Funding Opportunities for Providers
2026 Early Childhood Block Grant (ECBG) RFP
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) recently announced that the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the FY2026 ECBG funds will be released electronically in the ISBE IWAS system. This includes Preschool for All, Preschool for All Expansion, and Prevention Initiative. Currently funded ECBG programs do not need to apply for this RFP to maintain their funding unless the entity wishes to apply for additional slots to expand their program. Eligible applicants must first complete an FY 2026 Notice of Intent to Apply to access the IWAS system and make an RFP submission. The intent to apply deadline is December 30, 2024. The list of entities that are eligible to apply can be found on the ISBE ECBG webpage.
Match General Operating Support for Recipients of Government Grants – People, Power and Policy
This grant is made available through the Chicago Community Trust and provides general operating grants to support organizations currently managing government grants. This funding can be used to support administrative and compliance costs that are not met by government funds. Grant awards will equal up to 10% of the total amount of the government grant for which match general operating support is requested, up to $50,000. Applications are due January 13, 2025. **Note that grants from the Trust’s endowment are limited to organizations based in or primarily serving Cook County.
FY25 After School Programs Grant Notice Of Funding Opportunity is Live!
Public Act 103-0006 appropriated $25 million for FY25 in General Revenue funds to provide the After School Programs Grant (ASP grant) to school districts and community-based organizations (CBOs) for afterschool programming and additional services offered outside of the traditional school day. The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) administers ASP grant funding. It is a two-part initiative in which school district grant allocations total $17 million out of the $25 million appropriated. Another $8 million is competitive grant allocations for non-school district applicants. The purpose of the funding is to:
- Improve academic outcomes for students.
- Provide opportunities for enrichment activities in a safe and healthy environment.
- Provide opportunities to strengthen public, private, and philanthropic partnerships so that quality support services are more durable for students facing the greatest challenges.
The After School Programs Grant was previously named the Healthy Community Investment Grant. Applications are due October 7, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. CST. For questions, please reach out to Nikki Gillani at gillanin@actnowillinois.org.
Transitioning Gang-Involved Youth to Higher Education Program
The U.S. Department of Education is calling for applications for this federal program. The purpose of the Transitioning Gang-Involved Youth to Higher Education (TGIY) Program is to provide a funding opportunity for organizations that work directly with gang-involved youth to help such youth pursue higher education opportunities that will lead to certification or credentials. Grantees will receive up to $950,000 in funds. To learn more, review the program in the Federal Register. The application is due September 30, 2024.
21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) RFP!
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is seeking applications from public or private entities to provide 21st CCLC services. The 21st CCLC program supports the creation of community learning centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours for children. As noted in the RFP document, ISBE reserves the right to determine the number of awards and the amount of the awards. No applicant will receive less than $50,000 or greater than $600,000, with individual awards not exceeding $150,000 per site. For FY25, ISBE is releasing $10 million in funds for the first year, with the grant cycle spanning a total of three years. The grant period will begin no sooner than July 1, 2024, and will extend from the execution date of the grant until June 30, 2025. ISBE indicated there is no opportunity for renewability. Further, ISBE is giving 5 priority points for “novice” organizations, or entities that have not received 21st CCLC funds since FY14.
Proposals must be submitted electronically through the ISBE Attachment Manager no later than 4:00 p.m. CDT on August 16, 2024.
NEW FY25 Reimagine Youth Development NOFO
The Illinois Department of Human Services’s (IDHS) Office of Firearm Violence Prevention (OFVP) is seeking to fund youth development organizations in specific community areas across Illinois, as designated in the Reimagine Public Safety Act (RPSA), to provide structured and unstructured programming to community youth. Programs will provide afterschool and summer learning opportunities to high-risk youth, ages 11-21, utilizing evidence-based and/or evidence-informed programming to improve youth outcomes and decrease risk factors associated with firearm violence. Programming may include civic engagement and leadership development, life skills development, and activities that promote positive educational outcomes, build social-emotional persistence and intelligence, develop non-academic interests, and reduce involvement in the justice system. Funding is for one year. Applications are due by noon on Wednesday, August 7, 2024. Access the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for further information.
The Illinois Department of Human Services is seeking applications from public or private not-for-profit organizations to provide community site Teen REACH services. Teen REACH is a youth development initiative that provides afterschool program services to high-risk youth between the ages of 6 and 17. The average award amount is between $90,000 to $360,000. Applications are due May 1, 2024.
Now is the time for high school seniors and returning college students to submit their 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. The FAFSA form is an application that students and families need to complete to apply for federal student aid. The revamped FAFSA form takes many students less than 20 minutes to complete and can unlock up to $7,395 in federal aid that does not need to be repaid!
Updated Funding Database for Out-of-School Time Providers
The Afterschool Alliance has updated its funding database for out-of-school time (OST) program providers. The opportunities can be filtered by state, grade level, program areas, and funding type (private versus government)!
COVID-19
Updates about American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding
The City of Chicago continues to update the community about ARPA grant opportunities and open Requests for Proposals. Email the Chicago Mayor’s Office of Community Engagement to be added to their email list.
General Funding Opportunities
Understanding TANF as a Funding Opportunity
The Afterschool Alliance is starting a series on funding and sustainability for afterschool and summer learning programs! This edition covers the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funding stream and the opportunities for using these funds to provide additional wraparound services for students and caregivers.
Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Grant!
Public school teachers in grades 6-12 are invited to apply by submitting their students’ projects for a chance at winning their school $100,000 in Samsung tech products and materials. The application deadline is October 24, 2024.
P. Buckley Moss Foundation Arts Grant
The P. Buckley Moss Foundation will be funding organizations with a grant of up to $1,000 for a project within schools serving all children (including students who have diverse learning needs), Pre-K–12, that integrates the arts. This grant opportunity aims to aid and support teachers who wish to establish or maintain an effective learning tool using the visual arts within the school day. The deadline to apply is September 30, 2024.
Association of American Educators Foundation Classroom Grant
The Association of American Educations Foundation grant provides up to $500 for Early Childhood and Pre-K-12 teachers for classroom programs, projects, or resources that will benefit students, classrooms, and/or the school community. Funding may be used to purchase books, software, calculators, math manipulatives, art supplies, audio-visual equipment, and lab materials. The deadline to apply is October 1, 2024.
All Kids Play Youth Sports Grants
All Kids Play provides funding to families and communities to pay for youth sports. Grants are available to qualifying families with kids in grades kindergarten to 12 and not-for-profit community-based recreational sports organizations in underserved areas. This is an ongoing funding opportunity.
Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Grant Program
The Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Grant Program provides Pre K-12 school districts and institutions with competitive grants to incorporate PLTW curricula into educators’ plans. PLTW focuses on creating transformative learning experiences for students so that they are able to develop in-demand knowledge and skill sets.
4Imprint is offering $500 in promotional products every business day to organizations in order to recruit volunteers, thank donors, offer comfort to someone in need or, in some other way, turn the grant into something much more. The deadline to apply is ongoing.
STEMfinity is a one-stop-STEM-shop that includes a state-specific STEM grant archive. Click here to access STEM grant opportunities in Illinois.
After School Advantage Program
The After School Advantage program is IGT’s flagship community initiative, devoted to providing young people with access to technology in a safe, nurturing afterschool environment, while promoting opportunities in digital learning centers in communities where the Company operates. Proposals are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. For more information, click here.
BOOST Cafe’s funding archive includes grants, scholarships, awards, and contests. Each opportunity is sorted by category, amount, grade level, and the deadline to apply.
Youth Development, Programming, & Activities
NextWaveSTEM + Pilot Equity Grant 2025: Upgrading Chicago’s STEM Education
NextWaveSTEM is excited to announce the Pilot Equity Grant for 2025, offering schools access to cutting-edge STEM kits and mentorship. Their turnkey solutions include standards-aligned curriculum, professional development, and course hardware with implementation support. Perfect for seamless integration in-school or after-school, with courses available in Spanish. Explore pathways like Robotics, Drone Coding, AI, and more. Feel free to download their grant application model here. To learn more email Partnerships Manager Michael Terrell at michael@nextwavestem.com.
The Springboard Foundation Fund Grant Cycle 2025 Is Open
The Springboard Foundation funds start-up afterschool programs across the City of Chicago. First-year grantees receive general operating fund grants between $3,500 and $7,500 plus capacity-building funds. Based on the results of the annual evaluation, the Springboard Foundation will increase the grant amount by $ 2,500 to $5,000 every year until graduation. Organizations applying for funding should meet the minimum guidelines. Applications are due February 2025.
Collaborative Heat Monitoring Community Science Projects
The Center for Collaborative Heat Monitoring is looking to award communities with $10,000 stipends for the co-development of a community-based heat data collection campaign. The center is asking interested entities to fill out an “Expression of Interest” form to opt in to further communications about the application process and the option to be paired with a “mentor” community that has completed a heat data collection campaign. For questions please contact: info@collaborativeheatmonitoring.org. The application opens on November 1, 2024.
Walking Softer: Empower Youth, Activate Change Grant
Walking Softer Education is soliciting applications from community-based organizations for grants of up to $2,000 for students to lead environmental projects. Through this opportunity, students engage in planning, designing, and implementing a community sustainability initiative. Educators who take students through the learning process will receive a stipend of $1,000. The deadline to apply is March 15, 2025.
Best Buy Foundation Grant Opportunity
The Best Buy Foundation is making grants available to Illinois providers who are interested in facilitating their Teen Tech Center curriculum in programming. The goal of this grant is to support students’ digital literacy through funding, providing devices, and embedding program staffers on-site.
The Improvement of Postsecondary Education Grant
The Transitioning Gang-Involved Youth to Higher Education (TGIY) Program provides funding opportunities for organizations that work directly with gang-involved youth to help such youth pursue higher education opportunities that will lead to certification. The U.S. Department of Education is the administering agency. The award ceiling for individual grants is $950,000. The deadline to apply is October 30, 2024.
Out-of-school time programs are eligible to receive Federal Surplus Property at a very low cost. Federal Surplus Property includes electronics, instruments, office furniture, kitchen supplies, lawn and garden supplies, heavy equipment, tools and more. Property is available in the program’s warehouse in Springfield, as well as from around the country.
NextWaveSTEM: Equity STEM Grant
In partnership with Chicagoland corporations, NextWave STEM is soliciting applications for its new “Equity in Education” grant for pilot programs. Pilot programs allow schools and afterschool providers to integrate STEM programming in robotics, 3D technology, drones and coding, and artificial intelligence at a fraction of the price.
NextWaveSTEM is offering grants to bring its hands-on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs to more Illinois youth than ever. These grants will support 50 schools in accessing NextWaveSTEM programs through curriculum, teacher training, and equipment to start STEM in-school or afterschool programs. Applications are being accepted on an ongoing basis. To learn more, click here.
Chicago Racial Justice Pooled Fund: Request for Proposals Open
Chicago Racial Justice Pooled Fund (the Fund) is soliciting Request for Proposals (RFPs) from Chicago-based organizations that work to support and empower the social, economic and political goals of Black, Indigenous, and Brown communities. The Fund is comprised of thirteen foundations that aim to raise and move $3 million to organizations building and sustaining movements for justice that center Black lives and address anti-Blackness. To submit an RFP and to learn more, click here.
Safety, Health, & Nutrition
Local Food for Schools Funding Period Extended
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agriculture Marketing Service approved ISBE’s request for a one-year extension for Local Food for Schools (LFS) funding. Illinois now has until January 31st, 2026, to use up the current LFS funding. Any schools that are interested in learning more or signing up must view the recorded training module.
2025 Subawards to Establish New Restorative Justice Programs
The National Center on Restorative Justice (NCORJ) seeks to support the development of new restorative justice programs or the expansion of existing restorative justice programs. Awardees will receive $250,000 in sub-award funding to support restorative justice program implementation. Awardees will also receive a three-day in-person implementation training tailored to their programmatic needs and have monthly check-in calls to review case referrals and support case processes with the Center for Justice Innovation (CJI). Applications are due February 14th, 2025 and an informational webinar will be held December 10th, 2024, at noon ET.
2025 Patrick Leahy Farm-to-School Grants
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) requests for applications (RFAs) for the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program are now open. This year the RFA has been split into three separate solicitations and applicants may decide which grant track best suits their project.
State Grant Opportunities for Violence Prevention and Community Violence Intervention
On November 4, 2025, the Government Alliance for Safe Communities (GASC) announced that City, County, and State government partners will receive up to $100 million in grants to sustain and scale critical community violence intervention (CVI) programming across Chicago and the state of Illinois. Granting agencies include the Illinois Department of Human Services, the City of Chicago Mayor’s Office, Cook County offices, the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, and the Chicago Department of Public Health. Learn more about what grants are available to community-based organizations and youth-serving agencies.
Breakfast After the Bell Program Grant for Schools
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is soliciting grant applications for the Breakfast After the Bell Program. This program is open to public schools in Illinois. School districts, charter schools, and ROEs are eligible. Each entity must be eligible and approved to operate federal School Nutrition Programs. Grant awards are up to $7,000 per eligible school. The application deadline is November 14, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. CST.
Healthier Kids For Our Future Mental Health Grant
The goal of the Cigna Foundation is to supplement existing mental health programming and help close gaps both within and outside the school environment to address loneliness, anxiety, and depression. They fund programs that foster collaboration between stakeholders to address mental health and emotional well-being challenges for children. This grant opportunity is ongoing.
Fuel Up to Play 60 is accepting applications for funds that can be used to conduct programs in schools focused on creating a healthier school and to implement Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Plays. Funds can also be used for professional development, nutrition education materials, and physical education equipment & materials. The deadline to apply is ongoing. To learn more, click here.
Breakfast After the Bell | Rise & Shine Illinois (riseandshineillinois.org)
Rise and Shine Illinois will award up to $5,000 per school to support and enhance initiatives facilitating Breakfast After the Bell delivery models. Grants are to be used to purchase approved equipment, materials, and supplies.
Family and Community Partnerships
Northwestern University’s Racial Equity & Community Partnership Grants
Northwestern University Office of Neighborhood and Community Relations has opened applications for its Racial Equity and Community Partnership Grants program. This grant aims to support partnerships between community-based organizations and Northwestern University representatives that work towards making our communities fairer and more equitable. The LOI must be completed by January 24th, 2025.
Grant to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities
This Department of Education grant aims to help education institutions and nonprofit organizations address state-identified needs for personnel preparation in special education, early intervention, related services, and regular education for children, including infants and toddlers, with disabilities. The maximum a grantee may receive is $1,050,000. The deadline to apply for these federal funds is November 22, 2024.
Arts Grant Opportunity for Individuals
The Illinois Arts Council (IAC) is releasing the Creative Accelerator Fund (CAF). As part of IAC’s Bold New Changes, this grant opportunity provides crucial support to artists to strengthen the creative workforce in Illinois’ economy. The deadline to apply is November 20, 2024.
Birth to Five Illinois Engagement Subcontracts
Birth to Five Illinois is now accepting proposals from Local Early Childhood Collaborations for a total of $3 million in subcontracts to complete activities like conducting outreach to families with children from birth to age five to share resources and engage in programming.
Community Engagement Grants in Music
The MTNA Foundation is soliciting applications from organizations looking to engage communities in making music, appreciating music, or attending live music events. Grants will be awarded up to $750. The deadline to apply is May 1, 2025.
Community Service Project Sweepstakes Opportunity
Share My Lesson and Education+ are soliciting applications for its sweepstakes to help realize Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy by providing service-learning opportunities across the United States. Individuals entering will earn a chance to win a grand prize grant of $1,000 for their service project. Two runner-up winners will get a $500 grant and a Realize the Dream gift pack (posters, stickers, curriculum guides). And, five third-place winners each receive a $250 grant. The deadline to enter is September 3, 2024.
| MOPD Diverse Learners Recovery Fund for Students with Disabilities The City of Chicago’s Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) and the Ada S. McKinley Community Services, Inc., have come together to develop the Diverse Learners Recovery Fund. This fund aims to aid families of students with disabilities impacted by COVID-19. The fund is a lottery-style grant drawing, offering a one-time cash grant of $500 to eligible students with disabilities. Up to 8,000 individuals will be selected through the lottery to receive the grant. Applying for the grant will not guarantee that you will receive the funds. Eligibility requirements:Reside in the City of ChicagoHousehold Income < 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)Student currently enrolled in a K-12 Public or Private SchoolStudent has a Disability covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)The deadline to apply is October 30, 2024. For questions, email MOPD@adasmckinley.org or visit the Frequently Asked Questions section of the website. |
