Illinois State Grants

Emergency Mgt Agency · Amount varies

This FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance program funds state, territorial, and federally recognized tribal governments, applying through the state's emergency management agency or floodplain management office, to reduce repetitive flood damage to buildings insured under the National Flood Insurance Program. Only one application is accepted per state, territory, or tribe, and the applicant must already have a FEMA-approved hazard mitigation plan in place. Award amounts and a deadline were not listed, so check the current FEMA notice for the active funding cycle; local nonprofits and businesses cannot apply directly.

Commerce And Econ Opp · $300K–$1M

This Illinois DCEO Community Development Block Grant Economic Development Program offers awards between $300,000 and $1,000,000. The listing doesn't specify eligibility or funded activities — confirm details with DCEO before applying.

Aging · $15K–$75K

State and local governments, tribal governments and organizations, faith-based and community-based nonprofits, hospitals, and colleges/universities can apply for this Illinois Aging Department program (Older Americans Act Section 411; state agencies also eligible under ACA Section 2042). It funds mentoring and internship programs within Adult Protective Services provider networks to build a pipeline of trained staff and address elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Awards range from $15,000 to $75,000.

Natural Resources · $50K–$800K

Government agencies, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and for-profit businesses can apply for this Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) grant to Great Lakes states, administered via Illinois Natural Resources, which funds habitat and species protection, conservation, and restoration priorities in the Great Lakes Basin. Awards range from $50,000 to $800,000.

Natural Resources · Up to $100K

This 2025 NOAA-funded Interjurisdictional Fisheries Act research program supports research, surveys, and monitoring of fish activity in waterways spanning multiple jurisdictions, with awards up to $100,000. Eligibility is limited to government organizations only. No application deadline is listed.

Natural Resources · Up to $50K

Illinois DNR (Phase 3) funding for greenway and trail planning along abandoned rail corridors, open only to public or quasi-public government agencies, not individuals, nonprofits, or businesses. Eligible applicants are limited to specific Illinois communities over 10,000 population or counties that have not already taken part in earlier planning phases, or multi-jurisdiction and interstate coalitions. These are non-competitive grants for pre-identified priority projects, capped around $20,000, with no application deadline listed.

Natural Resources · $30K–$3M

This Illinois Department of Natural Resources program (FY25) funds fish and wildlife management activities supporting Ohio River Basin Asian Carp control efforts, open to government agencies, educational institutions, nonprofits, and for-profit organizations, with awards from $30,000 to $3,000,000. Eligibility is broad across sectors. No application deadline is listed.

Emergency Mgt Agency · Amount varies

This FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program funds states, U.S. territories, federally recognized tribal governments, and local governments for hazard mitigation activities. Per the listing, eligible applicants are predetermined by FEMA through the FEMA GO system rather than open to general application, so most organizations cannot apply directly. Award amounts and a deadline were not listed; check the current FEMA notice for the active funding cycle.

Natural Resources · $1K–$200K

This Illinois Forest Action Plan (Forest Health) grant funds data collection on tree and forest disease conditions, open to 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, but explicitly excludes institutions of higher education. Awards range from $1,000 to $200,000. No application deadline is listed.

Emergency Mgt Agency · Amount varies

Restricted to states, U.S. territories, federally recognized Tribal governments, and local governments that FEMA has predetermined are eligible via the FEMA GO application system — not open to general applicants. Funds hazard mitigation activities under the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program. No award amount is listed for this specific (2023) cycle.

Natural Resources · $10K–$1M

Government agencies, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations can apply for this Illinois Natural Resources State Wildlife Grant, which funds projects benefiting fish, wildlife, and their habitats — with priority given to species of greatest conservation concern. Awards range from $10,000 to $1,000,000.

Natural Resources · $20K–$6M

Open to government agencies, schools, nonprofits, and for-profit organizations for invasive carp management in Illinois waterways under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Funds technical and financial assistance to protect, conserve, or restore habitat and species on public or private land in the Great Lakes Basin. Awards range from $20,000 up to $6 million; no deadline listed.

Environmental Protection · $5K–$25K

This is an Energy Efficiency Assessment Program from a state Environmental Protection agency, with awards ranging from $5,000 to $25,000, but no eligibility criteria or project description is listed. Applicants should contact the funder directly to confirm who qualifies and what activities are fundable.

Natural Resources · $1K–$350K

Open to Illinois units of local government, universities, and nonprofit organizations for coastal planning, coastal hazards, habitat protection, and education/outreach projects. Private individuals and for-profit organizations are not eligible, and applicants must be pre-qualified through the State of Illinois GATA grantee portal. This is a reimbursement grant, with awards from $1,000 to $350,000.

Natural Resources · $50K–$800K

Open to government agencies, schools, nonprofits, and for-profit organizations for aquatic invasive species work in Great Lakes states. Funds technical and financial assistance to identify, protect, conserve, manage, or restore habitat and species on public or private land within the Great Lakes Basin. Awards range from $50,000 to $800,000; no deadline listed.

Illinois Community College Board · Amount varies

Open to a broad range of eligible providers under WIOA Section 203(5): local educational agencies, community-based organizations, nonprofit agencies, institutions of higher education, libraries, public housing authorities, volunteer literacy organizations, and consortia of these entities. Funds adult education and literacy services, including help earning a secondary diploma, English language instruction, civics education, and career-pathway transitions for adults 16+ who lack basic literacy or English proficiency. No specific award amount is listed; applicants must demonstrate capacity to deliver adult education services.