Funding Opportunities for Providers
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
Restore, Reinvest, and Renew NOFO
The Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) is requesting proposals for grants applications for the Restore, Reinvest, and Renew (R3) Program. A total of $30 million in R3 funding is available through this grant line for use over 12 months. Applications are due April 30, 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
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
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.
