The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is seeking applications for its Future Energy Job Act Multi-Cultural Grant Program.
Donor Name: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
State: Illinois
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 07/01/2025
Size of the Grant: $500,000 to $1 million
Grant Duration: 2 Years
Details:
Through this NOFO, DCEO is making $4 million available for eligible applicants to provide skill development, supportive, and training services for qualified, traditionally underserved participants seeking employment in the clean energy industry.
The Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA) and Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) were created to stimulate job growth in the clean energy economy with investments in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and clean energy workforce development. The Multi-Cultural Jobs Program provides an opportunity to take action toward providing innovative, employer-driven training approaches that pair education and occupational training with work-based learning and supportive services to individuals in need of self-sustaining employment. It is the goal and objective of the Multi-Cultural Jobs Training program to implement job training programs that:
- Assist in the development of a workforce with the requisite knowledge, skills, training, experience, and competence to work in the clean energy sector.
- Ensure participation of targeted populations and communities
- Identify partnership opportunities within training programs to maximize the societal benefits.
Funding Information
Estimated Total Program Funding: $4,000,000
- Category A: $1,000,000
- Category B: $500,000
- Category C: $500,000
- Category D: $1,000,000
- Category E: $500,000
- Category F: $500,000.
Grant Period
Anticipated start date for awards is September 1, 2025. The period of performance is expected to be September 1, 2025, through August 31, 2027, with the potential for up to a 12-month no cost extension.
Eligibility Criteria
The Department will award funds to eligible organizations that demonstrate capacity to provide participants with individual development, economic, and/or career-related opportunities within the clean energy sector. Applicants must be a diversity-focused community organizations that has a record of successfully delivering job training and also meet the specific eligibility criteria listed below. In accordance with subsection (a)(3) of Section 16-108.12 of the Public Utilities Act (220 ILCS 5/16-108.12(a)(3)), the Multi-Cultural Jobs Program will fund one grant for each of the categories listed below. Applicants must indicate the specific category associated with each application. Applicants must select one category per application even if the applicant’s organization falls into more than one category.
plication even if the applicant’s organization falls into more than one category.
- CATEGORY A: Community-based civil rights and human services not-for-profit organization that provides economic development, human capital, and education program services.
- CATEGORY 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.
- CATEGORY 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.
- CATEGORY 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.
- CATEGORY 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.
- CATEGORY F: Non-profit organization that provides family services, housing education, job and career education opportunities that have successfully partnered with the electric industry on job training.
For more information, visit DCEO.
