Your Guide to Illinois Education Grants

In Illinois, we're fortunate to have a range of grants designed to support educational initiatives. Whether you're looking to enhance STEAM learning, boost career and technical education, or expand learning opportunities beyond the traditional school day, there's likely a grant program available to help. Let's explore some of the key IL education grants

Please visit the state website for the most recent listing of all available grants.

Illinois Education Grant Programs

Title I, Part A – Improving Academic Achievement (Federal)

• Launch Date: 1965 (as part of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act)

• Purpose: Provide financial assistance to local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools with high numbers or percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

• Application Information: here.

• Objective: Support schools in delivering high-quality education to students from low-income families, aiming to close the achievement gap.

• Application Deadline: Varies by state and fiscal year

• Relevant Fields: K–12 Education, Educational Equity, Academic Achievement

• Funding Period: Annually, with potential for multi-year funding

• Grant Type: Formula-based

• Status: Ongoing

• Administering Body: U.S. Department of Education

• Eligibility: State and local educational agencies serving high numbers or percentages of low-income students

• Funding Amount: Varies.

Title II, Part A – Supporting Effective Educators (Federal)

• Launch Date: 2002 (under the No Child Left Behind Act)

• Purpose: Provide funding to improve teacher and principal quality through professional development, class size reduction, and recruitment and retention of highly qualified educators.

• Application Information: here.

• Objective: Enhance the effectiveness of educators to improve student academic achievement.

• Application Deadline: Varies by state and fiscal year

• Relevant Fields: Teacher and Principal Development, Educational Leadership, K–12 Education

• Funding Period: Annually, with potential for multi-year funding

• Grant Type: Formula-based

• Status: Ongoing

• Administering Body: U.S. Department of Education

• Eligibility: State and local educational agencies

• Funding Amount: Varies based on formulas considering student population and poverty rates

Career and Technical Education (CTE) Grants (State)

• Launch Date: Ongoing

• Purpose: Support programs that prepare students for high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand careers across various fields, including manufacturing, technology, healthcare, and business.

• Application Information: here.

• Objective: Enhance career and technical education to meet workforce demands and provide students with practical skills.

• Application Deadline: Varies by grant program and fiscal year

• Relevant Fields: Career and Technical Education, Workforce Development, STEM

• Funding Period: Typically annual, with potential for renewal

• Grant Type: Competitive and formula-based, depending on the specific grant

• Status: Ongoing

• Administering Body: Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)

• Eligibility: Public school districts, area vocational centers, and community colleges in Illinois

• Funding Amount: Varies based on program and applicant needs.

Early Childhood Block Grant (State/Federal)

• Launch Date: Ongoing

• Purpose: Provide funding for a range of early childhood services, including preschool, child care, and home visiting programs, to enhance the quality and availability of early learning opportunities for children from birth to age five.

• Application Information: isbe.net/ecbg

• Objective: Support early childhood development and school readiness, particularly for children from low-income families.

• Application Deadline: Varies by fiscal year

• Relevant Fields: Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Family Support

• Funding Period: Typically annual, with potential for renewal

• Grant Type: Competitive

• Status: Ongoing

• Administering Body: Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)

• Eligibility: School districts, community-based organizations, and other early childhood service providers in Illinois

• Funding Amount: Varies based on program scope and applicant needs

Illinois Special Education Grant (State/Federal)

• Launch Date: Ongoing

• Purpose: Provide funding to support special education services for students with disabilities aged three to 21, ensuring they receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE) tailored to their individual needs.

• Application Information: here.

• Objective: Support the implementation of individualized education programs (IEPs) and related services for students with disabilities.

• Application Deadline: Varies by fiscal year

• Relevant Fields: Special Education, Inclusive Education, Student Support Services

• Funding Period: Typically annual, with potential for renewal

• Grant Type: Formula-based and competitive, depending on the specific grant

• Status: Ongoing

• Administering Body: Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)

• Eligibility: Public school districts and special education cooperatives in Illinois

• Funding Amount: Varies based on student enrollment and specific needs

Other opportunities:

Aim High Afterschool Alliance Awards

• Description: Supports out-of-school programs for middle school youth to prepare for high school.

• Amount: $20,000 (1 year); $100,000 (2 years).

• Duration: 1 or 2 years.

• Eligibility: 501(c)(3) organizations for middle school students.

• Website:Aim High Awards

• Deadline: Varies.

Boeing Chicago/Great Lakes Grant Program

• Launch Date: February 16, 2024

• Purpose: Support initiatives aligned with Boeing's local strategies in the Chicago/Great Lakes region.

• Application Information: boeing.com/community/engagement

• Objective: Enhance community engagement through education, workforce development, and environmental stewardship.

• Application Deadline: By invitation; deadline provided upon invitation

• Relevant Fields: Education, Workforce Development, Environment

• Funding Period: 2024 grant cycle

• Grant Type: Competitive

• Status: Open by invitation

• Administering Body: Boeing

• Eligibility: Organizations aligned with Boeing's focus areas

• Funding Amount: Varies.

Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust

• Launch Date: Ongoing

• Purpose: Support youth education and biomedical and scientific research.

• Application Information: carvertrust.org

• Objective: Promote welfare of youth and advance knowledge in science and health.

• Application Deadline: Rolling

• Relevant Fields: Youth Education, Biomedical Research, Scientific Research

• Funding Period: Varies

• Grant Type: Competitive

• Status: Open

• Administering Body: Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust

• Eligibility: 501(c)(3) organizations

• Funding Amount: Varies.

Distance Learning & Telemedicine Grants

• Launch Date: 2025

• Purpose: Enhance education and healthcare in rural areas through telecommunications.

• Application Information: rd.usda.gov/programs-services/telecommunications-programs/distance-learning-telemedicine-grants

• Objective: Improve access to education and medical services in rural communities.

• Application Deadline: Varies annually

• Relevant Fields: Distance Learning, Telemedicine, Rural Development

• Funding Period: Varies

• Grant Type: Discretionary

• Status: Open

• Administering Body: USDA

• Eligibility: Entities providing education or healthcare services in rural areas

• Funding Amount: Varies.

Environmental Education Association of Illinois Mini-Grants

• Launch Date: Annually

• Purpose: Support environmental education programming and curriculum development.

• Application Information: eeai.net/mini-grants

• Objective: Enhance environmental literacy through educational initiatives.

• Application Deadline: Varies annually

• Relevant Fields: Environmental Education, Curriculum Development

• Funding Period: One year

• Grant Type: Competitive

• Status: Open

• Administering Body: Environmental Education Association of Illinois

• Eligibility: Educators and educational institutions

• Funding Amount: Up to $350.

IEEE Foundation Grants

• Description: Supports projects aligned with IEEE's mission to advance technology for humanity.

• Amount: Varies.

• Duration: 1 year.

• Eligibility: IEEE units, nonprofits, individuals.

• Website:IEEE Foundation

• Deadline: Varies.

Illinois Biodiversity Field Trip Grant

• Launch Date: Annually

• Purpose: Fund field trips that allow students to experience Illinois' natural resources.

• Application Information: ilconservation.org/What-We-Do/Programs/Biodiversity-Field-Trip-Grants

• Objective: Enhance students' understanding of biodiversity and conservation.

• Application Deadline: January 31 annually

• Relevant Fields: Environmental Education, Biodiversity, Conservation

• Funding Period: One-time field trip

• Grant Type: Competitive

• Status: Open

• Administering Body: Illinois Conservation Foundation

• Eligibility: Illinois teachers (Pre-K through 12th grade)

• Funding Amount: Varies.

OCCRL Illinois Spark Grants Initiative

• Launch Date: 2019

• Purpose: Support equity-focused and culturally responsive curriculum efforts in community colleges.

• Application Information: occrl.illinois.edu/EC3P/spark

• Objective: Promote educational equity and transformation in community colleges.

• Application Deadline: Varies

• Relevant Fields: Higher Education, Curriculum Development, Equity

• Funding Period: One year

• Grant Type: Competitive

• Status: Closed (last awarded in 2019)

PNC Grow Up Great Early Childhood Grant

• Launch Date: Ongoing

• Purpose: Support early childhood education initiatives that prepare children from birth to age five for success in school and life.

• Application Information: pncgrowupgreat.com

• Objective: Enhance school readiness by funding programs that provide high-quality early childhood education, particularly for underserved populations.

• Application Deadline: Varies by region and program cycle

• Relevant Fields: Early Childhood Education, School Readiness, Community Development

• Funding Period: Typically one year

• Grant Type: Competitive

• Status: Open

• Administering Body: PNC Foundation

• Eligibility: Nonprofit organizations with programs focused on early childhood education

• Funding Amount: Varies; grants have ranged from $5,000 to over $100,000Pinterest+1Wikipedia+1WikipediaFacebook

STEM DuPage

• Launch Date: Ongoing

• Purpose: Promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education in DuPage County, Illinois.

• Application Information: stemdupage.com

• Objective: Enhance STEM learning opportunities for students through programs, events, and partnerships.

• Application Deadline: Varies by program and event

• Relevant Fields: STEM Education, K-12 Education, Community Engagement

• Funding Period: Varies

• Grant Type: Competitive

• Status: Open

• Administering Body: STEM DuPage

• Eligibility: Schools, educators, and organizations in DuPage County

• Funding Amount: VariesJacksonville Journal-Courier

The Joyce Foundation

• Launch Date: Ongoing

• Purpose: Support evidence-informed policies and practices to improve quality of life, promote community vitality, and achieve a fair society.

• Application Information: joycefdn.org

• Objective: Focus on education, environment, democracy, culture, and gun violence prevention, particularly in the Great Lakes region.

• Application Deadline: Rolling; letters of inquiry accepted year-round

• Relevant Fields: Education Policy, Environmental Sustainability, Public Policy

• Funding Period: Typically one to two years

• Grant Type: Competitive

• Status: Open

• Administering Body: The Joyce Foundation

• Eligibility: Nonprofit organizations and public agencies

• Funding Amount: Varies; grants have ranged from $50,000 to over $1 millionPinterest

Toshiba America Foundation

• Launch Date: Ongoing

• Purpose: Support innovative STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) projects in U.S. schools.

• Application Information: toshiba.com/taf

• Objective: Enhance STEM education by funding teacher-led projects that provide hands-on learning experiences.

• Application Deadlines:

  • Grades K–5: October 1 annually

  • Grades 6–12: February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1 annually

• Relevant Fields: STEM Education, K-12 Education

• Funding Period: Typically one year

• Grant Type: Competitive

• Status: Open

• Administering Body: Toshiba America Foundation

• Eligibility: U.S. K-12 teachers

• Funding Amount:

  • Grades K–5: Up to $1,000

  • Grades 6–12: Up to $5,000 or more.

Woodstock Community School District Grants

• Launch Date: Ongoing

• Purpose: Support educational initiatives and programs within the Woodstock Community School District.

• Application Information: https://www.woodstockschools.org/

• Objective: Enhance student learning experiences through funding for innovative projects and resources.

• Application Deadline: Varies by grant program

• Relevant Fields: K-12 Education, Curriculum Development, Educational Innovation

• Funding Period: Typically one year

• Grant Type: Competitive

• Status: Open

• Administering Body: Woodstock Community School District 200

• Eligibility: Teachers and staff within the district

• Funding Amount: Varies

Need Help Navigating the Grant Landscape?

Applying for grants can be a complex process. Our team of expert consultants can guide you through every step, from identifying relevant opportunities to crafting compelling applications.

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