Funding Opportunities

State Resources

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Below are a few currently open:

 

Future Energy Job Act Multi-Cultural Grant Program (Notice of Funding Opportunity 2875-2990)

• Description: “The Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA) and Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) were created to stimulate job growth in the clean energy economy with investments in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and clean energy workforce development. The Multi-Cultural Jobs Program provides an opportunity to take action toward providing innovative, employer-driven training approaches that pair education and occupational training with work-based learning and supportive services to individuals in need of self-sustaining employment.”

• Award Range: $500,000 - $1,000,000

• Deadline: July 1, 2025, 5:00PM

 

Solar Pipeline Training Program (Notice of Funding Opportunity 2750-2996)

• Description: “Through this NOFO, DCEO is making $3 million available for eligible organizations to provide skill development, supportive services, and solar training services for qualified, traditionally underserved participants seeking employment in the clean energy industry, specifically in solar occupations.”

• Award Range: varies

• Deadline: July 1, 2025, at 11:59PM

 

Clean Energy Career Pathway Program

• Description: “The Clean Energy Career Pathway Program will provide funding directly to eligible recipients to support the planning and implementation of a Clean Energy Career Pathway. Programs will include coursework, field experiences, and work-based learning designed to prepare students for entrance into careers focusing on clean energy. To ensure equitable pathways for students, this funding opportunity seeks qualified, eligible entities working with secondary school students in partnership with Local Workforce Innovation Areas and institutions of higher education. This program will recruit students into clean energy fields (with a priority for EV occupations) and create pathways encompassing technical and employability skills with dual credit options.”

• Award Range: $250,000 - $750,000

• Deadline: September 30, 2025 at 5:00pm

 

Illinois Grocery Initiative - Equipment Upgrade Program (Round 2)

• Description: “The Illinois Grocery Initiative Equipment Upgrades Program, authorized by Public Act 103-0561, will provide grants for new energy-efficient equipment upgrades for existing independently-owned for-profit grocery stores, cooperative grocery stores, or not-for-profit grocery stores.” “DCEO has contracted with Chicago State University (CSU) and Western Illinois University (WIU) to provide technical assistance services for Illinois Grocery Initiative applicants and grantees.” (page 1-2 of NOFO). There is a matching component please read the NOFO.

• Award Range: $25,000 - $250,000

• Deadline: December 15, 2025 at 5:00PM or until funds are exhausted (applications accepted on rolling basis) 

 

Additional Government Resources

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City of Aurora - One Aurora Neighborhood Empowerment Grant Program

• Description: “This program provides one-time funding to assist residents with reimbursement for projects such as paint, window, and door screen repair, siding repairs, general landscaping, fencing improvements, and small repairs that affect the exterior presentation of the home.”

• Award Range: up to $1,000

• Deadline: “…on a rolling basis until funds are depleted through December 31, 2025”

 

City of Rockford’s Commercial Corridor Property Revitalization Program

• Description: “The City of Rockford’s Commercial Corridor Property Revitalization Program offers forgivable loans to business and property owners who make investment in commercial and industrial spaces in specific corridors in Rockford. The Program offers to cover 75% of project costs up to $25,000 to assist property owners and/or tenants make building improvements. Ideal projects add value, extend the longevity of the qualifying properties, and make substantial or aesthetic improvements to the property.” This is a “… first-come first-serve basis (for approved projects)…”

• Funding Range: up to $25,000

• Deadline: June 20, 2025 (or until funds run out – whichever comes first)

 

Cook County Department of Environment and Sustainability’s (DES) free Businesses Reducing Impact on the Environment (BRITE) program

• Description: Open to businesses in suburban Cook County who have 500 or less employees, were negatively impacted by COVID-19 pandemic, were in operation prior to January 1, 2020 and are in the following industries:

• Dry cleaning facility

• Auto body or auto repair shop

• Metal finisher

• Metal fabricator

• Food and beverage manufacturer

• Award Range: up to $300,000 (please note, “To receive a BRITE grant, small businesses must complete the interest survey by DES or must have had a similar environmental assessment conducted by a DES partner or third party.)

 

Village of Gurnee – Impact Grant

• Description: “This is a 1:1 matching grant open to a business of any size located within the Village of Gurnee corporate limits, generate sales tax, in good standing with the Village and compliant with all obligations, & a building owner of a qualifying business. No minimum project size with a rolling application period.”

• Award Range: $10,000 - $20,000

 

Community / Private Resources

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Small Certified Supplier Innovative Finance Program

• Description: Open to certified minority-, women-, veteran-, and LGBTQ+ owned businesses (certified by national or state organizations) in the following states California, Georgia, Kansas, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Pennsylvania, or New Jersey. The annual revenue of the business should be between $250,000 to $10 million.

• Award Range: $5,000

 

National Grassroots Organizing Program (NGO) from Ben & Jerry’s Foundation

• Description: “The National Grassroots Organizing Program (NGO) offers two-year unrestricted, general operating support grants of up to $30,000 per year, with an average grant size of $20,000 per year, to small (budgets under $350,000), constituent-led grassroots organizations throughout the United States and its territories.” Organizations must be a nonprofit, 501(c)3 or have a fiscal sponsor.

• Award Range: up to $30,000 per year

 

The Affirm Cares Employee Foundation

• Description: “Affirm Cares funds 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations who seek to make a positive impact in one or more of our core three pillars; financial literacy & inclusion, technology education & training, and vibrant communities.”

• Award Range: $1,000 to $10,000

• Deadline: rolling until funds are exhausted

 

Embark - REI Co-op Path Ahead Ventures and Founded Outdoors

• Description: “Embark is a virtual, 3-month program designed to fuel new and aspiring entrepreneurs from Black, Indigenous, Latina/o/x, and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities as you build a path forward by offering the resources and guidance to turn early-stage ideas into viable businesses.” Open nationwide to businesses that “…are building a product, service, or experience that inspires and equips people in their lives outside including gear, apparel, furniture, mobile app, website, e-commerce, retail, outdoor experience, service, food and beverage, skincare, etc.” To read more about eligibility, click here.

• Award Range: $5,000 upon program completion

• Deadline: June 18, 2025 at 11:59pm PST

 

Progressive® Driving Small Business Forward 2025

• Description: "Progressive is dedicating $1 million to award 20 deserving businesses with a $50,000 grant each. Grant recipients will also be invited to attend an exclusive 12-week virtual Boost Camp coaching program, designed to provide small business owners with coaching, connection, and resources to take the next leap forward." Open nationwide to businesses with 10 or fewer employees, generate less than $5 million in annual revenue, need a commercial vehicle for their business, and not an independent contractor. 

• Award Range: $50,000 and invitation to a virtual boot camp

• Deadline: June 20, 2025 at 5:00 pm

 

Honeycomb Celebration $2,500 Small Business Grant

• Description: "This grant is open to all small business owners and entrepreneurs, regardless of industry, location, or stage of business.” "Open nationwide to brick and mortar, online businesses, consultants, etc. who qualify."

• Award Range: $2,500

• Deadline: June 27, 2025 at 10:59 pm

 

StartOut Growth Lab

• Description: "StartOut Growth Lab is a startup accelerator that offers top-quality mentoring, education, and networking opportunities for companies. We will be selecting up to 10 companies for this 5-month-long virtual program that will begin on September 1, 2025. In order to apply to join StartOut Growth Lab (SGL), please fill out – or update – your founder application on the StartOut online community portal. Once you submit your founder application, you will be redirected to a dedicated page with additional questions specific to StartOut Growth Lab."

• Deadline: June 27, 2025

 

Vilcek Foundation (grant to support orgs who support immigrant artists)

• Description: “…invites applications for grants to support nonprofit organizations that work with immigrant artists and communities, and that promote diversity in the arts, sciences, education, and humanities.” Open nationwide and U.S. territories nonprofits with 501(c)3 status.

• Award Range: $5,000 and $20,000

• Deadline: June 30, 2025

 

Faire Small Business Grant Program 2025

• Description: “…small business grant program gives select new stores $5,000 to use on Faire to stock their shelves with amazing products.” “The grant is open to independent retail stores who are based in the US, and started their business in the last year, or plan to open this year.” Spring cycle is now open

• Award Range: $5,000 credit

• Deadline: June 30, 2025

 

Envisioning Justice Grants for Individuals

• Description: “These project-based grants support individuals such as educators, organizers, artists, and others who use the arts and humanities to work toward a truly just society. Research projects, podcasts, grassroots publications, and public performances are just a few of the impactful initiatives we fund to create understanding about mass incarceration and its impact on communities in Illinois.” “Based anywhere in Illinois; individuals from the following areas are particularly encouraged to apply: East St. Louis, Decatur, Carbondale, Galesburg, Urbana-Champaign, and the Bloomington-Normal Metro Area. However, applicants from anywhere in Illinois are eligible.”

• Award Range: Up to $5,000

• Deadline: June 30, 2025 at 5:00pm

 

Ignite Fund Grants

• Description: “…Grants for community centered, public-facing visual arts projects that represent experimental, unconventional, and accessible practices by Chicago-area artists and artist-led collectives”. Chicago area means “Current residents of the Chicago metropolitan area (Cook, DuPage, Kane, McHenry, Lake, and Will counties).”

• Award Range: $6,000

• Deadline: June 30, 2025, 11:59PM

 

Bank of America Charitable Foundation Philanthropic Strategy

• Description: This RPF is focused on Stable Housing and Empowering Communities. Open nationwide to 501(c)3 nonprofits in selected markets including Chicago, IL and St. Louis, MO/IL areas, and who are aligned with the funding priorities.

• Award Range: varies

• Deadline: June 30, 2025

 

Racial Equity Advancement and Defense Initiative (READI) Legal Support Fund: Call for Applications

• Description: “The Racial Equity Advancement and Defense Initiative (READI) Legal Support Fund, a fund hosted at the Tides Foundation, proudly invites your organization to submit an application for funding to support your response to legal and/or security threats aimed at reducing or eliminating your Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, racial equity, or racial justice grantmaking and/or programming.” Open nationwide to 501(c)3 nonprofits, wi

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