Education Grants in Illinois

1,690 foundations fund education programs in Illinois. See who they are, what they give, and how to reach them.

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These foundations have a track record of funding education work in Illinois, based on IRS 990 grant data. Use the list below to find funders aligned with your mission, then sign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits each one.

Open Grant Opportunities

Live programs funding education in Illinois that your nonprofit can apply to now.

Open nowCloses in 4 days (Jun 30, 2026)

Annual General Grants (Education Programs)

From Shapira Foundation

EducationAfter-school programsMentoring+1 more

Who can apply: Organizations with education-related programs serving low-income or disadvantaged populations that align with the Foundation's emphasis; applicants must submit a Letter of Inquiry. Specific legal/organizational eligibility not specified in provided content.

Open nowCloses in 14 days (Jul 10, 2026)Award: $50K – $250K

Education Opportunity Fund

From Kla Foundation

STEM education accessSTEM skill developmentstudent preparedness+4 more

Who can apply: Organizations seeking support for STEM education initiatives for K-12 students and related educator/system-strengthening efforts. Applicants may include administrative costs if necessary to implement the proposed project or services.

Open nowCloses in 28 days (Jul 24, 2026)

Research Opportunities & RFPs (including Energy Savings Study RFP)

From Water Quality Research Foundation

water quality researchdrinking water qualitywater softening+4 more

Who can apply: WQRF seeks proposals from academic and research organizations; the posted Energy Savings Study RFP requires a Notice of Intent (NOI) before full proposal submission. WQRF research opportunities are released throughout the year.

Open nowCloses Jul 27, 2026Award: Up to $50K

FARE Grant

From Foundation for Arthroplasty Research and Education

arthroplasty researchhip arthroplastyknee arthroplasty+2 more

Who can apply: Studies must be conducted in North America. The application serves as a Letter of Intent (LOI) and is reviewed by the Research Committee. If invited to submit a full proposal, applicants receive further instructions.

Open nowCloses Jul 28, 2026

Wheeler Foundation Grant Program

From Wheeler Foundation

developmental disabilitiesspecial educationeducation+4 more

Who can apply: Open to private or public organizations seeking support to educate, train, and support children and adults who are mentally and/or physically handicapped. Wheeler Foundation will not fund routine operating needs and will not fund any project on an ongoing basis. Applicants must provide required organizational and financial documents; schools must include a superintendent letter of support.

Open nowCloses Jul 31, 2026Award: Varies

USA Lacrosse Physical Education Grant

From Us Lacrosse

physical educationequipment accesscurriculum support+1 more

Who can apply: Applicants must be directly associated with the organization or school for which they apply and meet USA Lacrosse grant eligibility guidelines.

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Deadlines and program details come from public sources and can change. Always confirm on the funder's official site before applying.

Largest Education in Illinois Foundations

The Big Ten Conference Inc

Rosemont, IL

Annual Giving

$844M

Total Assets

$352.9M

Median Grant

$58.9M

B60Regional
THE ANDREW W MELLON FOUNDATION

NEW YORK, NY

Annual Giving

$475.8M

Total Assets

$7.8B

Median Grant

$500K

B82National
JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY

BALTIMORE, MD

Annual Giving

$404.5M

Total Assets

$20.2B

Median Grant

$120K

B430National
THE OJC FUND

BROOKLYN, NY

Annual Giving

$334.4M

Total Assets

$54M

Median Grant

$29K

B90Local
US COMMITTEE FOR REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS INC

ARLINGTON, VA

Annual Giving

$274.5M

Total Assets

$133.9M

Median Grant

$150K

B99National
University of Illinois Foundation

Champaign, IL

Annual Giving

$269.2M

Total Assets

$3.3B

Median Grant

$144K

B110Regional
THE ANNENBERG FOUNDATION

CONSHOHOCKEN, PA

Annual Giving

$258.7M

Total Assets

$1.5B

Median Grant

$25K

B82National
Emory University

Atlanta, GA

Annual Giving

$240.2M

Total Assets

$22.2B

Median Grant

$75K

B430National
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO FOUNDATION

DENVER, CO

Annual Giving

$230.6M

Total Assets

$3.5B

Median Grant

$73K

B110Local
JOHN S AND JAMES L KNIGHT FOUNDATION

MIAMI, FL

Annual Giving

$198.6M

Total Assets

$2.5B

Median Grant

$107K

B82National
THE SCHMIDT FAMILY FOUNDATION

PALO ALTO, CA

Annual Giving

$195.5M

Total Assets

$2B

Median Grant

$100K

B82National
THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA FOUNDATION

ATHENS, GA

Annual Giving

$193.2M

Total Assets

$2.4B

Median Grant

$589K

B110Regional
THE MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK CITY INC

NEW YORK, NY

Annual Giving

$163.1M

Total Assets

$157M

Median Grant

$56K

B99National
THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK

NEW YORK, NY

Annual Giving

$162.8M

Total Assets

$23.6B

Median Grant

$69K

B430National
CARNEGIE CORPORATION OF NEW YORK

New York, NY

Annual Giving

$148.9M

Total Assets

$4.5B

Median Grant

$188K

B124National
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH

PITTSBURGH, PA

Annual Giving

$146.6M

Total Assets

$9.7B

Median Grant

$84K

B99National
President and Fellows of Harvard College

CAMBRIDGE, MA

Annual Giving

$145.3M

Total Assets

$70.6B

Median Grant

$86K

B500National
Yale University

New Haven, CT

Annual Giving

$137.2M

Total Assets

$55.2B

Median Grant

$110K

B430National
DRUCKENMILLER FOUNDATION

NEW YORK, NY

Annual Giving

$135.7M

Total Assets

$1.8B

Median Grant

$25K

B82Regional
Cornell University

ITHACA, NY

Annual Giving

$120.8M

Total Assets

$18.6B

Median Grant

$88K

B430National
Ascendium Education Solutions Inc

MADISON, WI

Annual Giving

$117.5M

Total Assets

$222.6M

Median Grant

$89K

B82ZNational
ECMC GROUP INC

MINNEAPOLIS, MN

Annual Giving

$105.6M

Total Assets

$5.7B

Median Grant

$21K

B02Regional
INDIAN PAINTBRUSH FOUNDATION

WASHINGTON, DC

Annual Giving

$102.9M

Total Assets

$1.9B

Median Grant

$138K

B82INational
EWING MARION KAUFFMAN FOUNDATION

KANSAS CITY, MO

Annual Giving

$95M

Total Assets

$2.5B

Median Grant

$82K

B82Regional
TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY

BOSTON, MA

Annual Giving

$92M

Total Assets

$8.5B

Median Grant

$110K

B43National

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