengthening communities through thoughtful implementation.
Funding: Awards will be given to 10 projects, ranging from $100,000 - $1,000,000 for a total of $7 million.
Eligibility: Native American tribal governments (federally recognized), small businesses, state governments, nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education), private institutions of higher education, special district governments, for profit organizations other than small businesses, city or township governments, public and state controlled institutions of higher education, county governments, nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education)

The Community Change Grants NOFO
FY 2024 (CFDA No. 66.616)

Application Deadline: Nov. 21, 2024
Grant Description: Funds community-driven projects that address climate challenges and reduce pollution while strengthening communities through thoughtful implementation.
Funding: Track I, Community-Driven Investments for Change, is expected to award approximately $1.96 billion for 150 projects for $10-20 million each. Track II, Meaningful Engagement for Equitable Governance, is expected to award approximately $40 million for 20 projects for $1-3 million each.
Eligibility: Those who are eligible include entities that are a partnership between two community-based nonprofit organizations (CBOs) or a partnership between a CBO and one of the following: Federally-Recognized Tribe, local government or an institution of higher education.

DCEO grants can be found on their website.

Quality Jobs Program

Application Deadline: Dec. 31, 2024
Grant Description: A joint initiative of the State workforce partners and the Illinois Department of Labor that is focused on developing, testing and evaluating strategies that improve the quality of jobs for workers and increase the competitiveness of key industries and employers.

Business Attraction Prime Sites

Application Deadline: June 30, 2025
Grant Description: The intent of this program is to assist companies with large-scale capital investment projects that commit to significant job creation for Illinois residents as they relocate or expand operations within Illinois. Business Attraction Prime Sites grants can encompass a wide range of economic development projects and may include infrastructure and capital equipment purchases that will result in job creation in the state of Illinois.

SBIR/STTR Match Program

Application Deadline: June 30, 2025
Grant Description: The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) are competitive federal grant programs that provide funding opportunities for small businesses to perform research and development (R&D) on technology of interest to federal agencies. Both projects provide funding to explore the potential of high-tech products and encourage commercialization of those products. This program would provide a state match to companies that have received awards through the SBIR and STTR grant programs.

CDBG Economic Development Program

Application Deadline: Rolling
Grant Description: The program provides financial assistance in the form of a grant to private businesses that create or retain jobs primarily for low-to-moderate income workers. Public infrastructure grants may also be made to support a private business that creates or retains jobs primarily for low- to moderate-income workers. This assistance can benefit both private "for-profit" and "not-for-profit" organizations.

Illinois Returning Residents Clean Jobs Program (CEJA)

Application Deadline: Rolling
Grant Description: Delivers clean jobs training in Illinois Department of Corrections facilities to individuals within 36 months of their release to prepare them to work in clean energy and related sector jobs upon release. The program will provide classroom instruction and hands-on learning opportunities, utilizing a standard Clean Jobs Curriculum Framework, connect program graduates with potential employers in the clean energy industry, and address participant needs

Federal Grant Support Program

Application Deadline: General announcement open with no specific due dates for applications
Grant Description: DCEO will make $15 million available to Illinois-based businesses and organizations seeking competitive federal grants. This match program will encourage more applicants to apply for federal grant opportunities, provide critical assistance to meet the minimum match eligibility requirements, and increase the competitiveness of applications.

Illinois Reproductive Health Facilities Capital Grant Program
Grant Description: This opportunity will support reproductive health care providers in Illinois that are experiencing increased demand for their services. Projects could include improvements and repairs, new construction, security upgrades, and equipment to increase capacity and enhance safety. This includes the purchase of vehicles for mobile care units. Facilities must provide or plan to provide abortion care as defined in the Illinois Reproductive Health Act.
Deadline: Rolling through 2024, or until funds are depleted

Funding available for water quality projects

The Illinois EPA is offering $5 million in grants for green infrastructure projects that will prevent, eliminate or reduce storm water runoff, or help reduce flooding events throughout the state. Organizations should apply online by Nov. 20.

Applications open for Community Development Block Grants

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is offering $26 million in grants through the Community Development Block Grant program for public infrastructure and housing rehabilitation projects. Eligible applicants can apply for grants of up to $1 million for public infrastructure projects and up to $650,000 for housing rehabilitation projects. Applications will be accepted until Dec. 4. For more information, visit DCEO’s website.

Grants available for new grocery stores in food deserts

Eligible entities can apply for funding to combat food insecurity across Illinois through the second round of the New Stores in Food Deserts Program. This Illinois Grocery Initiative supports new independent, nonprofit and co-op grocery stores, as well as new stores run by local governments. Learn more and apply by Dec. 2 by visiting the DCEO website. 

Apply for funding from the Illinois Arts Council

 The Illinois Arts Council is accepting applications for the Creative Accelerator Fund. The CAF will provide flexible $10,000 awards to 130 artists across the state with the goal of strengthening the creative workforce and investing in artists’ professional growth. The deadline to apply is Nov. 20. Artists can review eligibility and find more details on the IAC website.

Over $25 million available for electric public transit buses

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is accepting applications for funding to support the replacement of existing public transit buses with all-electric options. Grants will be awarded to eligible government and transit agencies on a first-come, first-served basis. To learn more and apply, click here.

Grants will be continually added to this page that will be available to the 43rd District.

The DCEO website will provide a compiled list of all grants in Illinois here.