Grants Available
Illinois Grocery Initiative – New Stores in Food Deserts
Program Details: This program will provide grants intended to address the challenge of food deserts. This program aims to combat food insecurity by offering competitive grants to support the establishment of new grocery stores in these areas by reimbursing successful applicants for eligible capital and non-capital costs. Grant awards will range from $160,000 to $2.4 million per applicant.
Eligible Applicants: Units of local government, independent grocers, or cooperatives with fewer than 500 employees and no more than four grocery locations. This includes for-profit and nonprofit entities. Eligibility for this program will also be based geographic location, characteristics of prospective store ownership, and the intended offering of the stores.
Application Deadline: May 24, 2024
Rebuild Downtowns & Main Streets/RISE Implementation Grants
Program Details: DCEO is providing a joint application for the RDMS and RISE Implementation programs. $20 million has been allocated for RDMS and $10 million for RISE, with individual grants for both opportunities ranging from $250,000 to $2 million. An applicant may receive no more than one award through this NOFO. RDMS will facilitate investment to revitalize commercial corridors and downtown areas in Illinois, offering capital grants to support improvements in communities that have experienced disinvestment, particularly those hardest-hit by the COVID-19 crisis. This support will help to accelerate Illinois’ economic recovery and promote long-term, sustainable, and inclusive growth for the state. RDMS grants are available for capital projects only.
Eligible Applicants: Economic development organizations; units of local government (e.g., municipalities, counties, townships); and private businesses. Grants will be determined by the characteristics of the applicant and the project.
Application Deadline: July 22, 2024
OPEN OPPORTUNITIES
Equitable Energy Future Grant Program
Program Details: This program provides front-loaded funding to support development of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, businesses, community organizations, and job creation benefitting historically disadvantaged populations. Approximately $25,500,000 total will be available with grants ranging between $250,000 and $1,000,000.
Eligible Applicants: Equity Eligible Contractors; businesses, nonprofits that met equity building criteria; and equity eligible persons.
Application Deadline: June 24, 2024
State Job Training and Workforce Programs – Workforce Services for Low- and Moderate-Income Individuals Including Immigrants, Migrants, and Refugees
Program Details: This program will provide workforce and training services to underserved communities, particularly immigrants, migrants, and refugees. who need training to access employment or skill upgrades to advance their employment. Workers must currently reside in Illinois and are eligible to work in Illinois at the completion of the program - definitions for participants are online.
Eligible Applicants: All applicants must demonstrate partnerships with employers and educational entities to create local and regional strategies. Additionally, applicants should consider incorporating Barrier Reduction funding into the training strategy to support participant completion of training and retention in employment.
Application Deadline: June 30, 2024
Community Development Block Grant-Coronavirus Urban Shelter Program
Program Details: The Urban Shelter grant program (NOFO 3351-2722) is funded by the Community Development Block Grant – Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Designed to increase shelter capacity to pre-COVID levels, activities must relate to the prevention of, preparation for, or response to Coronavirus. Grants are available for no less than $500,000 and no more than $2 million. Eligible activities must relate to one of the following codes:
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01 Acquisition: CDBG-CV funds will be used only for the acquisition of property for a public purpose.
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03C Homeless Facilities (not operating costs): Funds for construction, conversion, renovation, or rehabilitation of shelters for the homeless, including shelters for domestic violence victims.
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03Q Abused and Neglected Children’s Facilities (not operating costs): Funds for construction, conversion, and renovation or rehabilitation of shelters providing temporary housing for abused and neglected children.
Eligible Applicants: Although CDBG funds coming to the State are normally used in rural areas, due to the CARES Act funding, this specific grant is available only in areas that receive their own direct allocation of CDBG funds. Review additional eligibility requirements.
Application Deadline: July 31, 2024
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Program Details: The energy bill assistance program offered through the Help Illinois Families Program will assist eligible families with natural gas, propane, and electricity bills. Program Year 2024 includes a variety of improvements based on feedback from advocates such as an expanded program year, as well as reinstating the pre-pandemic practice of tiered applications to allow families most in need to apply first. Community Action Agencies are accepting applications for the $237 million available.
Application Deadline: August 15, 2024, or until funds are exhausted.
ONGOING OPPORTUNITIES
Illinois Reproductive Health Facilities Capital Grant Program
Program Details: 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. $5 million total, grants will range between $50,000 and $500,000. A 15% total project cash match is required.
Eligible Applicants: Nonprofit and for-profit clinics providing or planning to provide pregnancy-related services in a clinical setting. Extra points will be awarded for projects in rural or underserved areas.
Application Deadline: Rolling until funds are depleted.
Federal Grant Support Program
Program Details: Competitive federal grants typically require matching funds. Illinois-based businesses and organizations seeking federal grants that align with the State’s economic development objectives can apply for this grant to have the State cover a part of the match. Applicants can apply for this program while they are preparing an application for a federal grant. If successful, they will then receive a letter of commitment that they will be awarded a DCEO grant contingent on receiving a federal award. $15 million total funding available. Awards are capped at $2 million and must match the applicant’s cash contribution at least 1:1.
Eligible Applicants: Nonprofits, educational institutions, local governments, and businesses.
Application Deadline: Rolling
REMINDER: Help you and your staff serve your constituents!
To help nonprofits and local governments with DCEO grant applications, GATA prequalification, and audit issues, our team has opened a help desk. Grantees may contact the Grant Help Desk by e-mail at CEO.GrantHelp@illinois.gov or submit a question and one of our staff members will get back to you. If possible, grantees should provide their GATA ID with their inquiry.
View Additional Opportunities at the DCEO Funding Opportunities Website.
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