HEALING ILLINOIS: Building a bridge to a racially equitable Illinois

Healing Illinois

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED

Healing Illinois, an initiative of the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), managed in partnership with the Field Foundation, has reopened for a 2025-2026 grant cycle and will distribute more than $4.3 million in grants to nonprofits to foster racial healing and community healing statewide.

Since its launch in 2020, Healing Illinois has funded community-driven healing initiatives across Illinois with nonprofits developing community programming and creating infrastructure for long-term healing. Together, these projects are helping to change the narrative of what's possible when Illinoisans come together to listen, learn and heal.

In the 2024-2025 grant cycle, Healing Illinois invested more than $4 million in 28 counties, supporting healing activities that engaged more than 17,000 Illinois residents. With a focus on community resilience and highlighting stories of how communities overcome challenges and bridge lines of difference, the 2025-2026 cycle aims to expand its reach to more than 20,000 people in 30 counties.

The Healing Illinois 2025-2026 Grant Opportunity is now open! Learn About the 2025-2026 Sub-grant Opportunity.

Healing Illinois supports projects that:

Bring people together across cultures, generations, and geographies.

Create safe and inclusive spaces for dialogue, reflection, and belonging.

Share and celebrate stories that honor the diverse experiences of Illinois residents.

Strengthen local and statewide connections that advance racial healing.

Projects should be ready to implement quickly and be completed within 7-8 months, with funds spent by June 30, 2026.

Funding Priorities:

Healing Illinois funds projects through three interconnected priorities:

1. Healing Through Narrative:

Storytelling helps us see one another more fully. This category supports projects that share untold, erased, or misunderstood stories - illuminating truth, resilience, and hope through oral histories, creative arts, or community-based storytelling.

2. Healing Through Dialogue:

Healing happens in relationships. This category funds projects that bring people together across race, culture, and geography to build trust, empathy, and shared purpose through healing circles, peace circles, or dialogue-based events.

3. Healing Through Place:

Communities carry history in their landmarks, parks, and gathering spaces. This category supports projects that reimagine or reclaim community spaces as sites for remembrance, reflection, and renewal - helping residents see their stories reflected in the places they share.

Apply for Funding:

Applications open October 20, 2025 and close November 7, 2025, at 11:59 PM CST.

All proposals must be submitted through the Field Foundation's online application portal.

Applications will be automatically routed to the appropriate regional intermediary or statewide partner based on the applicant's county or project scope.

Important Dates:

Application Opens | October 20, 2025

Information Session #1 | October 23, 2025 | 1:00-2:30PM | Click here to register. Click here to see the video presentation for Info Session #1.

Office Hours #1| October 27, 2025 | 10:00-12:00PM | Click here to register.

Information Session #2 | October 28, 2025 | 11:00-12:30PM | Click here to register.

Office Hours #2 | November 4, 2025 | 1:00-3:00PM | Click here to register.

Application Deadline | November 7, 2025, 11:59 PM CST

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED

Attending info sessions or office hours is optional but encouraged. These sessions help applicants understand the RFP, eligibility, and application process.

Grant Awards:

Total Estimated Funding Pool: $4.3 million

Typical Regional Awards: $10,000-$20,000

Multi-Regional / Statewide Awards: $20,000-$40,000

Funding Period: November 2025 - June 2026

Eligibility

Applicants must:

Be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State, or a public agency (school, library, park district, or municipality).

Serve Illinois residents.

Have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) on SAM.GOV

Submit only one proposal for the 2025-2026 cycle.

Community-based or unincorporated groups may apply with a fiscal sponsor that meets GATA requirements. Learn more about GATA compliance.