Future Energy Jobs Act Multi-Cultural Jobs Program

Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity · State of Illinois

At a glance

Future Energy Jobs Act Multi-Cultural Jobs Program is an open Illinois state grant opportunity from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (State of Illinois). Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Individual awards are listed as $500K, with about 3 awards expected and $1.5M in total estimated funding. It is listed on the Illinois Catalog of State Financial Assistance. Cost sharing is not required.

Summary assembled from the official notice's fields. The official notice governs.

Key facts

Opened: Oct 24, 2025
Close date: Ongoing
Award floor: $500,000
Award ceiling: $500,000
Est. total funding: $1,500,000
Expected awards: 3
Matching funds: Not required
Funding instrument: Grant

Program details (as published on the Illinois Catalog of State Financial Assistance)

CSFA number: 420-30-2875
Program: Future Energy Jobs Act Multi-Cultural Jobs Program
Announcement type: Initial
Source of funding: State
Indirect costs allowed: Yes
Technical assistance session: No
Beneficiaries: Eligible participants include anyone 18 years of age or older and eligible to work in the state of Illinois. However, to align with the priority to ensure equitable statewide access to quality training, jobs, and economic opportunities across the clean energy sector, applicants should heavily prioritize serving: • Individuals who face barriers to employment such as low educational attainment, low levels of literacy, language barriers, etc. • Persons with prior involvement with the criminal legal system • Graduates of or currently enrolled in the foster care system • Individuals from Environmental Justice Communities • Displaced Energy Workers
Types of assistance: Project Grants
Deadline details: 6-15-22
Award procedures: Based on the merit review, applicants may be selected to enter into negotiations with the Department for a grant. The purpose of negotiations will be to arrive at acceptable grant terms, including budgetary and scope of work provisions, at which time the final decision to make a grant award will be made. The Department of Commerce reserves the right to request additional information from applicants for evaluation purposes. At its sole discretion, the Department reserves the right to reject all applications, reject individual applications for failure to meet any requirement, award in part or total, and waive minor defects and non-compliance

Who can apply

The source record does not list applicant types. See the official notice.

Additional information on eligibility (from the listing)

Any governmental, not-for-profit, educational institution or for-profit entity that meets one of the categories identified in A – F below and properly operating in accordance with Federal, State, and local law, in the state of Illinois may submit a proposal for consideration. Minority-owned and women-owned businesses are encouraged to apply. A. Community-based civil rights and human services not-for-profit organization that provides economic development, human capital, and education program services. B. Not-for-profit organization that is also an educational institution that offers training programs approved by the Illinois State Board of Education and United States Department of Education with the goal of providing workforce initiatives leading to economic independence. C. Not-for-profit organization dedicated to developing the educational and leadership capacity of minority youth through the operation of schools, youth leadership clubs and youth development centers. D. Not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing equal access to opportunities in the construction industry that offer training programs that include Occupational Safety and Health Administration 10 and 30 certifications, Environmental Protection Agency Renovation, Repair and Painting Certification, and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Green Associate Exam preparation courses. E. Non-profit organization that has a proven record of successfully implementing utility industry training programs, with expertise in creating programs that strengthen the economics of communities including technical training workshops and economic development through community and financial partners. F. Non-profit organization that provides family services, housing education, job and career education opportunities that have successfully partnered with the utility on electric industry job training.

Also named in the notice's eligibility text

501(c)(3) nonprofits
Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status
For-profit organizations (not small businesses)
Small businesses

Matched from the wording above by GrantsJunction — confirm in the full announcement.

Can your organization apply?

A quick check against the listed applicant types — other requirements in the notice still apply.

Based on the published notice. Review the official notice for complete eligibility requirements.

What it funds

Purpose and description as published on the Illinois Catalog of State Financial Assistance.

Summary

The Multi-Cultural Jobs Programs supports community-based, diversity focused organizations that strive to provide participants with development, economic or career-related opportunities within the clean energy sector. Grants will support services the Economic Development Regions that are environmental justice communities and/or underrepresented populations living in communities that are eligible to receive workforce services.

Objective

This program provides funding for multi-cultural jobs programs which may, but need not, be related to solar installation, over a period “not to exceed four years, by diversity-focused community organizations that have a record of successfully delivering job training.” 220 ILCS 5/16-108.12(a)(3).

Program terms

Subject to the applicable terms of the Future Energy Jobs Act and the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act PA 102-662.

Application procedures

Applicants must submit an application that includes the information that is outlined by the Notice of Funding Opportunity. Applicants must follow the format and submission instructions that are outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity.

How proposals are selected

Grant proposals will be reviewed on a competitive basis. Each proposal will be scored on a 100-point scale. The Department shall consider the following criteria when evaluating the application submittal: Capacity, Quality and Need. A team of professionals will complete the merit review of the applications and develop a funding recommendation. Decisions to award grants and the funding levels will be determined per application based upon compliance with the requirements of this NOFO.

Program record in the Illinois Catalog of State Financial Assistance ↗

Full announcement & documents

The full announcement has the complete rules — page limits, required attachments, evaluation criteria and any letter-of-intent dates. Files download directly from Illinois Catalog of State Financial Assistance.

Full notice of funding opportunityFull Announcement · Notice of Funding Opportunity (PDF)PDF

How to apply

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Read the program guidelinesThe agency's solicitation or guidelines set eligibility details, scoring criteria and required documents. Open ↗
Confirm eligibility and fitCheck your organization type and location (applicants are generally expected to be in Illinois).
Find out how to submitSee the agency's program page for the application portal or submission address. Open ↗
Prepare the application and budgetFollow the guidelines' format exactly; state programs often require specific forms and attachments.
Ask the program contact any questions earlyJohn Barr · john.w.barr@illinois.gov Open ↗
Submit while funds remainSubmit early and keep your submission confirmation.

Program contact (as published)

John Barr
john.w.barr@illinois.gov

Quick answers

How much funding is available through “Future Energy Jobs Act Multi-Cultural Jobs Program”?

Per the notice, individual awards are listed as $500k, total estimated program funding is $1,500,000 and the agency expects to make about 3 awards.

How do I apply for “Future Energy Jobs Act Multi-Cultural Jobs Program”?

Applications go directly to Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, not through GrantsJunction. Read the program guidelines on the agency's site first; state programs set their own forms and registration requirements.

Other open Illinois state opportunities, matched on agency, categories and wording.

OpenState of Illinois