Funding Opportunities: 

• DCEO (few highlighted below)
  • 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.” 
    • Eligibility Includes: “Eligible entities for this NOFO are defined as Regional Offices of Education (ROEs); Intermediate Service Centers (ISCs); state institutions of higher education; schools designated as laboratory schools, public university laboratory schools approved by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE); area vocational centers; charter schools; cooperatives and other joint agreements with a governing body or board of control; schools operated by an ROE, ISC, or state agency; and school districts eligible applicants include, but are not limited to industry associations, Regional Offices of Education (ROEs); Intermediate Service Centers (ISCs); community-based organizations, including faith-based organizations; or Indian tribes or tribal organizations (as defined in the federal Indian Self[1]Determination and Education Assistance Act). Entities that are approved shall be responsible for ensuring that they have facilities available and educators who are appropriately trained on use of any technologies or devices acquired for the purposes of the grant. Collaborative applications will be accepted. Eligible Applicants must partner with a Community College, a Local Workforce Innovation Area, and employers to pilot clean the energy pathway programs.”
    • Award Range: $250,000 - $750,000
    • Deadline: June 30, 2025 at 5:00pm
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  • 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.”
    • Eligibility Includes: “Applicants must be a diversity-focused community organizations that have a record of successfully delivering job training and also meet the specific eligibility criteria listed in Section A of this NOFO. Only entities that meet the requirements of the application categories and properly operate in accordance with Federal, State, and local law, in the state of Illinois, may submit a proposal for consideration.”
    • Award Range: $500,000 - $1,000,000
    • Deadline: July 1, 2025, 5:00PM
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  • 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.”
    • Eligibility Includes: “Applicants must be an organization that has a record of successfully delivering job training and also meet the specific eligibility criteria listed in section A of this NOFO and properly operate in accordance with Federal, State, and local law, in the state of Illinois, may submit a proposal for consideration.”
    • Award Range: varies
    • Deadline: July 1, 2025, at 11:59PM
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  • Illinois Grocery Initiative - Equipment Upgrade Program (Round 2) (Notice of Funding Opportunity 3295-2956)
    • 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. 
    • Eligibility includes:
      • “Grants will be limited to projects making energy-efficient investments in existing bricks[1]and-mortar operations in Illinois. 
      • This grant opportunity will be limited to independently-owned grocers or cooperatives with fewer than 500 employees and no more than 4 grocery stores. 
      • Grocery locations must be consistent with the following to be eligible:
        • The store is or will be classified as a supermarket or other grocery retailer in the 2022 North American Industry Classification System under code 445110, a meat retailer under code 44524, a fruit and vegetable retailer under code 44523, or a fish and seafood retailer under 44525. 
        • The store cannot derive more than 30% of its revenue from alcohol and tobacco sales.
        • The store must accept or will accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children benefits.
        • The store must contribute to diversity of fresh foods available in the community by selling fresh foods such as meats, fruits and vegetables that have not been processed in any manner”
    • Award Range: $25,000 - $250,000
    • Deadline: December 15, 2025 at 5:00PM or until funds are exhausted (applications accepted on rolling basis) 
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  • For a complete list of DCEO grants, please visit our website.

• Additional DCEO funding

• Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
  • Description: “Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to support income eligible households with utility costs. LIHEAP will begin accepting applications on October 1, 2024, through August 15, 2025, or until funds are exhausted.”
  • Deadline: August 15, 2025
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• Additional State of Illinois

• Illinois Environmental Protection Agency - Energy Efficiency Assessment Program
  • Description: “The Energy Efficiency Assessment Program provides funding to public housing authorities, local governments, or nonprofit organizations to conduct energy efficiency assessments at properties benefiting residents receiving housing assistance from a state or federal program.”
  • Award Range: $5,000 to $25,000
  • Deadline: No specified due date. Note this has been open for a while. 
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  • The Illinois Arts Council’s (IAC) Creative Learning Grants for Schools (CLGS)
    • Description: “The Illinois Arts Council’s (IAC) Creative Learning Grants for Schools (CLGS) supports arts learning opportunities in Illinois schools. The goal of this grant is to enable schools to acquire supplies, materials, equipment, or services from Illinois artists or arts organizations that are needed to address student needs for arts learning opportunities. K-12 School districts, public schools, and charter schools are eligible to apply…”
    • Award Range: up to $20,000
    • Deadline: Thursday, May 29, at 11:59pm
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  • Illinois Community Canopy Grants – in association with Illinois Department of Natural Resources and partners
    • Title: Community Tree Planting Grants 
    • Description: “Trees Forever’s Illinois Community Canopy grant program funds tree planting projects that diversify the tree canopy in eligible Illinois communities. Projects may include planting trees in public areas such as; along streets, trails, community entryways, at schools, public buildings, cemeteries, parks and more.”
    • Award Range: $3,000 to $15,000
    • Deadline: June 1, 2025
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  • Title: Inventory and Management Plan Funding 
  • Description: “The purpose of this funding opportunity is to provide eligible local governments the opportunity to develop current tree inventories and a management plan which includes components to improve canopy in qualifying areas, as well as engage in management activities based on the inventory.”
  • Award Range: up to $25,000
  • Deadline: June 1, 2025
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  • Title: Tree Removal Funding 
  • Description: “Eligible communities must have Tree City USA designation. These competitive grants pay for tree removal of dead, dying, or damaged trees by a certified professional. Communities can then be eligible for a tree planting grant to replace trees that are removed.”
  • Award Range: up to $25,000
  • Deadline: June 1, 2025

• Local Governments

• 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”
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  • 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.)
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  • Jo Daviess County Small Business Development Grant
    • Description: “Eligible applicants include any [Jo Daviess County]-based or to be based private sector small business retailer, manufacturer, service provider, wholesaler, those in the hospitality industry, along with farmers and food processors.”
    • Award Range: up to $25,000
    • Deadline: May 30, 2025 

• 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

• Private/Community Resources 

• 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

• A Road Together
  • Description: ““A Road Together” (ART) is a grantmaking partnership between the Field Foundation and the MacArthur Foundation. It is designed specifically for small and mid-sized arts and culture organizations with annual operating budgets up to $1 million. ART is rooted in the belief that the arts are vital to Chicago’s identity, economy, and social fabric. Through the ART partnership, the Field and MacArthur foundations support grant recipients in creating opportunities for more Chicagoans to dream and flourish through a vibrant and sustainable creative ecosystem.”
  • Award Range: $10,000 - $100,000
  • Deadline: May 16, 2025

• 2025 Amazon Literary Partnership Grant
  • Description: “Applicants must be a registered nonprofit organization in the U.S., whose core mission is to develop emerging writers, support diversity, celebrate storytelling, and/or build authors’ careers. Organizations should be structurally and financially sound; display energy, passion, and reach; have an online presence and an enthusiastic membership or readership.”
  • Award Range: $5,000 to $20,000
  • Deadline: May 18, 2025

• National Pride Grant for LGBTQIA+ Small Businesses
  • Description: Open nationwide to individuals who identify as a LGBTQIA+ business owner, based in the U.S., with a minimum of 1 year in business, between 2 to 100 employees and have less than an annual revenue that does not exceed $5 million. 
  • Award Range: $1,000
  • Deadline: May 20, 2025

• Amazon Business Small Business Grant Contest
  • Description: Open nationwide to: 
    • “Existing Amazon Business Customer
    • Business must be self-owned by a US resident with headquarter location in US and must be 18 years or older
    • Have an annual revenue of less than or equal to $1,000,000
    • One entry per Amazon Business account. In case of multiple entries, only the first entry will be accepted.
    • Completed application in full and have reviewed the terms and conditions. Terms and conditions could be found above the prizes.
    • Must have purchased on Amazon Business within the 12 months preceding May 1, 2025.”
  • Award Range: $15,000 - $25,000
  • Deadline: May 23, 2025

• Nearshored Manufacturing Grant
  • Description: Open to “Businesses with under $5M in annual revenue, producing a physical product, and actively looking to nearshore manufacturing. Applicants must also be based in the U.S.” 
  • Award Range: $5,000
  • Deadline: May 28, 2025

• DoorDash Restaurant Disaster Relief
  • Description: “…DoorDash has partnered with Hello Alice to create the Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund. The fund supports restaurants impacted by natural disasters, severe weather events, or major infrastructure failures…” Open nationwide to “a restaurant, gastropub or bakery with a brick & mortar location that has experienced a loss in revenue as a direct result of a natural disaster, severe weather event, or major infrastructure failure which occurred within the last 12 months”, been opened at least 6 months, “Own a maximum of three locations, and employ fewer than 50 employees per location”, and “Have revenues of $3M or less per location in the last 12 months.”
  • Award Range: $10,000
  • Deadline: Spring Round due May 30, 2025 at 5pm 

• Fund Her Future 2025 Grant from Block Advisors by H&R Block
  • Description: “Presented by Block Advisors by H&R Block, in partnership with Hello Alice, the Fund Her Future grant is here to fuel your ambition.” Open nationwide to small businesses who have been operating since, at least, January 1, 2024, have a minimum revenue of $20,000, have no more than 20 employees, etc. 
  • Award Range: $10,000 - $50,000
  • Deadline: May 30, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.

• Seeding the Future Grant
  • Description: “Seeding the Future Grants are general operating funds awarded for one year to organizations with proposals that align with Deaconess’ intended impact. Funding supports organizational and civic infrastructure expansion, advancement of public policies, and/or efforts impacting systems transformation through an intergenerational approach for the improved health and wellness of people in Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois [Madison, St. Clair, and Monroe Counties in Illinois].”
  • Award Range: $20,000
  • Deadline: May 30, 2025

• Impact Grant – Nonprofit Grant
  • Description: “All registered nonprofit organizations in Canada and the USA are encouraged to apply for an IMPACT Grant. In the USA, your organization should hold a 501c3 status, while in Canada, it must be a registered charity recognized by the CRA (Canada Revenue Agency).” “…every organization, regardless of size or sector, has the potential to make a meaningful impact. Our commitment is to facilitate this impact through grants of $1,000, fostering innovation, sustainability, and social responsibility.”
  • Award Range: $1,000
  • Deadline: May 31, 2025

• UpTide – A nonprofit Accelerator by 92NY
  • Description: “UpTide will serve a cohort of five nonprofit leaders (Executive Directors / Presidents / CEOs) from diverse, community-building organizations looking to significantly scale the impact of their programs. To serve nonprofits nationwide, this program will be conducted in a hybrid format, with all sessions in 2025 held virtually. An in-person program conclusion will be held in New York City in January 2026.” “UpTide participants must be 18 years of age or older and be in a full-time role as the Executive Director / President / CEO of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in the U.S.”
  • Award Range: $5,000 upon completing the program
  • Deadline: June 2, 2025

• eBay Up & Running Grant
  • Description: “In partnership with Hello Alice, this initiative empowers eBay business sellers to stay up and running and grow with confidence. Whether you’re looking to expand your product line, streamline your operations, or invest in the tools needed to take your business to the next level, this grant is here to help.” Open nationwide to businesses actively selling on eBay, “Rated “Above Standard” or “Top Rated” on eBay,” and etc. 
  • Award Range: $10,000 and “$500 stipend to purchase essential technology from eBay Refurbished”
  • Deadline: June 6, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.

• Jobber Grants – Home Service Businesses 
  • Description: “Home service businesses provide a one time or recurring install, repair, maintenance, or mobile services to clients at residential or commercial properties. Examples include landscaping, residential and commercial cleaning, contracting, painting, HVAC, plumbing, pool maintenance, mobile car detailing, etc.” Open nationwide. 
  • Award Range: $10,000
  • Deadline: June 11, 2025

• Old National Bank Foundation
  • Description: “…grant applications from nonprofit organizations serving communities located within our banking footprint. Nonprofits must have obtained recognition of tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) as a public charity under Code 509(a) 1, 2, or 3 and in good standing. If an organization is exempt under Section 509(a)(3), it must be Type I or Type II.” “Our funding targets innovative programs that enhance the quality of life within our communities in support of the following four strategic initiatives: Affordable Housing, Workforce Development, Economic Development, and Financial Empowerment. We prioritize programs that serve underrepresented communities and low- to moderate-income people.”
  • Award Range: average grant is $15,000
  • Deadline: June 11, 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

• Saks Fifth Avenue Foundation Local Grant Application
  • Description: “The Saks Fifth Avenue Foundation is proud to support leading mental health initiatives whose scale and technology bring access to care, awareness and education to communities nationwide. We also recognize that local, community-based organizations are critical in offering support to the health and wellbeing of those they serve. For the fourth year, we are proud to renew our fund to support ten U.S.-based, local organizations serving the mental health of those in need with the Saks Fifth Avenue Foundation Local Grant Program. Qualifying non-profits are invited to submit a short proposal for a grant to fund their work.”
  • Award Range: $10,000 to $30,000
  • Deadline: July 1, 2025