Funding Opportunities

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


 

AmeriCorps Notice of Funding Opportunities

AmeriCorps grants are awarded to eligible organizations, wanting to engage AmeriCorps members in evidence-based practices to strengthen communities. Grantees who were funded under AmeriCorps Formula Fixed Award through IDHS under CSFA are eligible to apply for the AmeriCorps Formula Fixed Funding Opportunity.  Current grantees who have an AmeriCorps Formula Traditional Award through IDHS under the Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA) must determine if they are in a continuation year or in a recompete year. Applications are due April 11, 2023. ACT Now will be holding a bidders conference webinar on March 22, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. Register here.

NEA Big Read Grant is Now Open!

Applications are now open for grants to support National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read projects between September 2023 and June 2024. The NEA Big Read annually provides support to selected nonprofit organizations to host community-wide reading programs. Matching grants range from $5,000 to $20,000 each.The Intent to Apply deadline is January 18, 2023

Field Foundation Grants Open!

The Field Foundation‘s Letter of Inquiry portal is open for Spring 2023 grant considerations. Complete their form by January 16, 2023.

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.
One-by-One Grant

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
Grant Archive

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 

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

BookSmart Grant for Afterschool Programming

Worldreader is accepting applications for its BookSmart grant which can be used on anything (staffing, print materials, supplies, etc.) to help offset costs organizations might incur while using digital books on BookSmart with families or on-site. Grants range from $5,000 to $7,500. The deadline to apply for this grant is March 24, 2023.

NOAA Planet Stewards Funding The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is soliciting applications from formal and informal educators to help them in carrying out hands-on stewardship projects with elementary through college-age students, as well as the general public. Grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded to eligible entities and focus areas include marine debris, habitat conservation and restoration, carbon footprint reduction, and carbon sequestration. Applications are due June 4, 2023.
Grant Opportunity for Chicago-based Arts Nonprofits The MacArthur Funds for Culture, Equity, and the Arts at the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation is offering a second cycle of grants to Chicago-based organizations that provide programming around the creative disciplines, and whose actual expenses in the most recently completed fiscal year were between $150,000 and $500,000. The application deadline is May 2, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. CST.
Federal Surplus Property
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 Grants

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


 

 

Youth Intervention Pathways RFP

The City of Chicago’s Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) Youth Services Division has announced the DFSS Youth Intervention Pathways RFP (RFQ # 9153). This Request for Proposals (RFP) requires coordination between community-based organizations and the Chicago Police Department in order to prevent youth aged 10-17 years old who have contact with law enforcement from entering or becoming more deeply involved in the criminal justice system by connecting them to resources and coordinated community services. The Youth Intervention Pathways RFP (RFQ # 9153) applications are due on January 6, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. A pre-proposal webinar will be held on December 9, 2022, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.  

Children’s Obesity Fund The Children’s Obesity Fund seeks to educate parents and children about the rising obesity rates in America, reverse the statistics and dangerous trends, and help prevent the next generation from continuing down this alarmingly unhealthy road. The fund would like to support non-profit organizations who share the goal of eliminating the epidemic of childhood obesity. The deadline to apply
Fuel Up to
Play 60

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

Chicago Resilient Communities Pilot Grant Program

Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the City of Chicago are launching the Chicago Resilient Communities Pilot, a $31.5 million dollar commitment to tackle poverty and put residents at the center of the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The selection process includes an open application and a citywide lottery to receive $500 per month for twelve months, with no strings attached. The application opens in April 2022. You may sign up for updates, here.
Outdoor and Indoor Environments    
Professional Development