Available Grants
Current Grants:
Closed Grants:
Description:
Tourism attractions can apply for grants ranging from $15,000-$200,000 offered by the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO).
Deadline: November 3, 2025 at 5 p.m.
Visit the DCEO website for more information about applying, including video training and other helpful resources to complete your application.
Description:
Tourism organizations and businesses in the private sector can apply for DCEO grants ranging from $10,000-$50,000.
Deadline: November 3, 2025 at 5 p.m.
Visit the DCEO website for more information about applying, including video training and other helpful resources to complete your application.
Description:
The DCEO's Marketing Partnership Program offers marketing grants ranging from $10k,000-$100,000.
Deadline: November 3, 2025 at 5 p.m.
Visit the DCEO website for more information about applying, including video training and other helpful resources to complete your application.
Description:
This grant program provides financial support for Route 66 businesses, including helping businesses open, reopen, stay in operation, or expand.
Eligibility:
- Must be physically located on a Route 66 alignment (i.e., a “brick-and-mortar” location) and/or operate in a Route 66 neighborhood or community.
- Employ fewer than 20 full-time employees (including the company owners)
- Must be a registered business entity in good standing in the state where they were formed and the state in which they do business
- Independently travel the road, serving other businesses/attractions along Route 66, including, for example: small tour operators, suppliers with Route 66 as their sales region, etc.
- Must be small, locally-owned franchises with five or fewer locations
Deadline: September 29, 2025
Get more information here.
Description:
Provide financial support for Illinois artists, eligible not-for-profit organizations, municipal entities, or colleges and universities.
Eligibility:
- Individual Artists and Arts Educators that are 21 years or older and have been established as an Illinois resident for a minimum of one year. Individuals may not be currently enrolled in a degree-obtaining program, including a college or university in any undergraduate or graduate program. Ph.D. candidates need to have completed their coursework by the application deadline to be eligible.
- Registered 501(c)(3) Not-For-Profit Organizations in good standing with the Office of the Illinois Secretary of State
- Branches of Government Entities (e.g., Municipal, County, Libraries, Park Districts, etc.)
Deadlines:
- Open deadline until funds are expended.
Get more information here.
Description:
The Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund, created by DoorDash in partnership with Hello Alice, provides financial support to restaurants, gastropubs, and bakeries impacted by natural disasters, severe weather events, or major infrastructure failures.
Eligibility:
- Brick-and-mortar restaurants, gastropubs, or bakeries that experienced a loss in revenue due to a natural disaster, severe weather, or infrastructure failure within the last 12 months.
- Must have been open for at least 6 months.
- Operate no more than three locations.
- Employ fewer than 50 employees per location.
- Have revenues of $3 million or less per location in the past 12 months
Deadlines:
- Winter Round: Applications due March 3, 2025, at 5 PM.
- Spring Round: Applications due May 30, 2025, at 5 PM.
Get more information here
Small Business Capital and Infrastructure Grant Program
(Notice of Funding Opportunity 2160-2940)
Description:
Provides grants to businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals (SEDI) or very small businesses (VSBs) to support capital improvement projects. The program aims to help eligible businesses achieve sustainable growth, improve efficiency, and create and retain jobs.
Eligibility:
- Businesses owned by Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Individuals (SEDI) with a maximum of 25 full-time permanent employees
- Very Small Businesses (VSBs), defined as businesses with fewer than 10 employees
- Applicants must be prequalified to apply (e.g., registered with sam.gov, GATA, etc.)
Award Range:
$10,000 - $245,000
Deadline:
April 7, 2025, at 5:00 PM
Presentations:
- Virtual Presentation (English): January 14, 2025, at 11:00 AM (Register Here)
- Virtual Presentation (Spanish): January 14, 2025, at 2:00 PM (Register Here)
The NOFO page contains all required submission documents and helpful resources.
Asphalt Art Initiative Grant
Agency: Bloomberg Philanthropies
Type: Grant
Funding Range: Up to $100,000
Total Awards: 10 cities will be selected
Additional Support: On-call technical assistance and evaluation support
Eligibility:
Open to cities with populations of 50,000 or more
Deadlines:
January 31, 2025
Get more information here
Agency: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO)
Contact: Greg Mihalich ([email protected])
Type: Grant
Funding Opportunity Number: FY25-1
Funding Range: $15,000 - $200,000
Total Funding: $1,708,809
Cost Sharing: 1:1 match required, with up to 25% in-kind contributions allowed
Indirect Costs: Not allowed
Key Dates:
- Application Period: 11/04/2024 - 12/20/2024 (5:00 PM)
- Technical Assistance Session: 11/26/2024, 9:00 AM (Register Here)
Eligibility:
- Open to Illinois not-for-profits, municipalities, local, promotion groups, and for-profits
- Projects should increase tourism and economic growth in Illinois
Agency: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO)
Contact: Greg Mihalich ([email protected])
Type: Grant
Funding Opportunity Number: FY25-1
Funding Range: $10,000 - $50,000
Total Funding: $600,000
Cost Sharing: 1:1 match from private sector, up to 25% in-kind
Indirect Costs: Not allowed
Key Dates:
- Application Period: 11/04/2024 - 12/20/2024 (5:00 PM)
- Technical Assistance Session: 11/26/2024, 11:00 AM (Register Here)
Eligibility:
- Open to Illinois not-for-profits, for-profits, counties, municipalities, and local promotion groups
- Projects should boost local tourism and economic impact
Application Requirements:
- Uniform Grant Application, Budget, Conflict of Interest Disclosure, and Program Narrative
- Minimum 60 points required for funding consideration
Illinois Arts Council's Creative Accelerator Fund
The Illinois Arts Council’s (IAC) Creative Accelerator Fund (CAF) provides crucial support to artists with a goal of strengthening the creative workforce that composes a significant portion of Illinois’ economic activity. CAF recognizes and supports the vital role that artists play as builders and innovators in their communities. By investing in their practice and professional growth, the fund not only enriches the lives of artists but also encourages broader community engagement and investment, leading to a vibrant cultural landscape and fostering connections among residents.
This is a $10,000 taxable award. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, November 20, 2024. All applications must be submitted via the applicant's IAC Salesforce account.
Eligibility Requirements
- Individual artists with an active and sustained practice. (see full definition page 5 of the guidelines)
- At the time of application artists must:
- Be age 21 or older.
- Be established as an Illinois resident prior to November 20, 2023.
- Be able to include a work sample created by you during 2022-2024.
- Be able to include a work sample created by you during 2021, or prior.
- Not be currently enrolled full-time at a college or university in any undergraduate or graduate program. Ph.D. candidates need to have completed their course work by the application deadline to be eligible.
Creative Accelerator Fund Application Webinar
During this webinar, IAC staff discuss application tips and best practices including how to use the agency’s online Salesforce grant platform. Click the link below to register for the webinar. A webinar recording is now available.
Landmarks Illinois Donnelley Preservation Fund for Illinois
The Barbara C. and Thomas E. Donnelley II Preservation Fund for Illinois provides monetary assistance to preserve or protect significant structures and sites in Illinois. Eligible beneficiaries include significant structures or sites in Illinois that are under threat of demolition, in imminent deterioration, in need of stabilization, in need of structural or re-use evaluation, or need to be evaluated for landmark eligibility. Landmarks Illinois manages the fund, which was established in 2013.
Donnelley Preservation Fund grants are awarded for planning activities and education efforts focused on preservation. Projects may include engineering, architectural and feasibility studies; legal services; surveys and National Register of Historic Places nominations; and/or preservation ordinance support.
Planning:
Support for obtaining professional expertise in areas such as architecture, archaeology, engineering, preservation planning, land-use planning and law. Eligible planning activities include, but are not limited to:
- Hiring a preservation architect or landscape architect to produce a historic structure report or historic landscape master plan
- Hiring a preservation planner to produce design guidelines for a historic district
- Hiring a real estate development consultant to produce an economic feasibility study for the reuse of a threatened structure
Sponsoring a community forum to develop a shared vision for the future of a historic neighborhood
Education and Outreach:
Support for preservation education activities aimed at the public with particular interest in programs aimed at reaching new audiences. Funding will be provided to projects that employ innovative techniques and formats aimed at introducing new audiences to the preservation movement.
Grants are awarded two times a year. Deadlines are April 1 and October 1.
Landmarks Illinois Preservation Heritage Fund Grant Program
Landmarks Illinois’ Preservation Heritage Fund grants are intended to provide monetary assistance to significant structures or sites in Illinois that are under threat of demolition, in imminent deterioration, in need of stabilization, in need of structural or re-use evaluation, or need to be evaluated for landmark eligibility. The Preservation Heritage Fund was established in 2004. (Photo: Glidden Homestead, Dekalb)
Preservation Heritage Fund grants fund the following project types:
- Engineering, architectural, and feasibility studies
- Stabilization
- Legal services
- Surveys and National Register Nominations
- Preservation ordinance support
Grants are awarded two times a year. Deadlines are April 1 and October 1.
Starved Rock Country Community Foundation - Women Inspired Network Grants
The Women Inspired Network (WIN) Grant is available once each year. Applications are accepted in September and the grant is awarded in November at the annual WIN Gala. The deadline to apply is Monday, September 30, 2024.
The funds for the awards are contributed by members and friends of WIN throughout the year and are then awarded through a competitive grant process. Applications for grant funding are available each year in September and can be submitted by any non-profit organization with a mission that includes empowering women and children to lead their best lives.
Applications for funding will be reviewed by the WIN Grant Review Team and finalists will present their case for support at a WIN meeting held in October. All members are encouraged to attend, and guests are welcome. Grant funding will be awarded at the annual Celebration of Giving in early December.
The Women Inspired Network, comprised of women throughout LaSalle, Bureau and Putnam Counties, has awarded more than $97,000 in the past eight years to local charitable organizations who support and enhance the lives of women and children in our region.
Illinois EPA Public Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
Round Two of grants to fund the purchase and installation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure at publicly accessible locations are now available. This opportunity is funded by the Rebuild Illinois capital plan and authorized under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA).
Each application must include a minimum of two publicly accessible charging station locations. See the Notice of Funding Opportunity for funding amounts, power levels, and number of charging ports per location.
Additional points will be awarded to projects at a charging station location in an area identified as an Equity Investment Eligible Community through the EIEC mapping tool. Communities qualify for the additional points if they are in an EJ and/or an R3 Community, as identified using the EIEC mapping tool. Applicants will also receive additional points for applying to build chargers at public transportation park-and-ride facilities.
Eligible applicants include units of local government and private organizations (including sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, and limited liability companies) that are incorporated under Illinois law and registered and in good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State. Eligible applicants must be the owner of a proposed charging station location and/or the owner of the proposed charging station. Both Level 3 DC Fast Charging and Level 2 charging ports are eligible for funding.
All required forms and information can be found on the Driving A Cleaner Illinois webpage. Applications for the Driving a Cleaner Illinois – Climate and Equitable Jobs Act EV Charging NOFO will be accepted through 5:00 PM (CST) on May 10, 2024. All applicants must pre-qualify and apply through the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act Grantee Portal.
B2B Grants for Local Chambers
The Back to Business (B2B) Local Chambers program provides recovery grants for local chambers of commerce. Eligible local chambers of commerce are eligible to apply for $5 million in available grant funding as part of our efforts to support ongoing recovery from the negative economic impact from the COVID-19 pandemic. All applicants will receive a grant as long as they meet eligibility requirements, and submit proper documentation and attestations required by the program.
The program design for Back to Business (B2B) Local Chambers program is based on legislation which established the Local Chambers of Commerce Recovery Grants Program (20 ILCS 605/605-1105).
Applications will be accepted from January 11th, 2024 until 5:00 p.m. February 15, 2024. DCEO encourages applicants to familiarize themselves with program eligibility requirements and other program details prior to applying.
DCEO will be hosting a statewide information kick-off session on the date below via WebEx
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM Thursday, January 18, 2024
Apply for the Back to Business (B2B) Local Chambers grant
Route 66 Extraordinary Women Micro-Grant
The Route 66 Extraordinary Women Micro-Grant Program provides critical and flexible funding to businesses and attractions located along Route 66 that are majority women-owned or operated.
In addition to direct fundraising efforts undertaken by the Road Ahead, the Route 66 Extraordinary Women Micro-Grant Program is funded in part by a grant from the Preserve Route 66 Grant Fund of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
The next round of The Route 66 Extraordinary Women Micro-Grant Program will begin February 2, 2024. Program guidelines, criteria, and applications will be accessible at: https://roadahead.route66centennial.org/. Up to 10 grant awards, of $2,000 each, will be given made in this next round of the program.
Established in 2016, with the support of the National Park Service and the World Monuments' Fund, The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership’s mission is to revitalize and sustain Route 66 as a national and international icon through partnerships focused on promotion, preservation, research and education, and economic development.
The Program is one in a series of “birthday gifts” to be given to Route 66 in the years leading up to the historic road’s one-hundredth birthday in 2026.
Job Training and Economic Development Program (JTED)
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced an additional $13 million investment in the Job Training and Economic Development Program (JTED) for workforce training and wrap-around services that will bolster equitable workforce recovery for Illinoisans struggling to gain meaningful employment. As part of Illinois’ workforce recovery efforts, JTED grants focus on helping increase employment among workers and industries hardest hit by COVID-19. Grantees will be selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process.
In the second round of the program, JTED will address the economic impacts experienced by employers and individuals who are underemployed, unemployed, or underrepresented, including youth who have one or more barriers to employment which are identified as risk factors. Priority populations include immigrants and refugees, justice-involved individuals, and rural residents.
JTED funding will continue to focus on hard hit sectors which have seen a labor shortage since the onset of the pandemic – such as manufacturing, agriculture, information technology, transportation distribution and logistics, architecture and construction, healthcare, and hospitality and tourism.
The State’s JTED model boosts access to education, training and support services needed for vulnerable residents to successfully re-enter the labor force. Additionally, JTED offers flexible funding through Barrier Reduction services for individuals that have emergency costs for basic needs.
Eligible applicants include employers, private nonprofit organizations, federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act administrative entities, Community Action Agencies, industry associations, and public or private educational institutions that have demonstrated expertise and effectiveness in administering workforce development programs.
Eligible entities can apply for grants between $250,000 to $750,000. Applications will be accepted until January 10 at 5:00 p.m.
To view the NOFO and apply for the grant, please visit the DCEO website. To help applicants prepare to apply for funding, DCEO will be holding a webinar from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on December 13. Interested parties are also encouraged to reach out to [email protected] for application assistance.
Through the first round of the JTED program, the State of Illinois invested $20 million in 44 community-based organizations that are currently serving nearly 1,900 unemployed, underemployed, or underrepresented Illinoisans, with a special training focus on industries hardest-hit by the pandemic.
$25 Million Available in B2B Grants for New Businesses
Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today announced $25 million in available grant funding through the Back to Business (B2B) NewBiz program. Following state recovery programming for businesses totaling $1.5 billion, the latest American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)-funded opportunity is designed to provide additional support for businesses in hard-hit sectors who launched during the pandemic. Businesses that launched in 2020 or 2021 and remain in operation have faced significant impacts during the pandemic, but they have not been eligible for other federal or state relief programming since they were not operational prior to the pandemic.
To provide hands-on support and raise awareness about the program, the State has mobilized a network of nearly 100 community navigators across Illinois. Applicants are encouraged to visit b2bnewbiz.com to learn more and apply.
Applications are open from November 30 through January 11, 2024, and awards are expected to be made several weeks after the deadline date. All eligible applicants will receive a grant as long as the business meets eligibility requirements and submits proper documentation and attestations.
DCEO has enlisted a robust network of nearly 100 community navigators to conduct outreach and provide technical assistance in the hardest hit communities. Community navigators will be conducting outreach, hosting webinars, and supporting prospective applicants to prepare before the application opens on November 30. This is in addition to available small business support available through Illinois’ network of Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs).
In order to manage a high volume of applications in a timely manner, DCEO has enlisted a program administrator – Lendistry – to support with application review, provide technical portal support for applicants, manage the development of the application portal and provide support in processing payments.
Eligibility, Application, and Awards
To qualify for the B2B NewBiz program, businesses must have launched between January 2020 and December 2021 and be in an industry that was particularly impacted by the pandemic (As outlined here), or a business that was started by an individual or individuals that became unemployed during the pandemic. Eligible funding amounts are based on when the business was established and whether the business is home-based or operating out of a “brick-and-mortar” establishment:
|
Business Start Date
|
Brick-and-Mortar
|
Home-based
|
|
January to June, 2020
|
$30,000
|
$10,000
|
|
July to December, 2020
|
$20,000
|
$5,000
|
|
January to December, 2021
|
$10,000
|
N/A
|
In addition to webinars that will be hosted by navigators, DCEO will be hosting statewide English-and Spanish-language webinars.
Statewide DCEO English-Language Webinars
- Tuesday, November 21, 2023, 1:30 pm
- Monday, November 27, 2023, 1:00 pm
Statewide DCEO Spanish Webinar
- miércoles, 29 de noviembre de 2023, 11:00 am
The Preserve Route 66 Legacy Business Grant Fund provides financial support to businesses to preserve historic places and spur economic development along the Route 66 corridor, with an emphasis on projects that illuminate the narratives of communities whose places and stories have been historically underrepresented.
Grants from the Preserve Route 66 Legacy Business Grant Fund are designed to help business owners advance projects in the following three categories: (1) capital improvements, (2) planning, and (3) marketing and outreach. Eligible projects will be located in the broader Route 66 corridor including communities and neighborhoods along Route 66. Grants will generally range from $5,000 to $10,000, and no match is required.
The deadline for this program will be January 12, 2024. Projects must be located in a community, neighborhood or tribal land along the Route 66 corridor in the following states: Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, or California. While businesses do not need to be located directly on Route 66, they should demonstrate geographic or thematic connections to Route 66.
Eligible entities are those:
- That are small/independently owned legacy businesses or businesses in historic or old buildings.
- That contribute to the history and/or identity of its surrounding Route 66 community or neighborhood.
- That have a compelling and inspiring historical narrative or cultural significance to share.
- That have a physical location (meaning “brick-and-mortar” location).
- That are a registered business entity in good standing in the state or tribal land in which it was formed and the state or tribal land in which it does business (e.g., not an unincorporated contractor).
- That are not part of a national franchise.
- That are existing or new business seeking assistance to open a business in an existing vacant or underutilized Route 66 building (for example, to complete a preservation or business plan) is eligible.
For more information, visit https://savingplaces.org/preserve-route-66-legacy-business-grant-fund
Marketing Partnership Program
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) issued this Notice of Funding Opportunity to match/leverage local funds with State funds to market and promote destinations, tourism attractions and tourism events throughout the State. The goal of the program is to increase overnight stays in paid accommodations. Total amount of funding expected to be awarded through this NOFO is $2,500,000. Awards will range from $10,000 to $100,000. Anticipated start date for awards is March 1, 2024.
Some information is summarized below, but read the full NOFO here - application closes 1/16/24
The period of performance is expected to be March 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024, pre-award costs may be permitted with approval.
Eligible Promotional Projects and Activities – The Program shall provide matching grants to eligible Applicants to assist in promotional activities including, but not limited to, the following:
1) Travel Related Promotional Materials: Costs related to production, design and distribution of travel related brochures, visitor guides, direct mail literature or travel guides that are primarily used to promote areas outside of 50 miles from the Tourism Attractions, Tourism Destinations or Tourism Events in Illinois;
2) Media: Costs related to production, design and placement for print advertising, radio advertising, on line advertising, out of home advertising and television advertising directed toward areas outside of 50 miles from the Tourism Attraction, Tourism Destination or Tourism Event in Illinois;
3) Billboards: Costs related to design and production of billboard artwork and rental of billboard space directed toward areas outside of 30 miles from the Tourism Attraction, Tourism Destination or Tourism Event in Illinois, unless the billboard is placed on an intrastate;
4) Web Sites: Costs related to Web site development, including hosting fees, domain registration and related maintenance fees, search engine optimization and key word searches;
5) Market Research: Costs to conduct research to optimize the effectiveness of marketing the tourism Attraction, Tourism Destination or Tourism Event in Illinois to areas outside of 50 miles;
6) Travel/Trade Shows: Costs related to travel/trade show booth space rental and related expenses, including travel show registration fees for domestic and international marketing, utilities, furniture rental, cleaning, etc.;
7) Visitor Inquiries: Costs related to telephone expenses for toll free telephone numbers for visitor inquiries;
8) Mail Promotions: Costs of the purchase and use of mailing lists for direct mail promotions, provided the promotional material is printed under this Program and provided the postage is billed at bulk rate;
9) Promotional Publications: Expenses for shipping and distribution of promotional publications printed under this Program to State funded Tourism information centers;
10) Ad Campaigns: Costs related to email newsletters and ad mail campaigns primarily directed towards visitors outside a 50 mile radius from the Tourism Attraction, Tourism Destination or Tourism Event in Illinois; and
11) Maps: Costs related to the design and production of maps illustrating the Tourism Attractions of an area being promoted.
Rebuild Illinois Cultural Capital Planning Grants - Application (Closed as of 10/25/23)
The purpose of the Rebuild Illinois Cultural Capital Planning Grants is to help organizations that provide arts programming get the objective information and analysis they need before they commit their organization’s energies and financial resources to a facilities project.
Rebuild Illinois Cultural Capital Planning Grants will support project related activity from January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024. Applicants will request a specific grant amount in the application and awards will range from $5,000 - $50,000. No cash match is required for this grant.
Examples of projects that may be considered for funding include:
- Architectural planning and design
- Site selection
- Feasibility studies
- Expansion planning
- Energy efficiency planning
- Accessibility and ADA planning
- Business and operational planning related to a new or expanded facilities
Important to note is that the Cultural Capital Planning Grants applications will be submitted in IACA's online Salesforce platform: https://arts-illinois.my.site.com/
Webinar & Drop-in Meeting
An Online Webinar will be available for applicants on Friday, September 8, 2023, at 11:00am Central Time. Pre-registration is required.
Tourism Private Sector Grant Program (Closed as of 12/4/23)
Link to Notice of Funding Opportunity for Private Sector
DCEO is also allocating $4.6 million through the Tourism Private Sector Grant Program which provides funding to entities to attract, host and develop new or enhanced events and festivals across Illinois. The grant opportunity is open to non-profits, government entities, for-profit institutions, and local promotional groups and as defined in state statute, matching funds must be provided by private sector entities, which is the origin of the program’s name. Grant funds can be used for a variety of purposes that support new, expanded, or enhanced events and festivals including advertising and marketing, transportation, building or equipment rental, receptions and banquets, registration, entertainment, and more.
Eligible applicants include counties, municipalities, not-for-profit organizations, local promotion groups, and for-profit entities, and Tourism Attraction grants are also open to units of local government.
Eligible entities can apply for Tourism Private Sector grants between $10,000 to $500,000, with a 1:1 match requirement. Applications will be accepted until December 4, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. To view the NOFO and apply for the grant, please visit the DCEO website.
Interested parties are also encouraged to reach out to [email protected] for application assistance.
Illinois Arts Council Agency Announces 2024 Arts and Foreign Language Education Planning Assistance Grant (Closed as of 12/5/23)
The Illinois Arts Council Agency (IACA), in cooperation with the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), is pleased to announce that funding is available for school districts and other eligible applicants in fiscal year 2024 (FY24) with the Arts and Foreign Language Education Planning Assistance Grant.
The Arts and Foreign Language Education Grant Program (AFL) is designed to assist school districts and other eligible applicants with the development or enhancement of curricular programs in the arts or foreign language. AFL was established by the Illinois state legislation in 2006. It enables the Illinois Arts Council Agency and the Illinois State Board of Education to provide grants to eligible applicants for the purpose of supporting arts and foreign language education in schools, with an emphasis on ensuring that these areas become part of the school’s core curriculum. Funding is available in each discipline for up to four years, with one year of planning and three years of implementation.
The Illinois Arts Council Agency has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit proposals from eligible applicants that seek resources to develop district-based plans for initiating, strengthening, or expanding instruction in the arts or foreign language. Annual grant awards will not exceed $40,000 depending on programmatic needs, size of district, and level of planning to take place. Proposals are due December 5, 2023.
An online, interactive informational webinar about the Arts and Foreign Language Education Planning Assistance Grant, designed to provide technical assistance on the RFP and answer questions about the process, will be held Wednesday, October 25, at 1 PM.
To access the RFP and register for the webinar, visit www.arts.illinois.gov/AFL.
Tourism Attractions Grant Program
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) launched $15.4 million in tourism funding through two grant programs, the Tourism Attractions Grant Program ($10.8 million) and the Tourism Private Sector Grant Program ($4.6 million). Eligible entities can apply for grants to attract, develop, and improve new and existing tourism-related projects, events and festivals in an effort to boost tourism across the state and welcome more visitors. Grantees will be selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process.
The $10.8 million Tourism Attractions Grant Program will provide funding for the development or improvement of tourism attractions in Illinois, such as museums, recreation areas, amusement parks, and more. The goal of the program is to provide assistance for projects that increase the economic impact of tourism throughout Illinois by increasing visitation rates, boosting hotel occupancy, increasing local hotel and sales tax revenue, and more.
Eligible applicants include counties, municipalities, not-for-profit organizations, local promotion groups, for-profit entities, and units of local government.
For the Tourism Attraction program, qualified entities can apply for grants between $15,000 to $500,000, with a 1:1 match required. Applications will be accepted until December 18, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. To view the NOFO and apply for the grant, please visit the DCEO website.
Illinois EPA Announces $27 Million Notice of Funding Opportunity for Public Light-Duty Electric Vehicle Fast Charging Infrastructure
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) announced the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) EV Charging Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the purchase and installation of new Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) light-duty electric vehicle charging stations at publicly accessible locations. The NOFO and related documents have been posted to the Illinois EPA website.
Illinois EPA anticipates funding a percentage of projects with awards for electric DC fast charging stations to be located at publicly accessible locations (shopping centers, retail stores, gas stations, etc.). This round is expected to fund 675 fast charging ports. Each application must include a minimum of two charging station locations, with at least two standalone chargers at each charging station location
Additional points will also be awarded to projects at a charging station location in an area identified as an equity investment eligible community through the EIEC mapping tool. At that link, communities qualify for the additional points if they are in either an EJ or an R3 Community. They do not need to be in both.
Eligible applicants include private organizations (including sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, and limited liability companies) that are incorporated under Illinois law and registered and in good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State. Eligible applicants must be an owner of a proposed charging station location and/or an owner of the proposed charging station.
All required forms and information can be found on the Driving A Cleaner Illinois webpage: https://epa.illinois.gov/topics/air-quality/driving-a-cleaner-illinois.html. Applications for the Driving a Cleaner Illinois – Climate and Equitable Jobs Act EV Charging NOFO will be accepted November 3, 2023 through 5:00 PM (CST) on December 22, 2023.
All applicants must pre-qualify through the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act Grantee Portal.
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