Funding Opportunities
View funding opportunities currently available to creatives in Illinois. Our list regularly includes opportunities from local, state, and national funders and agencies.
Is a loan right for your creative business or nonprofit? Check out a recording of our April webinar with lenders and creatives talking you through the process of thinking through and applying for a loan.
Deadline: Ongoing
The National Endowment for the Humanities has issued a call for proposals for Celebrate America!, a new initiative to recognize the nation’s semiquincentennial on July 4, 2026. NEH will award 250 challenge grants of up to $25,000 each for projects that focus on the founding of the American nation, key historical figures, and milestones that reflect the exceptional achievements of the United States.
Deadline: Rolling; projects can start between August 1, 2025, and July 2, 2026.
The City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development (DPD)’s Neighborhood Opportunity Fund (NOF) provides capital development grants up to $250,000 for small business and cultural projects located along West, Southwest, and South Side commercial corridors. NOF grants are provided as reimbursement for up to 75% of eligible project expenses with a maximum grant of $250,000. Applicants may qualify for additional funding for Technical Assistance.
Deadlines occur quarterly.
Illinois Made celebrates those makers, creators, and artisans who help craft Illinois by hand, inspiring visitors and fellow Illinoisans to discover more about the state by experiencing firsthand the passion that makes it thrive. Nominations to be included in the online directory are now open!
Deadline coming soon.
Learn more and apply.
Applications for the CityArts Grant Program, through the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, are now open. This year CityArts is offering two types of grants: general operating support, for Chicago-based arts and culture nonprofits; and project grants, which are for either new or existing programs that promote “innovation or sustainability of Chicago’s arts and cultural landscape.” Learn more.
Deadline: Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 12pm (noon)
Download this CityArts Tip Sheet to help with the application process!
The Art-in-Architecture Program of the Capital Development Board has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to Illinois professional artists to create permanent original public art for the Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) Education Building in Chicago. Learn more.
Deadline: Wednesday, June 19, 2026 3:00 P.M
CTA is seeking proposals for temporary public artwork, performances, and community-driven cultural activations at CTA rail stations to bring arts and culture programming to the community. Organizations, artists or performers can apply for up to $50,000 in funding for temporary work or performances. Learn more here.
Deadline: Wednesday, July 1 2026 by 5:00 p.m. CT
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If you’re a funder interested in helping the Alliance provide funding navigation services to the creative sector, we’d love to talk! Reach out to our Development Manager, Karen Loda, at loda@artsalliance.org.