ILBCF Announces 2024 Scholarships
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Foundation (ILBCF) is offering another year of educational scholarship opportunities to high school seniors and undergraduate students who are planning to continue their education at two or four-year institutions in the Fall of 2024.
The ILBCF has been awarding scholarships since 2002, providing over $1,500,000 in scholarship support to deserving students. For the past three years, the foundation has been able to increase their awards for students thanks to the generosity of donors. This year the foundation will be able to give more than $100,000 in scholarships.
“For more than a decade, the ILBCF has helped hardworking students get one step closer to achieving their dreams,” said House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch. “Our young people are our future, and we must continue investing in and believing in them.”
"The ILBCF is so pleased to announce that the 2024 Scholarship Application Cycle is open from March 1 – May 31,” said Tiffany Hightower, ILBCF Executive Director. “The Foundation is overjoyed to have provided over 1.5 million dollars in scholarships to deserving students across the state of Illinois who are matriculating to a 2 and/or 4 year university or certificate program. Last year, we provided over 100 students with an opportunity to further their educational efforts. This year will be no different. Apply now!"
The link for the scholarship application can be found on the ILBCF website. For more information about the scholarship, inquiries can be sent to info@ilbcf.org.
Grant Opportunities
Illinois Grocery Initiative – Equipment Upgrades Program
Program Details: The Illinois Grocery Initiative Equipment Upgrades Grant Program (NOFO 3295-2671) will provide grants for energy-efficient equipment upgrades for existing independently owned grocery stores. Grant awards may vary from $25,000 to $250,000 per applicant. See the press release here - Gov. Pritzker Announces $3.5 Million Available in Grants for Local Grocers to Preserve Access to Fresh Food (illinois.gov)
Eligible Applicants: Independently owned for-profit grocery stores, coop grocery stores and not-for-profit grocery stores with fewer than 500 employees and no more than four existing grocery stores.
Application Deadline: March 25, 2024
Apply Here
Tourism Incentive Grant Program
Program Details: The Tourism Incentive Grant Program will provide grant funding for establishment of an incentive grant program used by eligible entities to attract new out-of-state events to Illinois when competing with other states’ destinations. It may also be used to retain existing business when documentation is provided that the entity is competing against other states’ destinations to retain the business in Illinois. Grant funds for the incentive program cannot be offered to an event if multiple Illinois destinations are in competition for this same event. $15 million total, grants will range between $50,000 and $5,000,000.
Eligible Applicants: Units of local government, local promotion groups, not-for-profit organizations and convention center authorities
Application Deadline: May 1, 2024
Apply Here
Equitable Energy Future Grant Program
Program Details: This program provides front-loaded funding to support development of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, businesses, community organizations, and job creation benefitting historically disadvantaged populations. Approximately $25,500,000 total will be available with grants ranging between $250,000 and $1,000,000.
Eligible Applicants: Equity Eligible Contractors; businesses, nonprofits that met equity building criteria; and equity eligible persons.
Application Deadline: June 24, 2024
Apply Here
State Job Training and Workforce Programs – Workforce Services for Low and Moderate Income Individuals Including Immigrants, Migrants, and Refugees
Program Details: This program will provide workforce and training services to underserved communities, particularly immigrants, migrants, and refugees. who need the training to access employment or skill upgrades to advance in their employment. The workers must currently reside in Illinois and are eligible to work in Illinois at the completion of the program - definitions for these participants are listed online.
Eligible Applicants: All applicants must demonstrate partnerships with employers and educational entities to create local and regional strategies. Additionally, applicants should consider incorporating Barrier Reduction funding into the training strategy to support participant completion of training and retention in employment.
Application Deadline: June 30, 2024
Apply Here
Community Development Block Grant-Coronavirus Urban Shelter Program
Program Details: DCEO is proud to announce the Urban Shelter grant program (NOFO 3351-2722) is funded by the Community Development Block Grant – Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Designed to increase shelter capacity to pre-COVID levels, activities must relate to the prevention of, preparation for, or response to Coronavirus. Grants are available for no less than $500,000 and no more than $2 million. Eligible activities must relate to one of the following HUD-defined codes:
01 Acquisition: CDBG-CV funds will be used only for the acquisition of property for a public purpose.
03C Homeless Facilities (not operating costs): Funds for construction, conversion, renovation or rehabilitation of shelters for the homeless, including shelters for domestic violence victims.
03Q Abused and Neglected Children’s Facilities (not operating costs): Funds for construction, conversion, renovation or rehabilitation of shelters providing temporary housing for abused and neglected children.
Eligible Applicants: Although CDBG funds coming to the State are normally used in rural areas, due to the CARES Act funding, this specific grant is available only in areas that receive their own direct allocation of CDBG funds. Eligible communities include: Arlington Heights, Aurora, Berwyn, Bloomington, Champaign, Chicago, Cicero, Danville, Decatur, DeKalb, Des Plaines, Elgin, Evanston, Hoffman Estates, Joliet, Kankakee, Moline, Mount Prospect, Naperville, Normal, Oak Lawn, Oak Park, Palatine, Pekin, Peoria, Rantoul, Rockford, Rock Island, Schaumburg, Skokie, Springfield, Urbana, Waukegan, and communities within the counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, Madison, McHenry, St. Clair, and Will. Review additional eligibility requirements.
Application Deadline: July 31, 2024
Apply Here
Cannabis Social Equity Direct Forgivable Loan Program
Program Details: DCEO’s Direct Forgivable Loan (DFL) Program responds to feedback from license holders continuing to face systemic barriers to accessing capital and becoming operational. Direct Forgivable Loans are fully financed by the State of Illinois, offering a significant grace period, low interest rates, and full principal forgiveness upon receiving proof of eligible expenses. Interest Rates are 4% after an 18-month grace period of no required payments and 0% interest; applicants can also pursue forgiveness prior to any interest accruing. The loan principal is 100% forgivable upon providing documentation for eligible business expenses.
Eligible Applicants: The current round of the Cannabis Social Equity Direct Forgivable Loan Program is only open for social equity Adult-Use Dispensing organizations who were issued a Conditional Adult-Use Dispensary License or Adult-Use Dispensary License prior to calendar year 2023 from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).
Application Deadline: The application deadline is Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Applicants must fill out documents and complete the Smartsheet Application Form. Late submissions will not be reviewed or accepted.
Apply Here