Best Champaign Grants for Nonprofits in Illinois

Pillars of Giving

Nicor Gas focuses its charitable giving on five pillars. Grants are most likely to be awarded to organizations that fall into one of the five focus areas noted below and whose programs benefit those within Nicor Gas’ service area.

Family and Social Services

Strong communities depend on good citizens working together. We invest in nonprofit organizations with programs that support families, improve quality of life, foster resilience and enhance social welfare.

The Family and Social Services pillar provides support to social services programs. We focus on communities where stabilization needs are the greatest. Organizations funded under this pillar include social services agencies, non-core health services such as mental health, substance abuse, disability services, and organizations that target civic development. Nicor Gas supports a broad range of programs that promote community and social services, including but not limited to:

• Mental health and substance abuse prevention and treatment programs
• Domestic violence prevention and treatment programs
• Disability services programs
• Family support services programs
• Rehabilitation programs

The Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation (CUSF) awards IMPACT grants to teachers across Champaign and Urbana to support innovative classroom projects that inspire creativity, enhance learning, and promote hands-on experiences. These grants empower educators to bring their ideas to life—benefiting students through opportunities that enrich their education in meaningful and lasting ways.

This grant category is reviewed by a selection committee before being awarded. Not all grant requests are awarded. This is also a reimbursement grant. Multi-School grants will have funds sent to the district business office. 

Award Distribution: 

• Up to $500.00 for a single teacher/licensed professional educator
• Up to $1,000.00 for 2 partner teachers/licensed professional educator
• Up to $2,000.00 for multi-school partner teachers/licensed professional

About CU Schools FoundationSince 1990, CU Schools Foundation has accepted applications from educators in the Champaign and Urbana public schools, and awarded MORE THAN A MILLION DOLLARS based on these proposals. We fund a broad spectrum of projects to help children of all ages and all levels of accomplishment.Be Like Bennett GrantThis grant, in honor of the late State Senator Scott Bennett, helps the community by empowering youth with initiatives that embrace and celebrate diversity. Two $500 grants will be awarded each year. 

About CU Schools Foundation

Since 1990, CU Schools Foundation has accepted applications from educators in the Champaign and Urbana public schools, and awarded MORE THAN A MILLION DOLLARS based on these proposals. We fund a broad spectrum of projects to help children of all ages and all levels of accomplishment.Vincent O. Greene Grant (Math, Accounting & Financial Literacy)The Vincent O. Greene Grants are funded through a gift from the estate of Mr. Vincent O. Greene. To honor Mr. Greene’s passion for education, CUSF established this grant to enhance education in the area of financial literacy, math, business, accounting, finance or similar fields of study. K-12 teachers in both districts can apply for $500.00 to $4,000.00 in funding to implement projects in financial literacy, accounting, math and similar subject areas. 

About CU Schools FoundationSince 1990, CU Schools Foundation has accepted applications from educators in the Champaign and Urbana public schools, and awarded MORE THAN A MILLION DOLLARS based on these proposals. We fund a broad spectrum of projects to help children of all ages and all levels of accomplishment.Career Awareness GrantsThis grant supports career exploration in K-12. Grants are from $500.00 to $3,000.00. Collaboration with community partners (industry, university, businesses, etc.) is encouraged.  

Friends of NRA

Friends of NRA is the National Rifle Association’s premier fundraising program, supporting the future of shooting sports. Since day one, Friends of NRA has been a 100% grassroots effort fueled by a united front to secure the Second Amendment and raise money for the shooting sports.

Committee volunteers are appointed to State Fund Committees to make recommendations for local grant funding in areas such as youth education, women-focused clinics, law enforcement training, hunter safety, range improvement, firearms and marksmanship training and safety. Recognizing the impact American youth has on the future of the shooting sports, State Fund Committees frequently recommend grants for youth programs, allocating the most significant portion of monies to this vital area.

Grant awards fund activities and support programs in the United States to promote firearms and hunting safety, to enhance marksmanship skills of those in the shooting sports, and to educate the public about firearms in their historic, technological and artistic context.

Friends of NRA State Fund Grant Program - Illinois

The Friends of NRA State Fund Grant Program provides supplies, equipment, and financial support to a variety of qualified groups and programs at the local level; geared towards youth, women, law enforcement, veterans, the disabled, and the general public, including:

• General shooting programs
• Competitive shooting
• Education, training and safety
• Hunting and conservation
• Community outreach
• Historical education

Grant funding must be used to further a charitable purpose as defined by the Internal Revenue Code under section 501(c)(3) and accompanying rules, regulations, and other IRS law and materials.