Education Grants in Illinois

1,955 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 3 days (Nov 15, 2026)

Adult Learn-to-Swim Grants

From Usa Swimming Foundation

Adult learn-to-swim programsWater safetyDrowning prevention+1 more

Who can apply: Open to swim instructors, facilities, and programs seeking to help adults become safer around water. Grant recipients must register as a U.S. Masters Swimming club or workout group when accepting the award.

Open nowCloses in 3 days (Nov 15, 2026)

Plastics & Polymer Education Grants

From Society of Plastics Engineers

Plastics educationPolymer scienceSTEM education+1 more

Who can apply: Supports programs and projects at educational institutions. The grants program generally does not support individuals, for-profit entities, general operating expenses, capital or building campaigns, debt reduction, endowments, fundraising events, loans, or meals and refreshments.

Open nowCloses in 19 days (Dec 1, 2026)Award: $5K – $75K

Center for Racial and Social Justice—Racial Justice in Education Grant

From National Education Association of the United States

Racial justiceSocial justiceLeadership development+2 more

Who can apply: NEA state and local affiliates may apply. Proposals must include detailed planning, supporting documents, narrative and budget information. Grantees must submit scheduled progress and final reports.

Open nowCloses in 20 days (Dec 2, 2026)Award: Up to $15K

Community Enhancement and Economic Stimulus Grant

From Greater Livingston County Economic Development Council

Business developmentEconomic developmentEmployment and workforce development+2 more

Who can apply: The organization must have a local address and serve residents of the Greater Livingston County area. Applicants must provide a business plan describing the organization, project, expected jobs retained or created, employee status and wages, and the project's impact on employment, the labor force, and/or education in Livingston County. Funds may not be used for operating costs, employee salaries, employee benefits, employment taxes, or utilities.

Open nowCloses in 20 days (Dec 2, 2026)

Educational Enhancement (Educational Enhancement Stimulus) Grant

From Greater Livingston County Economic Development Council

EducationSTEMK–12 school programming+1 more

Who can apply: Dedicated to Livingston County schools providing S.T.E.M. programming. See the STEAM application PDF for specific eligibility and submission requirements.

Open nowCloses Dec 15, 2026

Education and Awareness Grants

From Illinois Cancercare Foundation

Cancer educationCommunity outreachEarly cancer detection+2 more

Who can apply: Projects must be directly related to the Foundation's priorities, serve the general service area, leverage other resources where possible, and produce measurable, cost-effective results. Religious, political, fraternal, sectarian, discriminatory, out-of-area, endowment, annual-fund, event, and advertising requests are not eligible.

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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

$1.4B

Total Assets

$280.7M

Median Grant

$58.9M

B60Regional
JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY

BALTIMORE, MD

Annual Giving

$594.1M

Total Assets

$25.3B

Median Grant

$120K

B430National
THE ANDREW W MELLON FOUNDATION

NEW YORK, NY

Annual Giving

$475.8M

Total Assets

$7.8B

Median Grant

$500K

B82National
THE OJC FUND

BROOKLYN, NY

Annual Giving

$448.3M

Total Assets

$58.5M

Median Grant

$29K

B90Local
University of Illinois Foundation

Champaign, IL

Annual Giving

$312.3M

Total Assets

$3.7B

Median Grant

$144K

B110Local
President and Fellows of Harvard College

CAMBRIDGE, MA

Annual Giving

$273.3M

Total Assets

$79.9B

Median Grant

$86K

B500National
THE ANNENBERG FOUNDATION

CONSHOHOCKEN, PA

Annual Giving

$258.7M

Total Assets

$1.5B

Median Grant

$25K

B82National
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

LOS ANGELES, CA

Annual Giving

$249.4M

Total Assets

$17B

Median Grant

$22K

B430National
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO FOUNDATION

DENVER, CO

Annual Giving

$230.6M

Total Assets

$3.5B

Median Grant

$73K

B110Local
THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK

NEW YORK, NY

Annual Giving

$208.3M

Total Assets

$26B

Median Grant

$69K

B430National
JOHN S AND JAMES L KNIGHT FOUNDATION

MIAMI, FL

Annual Giving

$198.6M

Total Assets

$2.5B

Median Grant

$107K

B82National
US COMMITTEE FOR REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS INC

ARLINGTON, VA

Annual Giving

$195.9M

Total Assets

$136.5M

Median Grant

$150K

B99National
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

$189.7M

Total Assets

$171.8M

Median Grant

$56K

B99National
Emory University

Atlanta, GA

Annual Giving

$183.7M

Total Assets

$24.9B

Median Grant

$75K

B430National
CARNEGIE CORPORATION OF NEW YORK

New York, NY

Annual Giving

$180.9M

Total Assets

$4.8B

Median Grant

$188K

B124National
Yale University

New Haven, CT

Annual Giving

$168.2M

Total Assets

$58.9B

Median Grant

$110K

B430National
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH

PITTSBURGH, PA

Annual Giving

$149.1M

Total Assets

$10.9B

Median Grant

$84K

B99National
Ascendium Education Solutions Inc

MADISON, WI

Annual Giving

$145.2M

Total Assets

$213.3M

Median Grant

$89K

B82ZNational
DRUCKENMILLER FOUNDATION

NEW YORK, NY

Annual Giving

$135.7M

Total Assets

$1.8B

Median Grant

$25K

B82Regional
Cornell University

ITHACA, NY

Annual Giving

$126.7M

Total Assets

$19.8B

Median Grant

$88K

B430National
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY

SAINT LOUIS, MO

Annual Giving

$120.7M

Total Assets

$22.3B

Median Grant

$54K

B430National
TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY

BOSTON, MA

Annual Giving

$109.8M

Total Assets

$9.3B

Median Grant

$110K

B43National
ECMC GROUP INC

MINNEAPOLIS, MN

Annual Giving

$105.6M

Total Assets

$5.7B

Median Grant

$21K

B02Regional

Education grants by state

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