Funding search · environmental education · Illinois
Who funds environmental education work in Illinois
14 funders have a record of paying for environmental education work by Illinois recipients: 37 grants totaling $2.6M, most recently in 2024 — mostly grantmaking charities, which often run real application cycles. The largest by matched giving are Dr Scholl Foundation ($45,000), Earth Force ($149,216) and Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation ($518,366).
From IRS Form 990-PF and 990 Schedule I filings, 2019–2025. Grants already paid to Illinois recipients — evidence of what these funders back, not open calls.
Largest: $10,000 to Friends of the Chicago River — environmental education along the chicago river for k-12 students
Earth ForceDenver, COCharity · may take applications
4 matching grants · $149,216 · through 2024Largest: $46,990 to Environmental Education Assoc — rise challenge subaward
Illinois Clean Energy Community FoundationChicago, ILCharity · may take applications
3 matching grants · $518,366 · through 2023Largest: $307,720 to Lake County Forest Preserve District — net-zero energy environmental education center at ryerson conservation area
The Chicago Community TrustChicago, ILCharity · may take applications
3 matching grants · $97,000 · through 2022Largest: $65,000 to Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance — $10,000: support for k-12 environmental education; $50,000: support for children's garden, annual support
League of Conservation Voters EducationWashington, DCCharity · may take applications
4 matching grants · $520,800 · through 2024Largest: $286,000 to ILLINOIS ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL EDUCATION FUND — environmental education, engagement, and/or capacity building
Largest: $10,000 to ECOLOGIC — environmental education
Sustainable Forestry InitiativeWashington, DCCharity · may take applications
3 matching grants · $25,035 · through 2024Largest: $11,000 to ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ASSOC OF ILLINOIS — capacity building for environmental education
North American Association for Environmental EducaWashington, DCCharity · may take applications
2 matching grants · $68,494 · through 2024Largest: $58,494 to SEVERSON DELLS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION — environmental education projects
League of Conservation VotersWashington, DCCharity · may take applications
3 matching grants · $1.1M · through 2023Largest: $629,000 to ILLINOIS ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL — environmental education, capacity building, and advocacy
Largest: $10,000 to SHEDD AQUARIUM SOCIETY — learning and community program: environmental education access initiative
Largest: $2,500 to ENVIRONMENTAL LAW AND POLICY — environmental education
Largest: $25,000 to URBAN GROWERS COLLECTIVE — environmental education
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Start with one paperBroader: environmental education funders nationally · all Illinois-based grantmakers