Grant Directory

Verified government funding opportunities

Grants in Illinois

Illinois statewide grants & funding programs

Explore active funding opportunities from state agencies, cities, and local partners across Illinois. Filter by category, agency, or keyword to find grants that match your project, business, or community.

18 programs currently listed in Illinois • Updated daily

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Jump straight to Illinois grants filtered by focus area.

Latest opportunities (18)

City of Chicago Dept. of HousingILFirst-Time HomeownerCity of Chicago purchase-price assistance program that provides a large subsidy applied directly to the purchase price of newly constructed or substantially rehabilitated homes in targeted neighborhoods for income-eligible first-time buyers.

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

Significant purchase-price assistance targeted at first-time buyers in Chicago to lower barriers in expensive markets and promote new construction/infills.

Eligible for: First-time homebuyers, income-eligible, purchasing newly constructed or rehabbed home in city limits, complete required trainings.

Funding: Offers up to 100,000 dollars in purchase-price assistance that reduces the upfront cost and mortgage amount for qualifying buyers, with exact subsidy and long-term affordability terms determined by City of Chicago program guidelines.Deadline: Rolling / subject to availabilityRollingCity (Chicago, Illinois)homebuyerfirst-time homebuyerlow-income homebuyermoderate-income homebuyerIllinois homebuyerChicago homebuyerpurchase price assistancedown payment assistanceclosing cost assistancecity programnew constructionrehabbed homeslarge assistance amount

Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) ChicagoILFirst-Time HomeownerNonprofit-administered purchase assistance grant program that layers forgivable down payment and closing cost support on top of a first mortgage for buyers in designated Chicago neighborhoods, especially Micro Market Recovery Program (MMRP) areas.

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

Targeted grant assistance for down payment/closing costs for homebuyers in specific Chicago neighborhoods, intended to support neighborhood revitalization and reduce purchase cost barriers.

Eligible for: First-time homebuyers or eligible households buying in certain Chicago “MMRP” areas, income limits up to 120% AMI, complete homebuyer educat…

Funding: Provides up to 30,000 dollars in purchase assistance grants that can be used toward down payment and closing costs, with funds generally forgivable when buyers comply with occupancy and program requirements in the targeted neighborhoods.Deadline: Rolling / while funds lastRollingCity (Chicago, Illinois – designated Micro Market Recovery Program areas)homebuyerfirst-time homebuyerlow-income homebuyermoderate-income homebuyerIllinois homebuyerChicago homebuyerdown payment assistanceclosing cost assistancegrantforgivable assistanceneighborhood revitalizationnonprofit program

Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA)ILFirst-Time HomeownerState housing finance agency mortgage platform that offers 30-year fixed-rate IHDA mortgages bundled with several tiers of down payment and closing cost assistance, structured as forgivable, deferred, or repayable second loans.

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

Comprehensive homebuyer support program offering low-interest 30-year fixed mortgages paired with down-payment/closing-cost assistance of up to $10,000 via forgivable, deferred, or repayable structures—making homeownership more accessible in Illinois.

Eligible for: Rolling / funds available

Funding: Provides multiple assistance options that can offer up to 4 percent of the purchase price (around 6,000 dollars) as a forgivable loan, up to 5 percent (around 7,500 dollars) as a 0 percent deferred loan, or up to 10 percent (around 10,000 dollars) as an interest-free repayable loan amortized over 10 years, all to help cover down payment and closing costs.RollingStatewide (Illinois)homebuyerfirst-time homebuyerrepeat homebuyerlow-income homebuyermoderate-income homebuyerIllinois homebuyerdown payment assistanceclosing cost assistancesecond mortgageforgivable loandeferred loanrepayable loanstate housing finance agency program

Town of Normal Housing & Community DevelopmentILFirst-Time HomeownerLocal down payment assistance program that offers a modest zero-interest, forgivable second loan to help income-eligible buyers cover down payment and closing costs on owner-occupied homes in the Town of Normal.

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

Local program aimed at increasing homeownership by helping qualified homebuyers with upfront costs in the Town of Normal through modest assistance and favorable loan terms.

Eligible for: Income at or below 80% AMI, home must be owner-occupied single-family within the Town of Normal, minimum contribution $1,000 remains in bank…

Funding: Provides up to 5,000 dollars in assistance as a 0 percent interest loan that is forgiven over a five-year period when the buyer continues to occupy the home and complies with program requirements, with funds usable toward both down payment and closing costs.Deadline: Rolling / until funds exhausted. RollingTown (Normal, Illinois)homebuyerlow-income homebuyerIllinois homebuyerNormal homebuyerdown payment assistanceclosing cost assistanceforgivable loan0 percent interesttown program

City of Chicago Dept. of HousingILFirst-Time HomeownerCity of Chicago Department of Housing umbrella of homebuyer assistance programs that combine purchase price subsidies, down payment and closing cost help, and required homebuyer education for income-eligible buyers purchasing within city limits.

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

A suite of homebuyer assistance programs offered by Chicago that include down payment/closing cost support, purchase price subsidies and homebuyer education.

Eligible for: First-time homebuyers in Chicago, income/credit eligibility, purchase within city limits, complete homebuyer education.

Funding: Provides access to multiple Chicago assistance options, including programs that can offer up to roughly 100,000 dollars in purchase price assistance as well as additional down payment and closing cost support, with exact amounts and structures varying by specific Department of Housing program and available funding.Deadline: Rolling, funds until exhaustedVariesCity (Chicago, Illinois)homebuyerfirst-time homebuyerlow-income homebuyermoderate-income homebuyerIllinois homebuyerChicago homebuyerdown payment assistanceclosing cost assistancepurchase price assistancecity programmultiple programshomebuyer education requiredprogram directory

City of Joliet Neighborhood Services DivisionILFirst-Time HomeownerCity-administered zero-interest, deferred-payment second mortgage that provides a percentage of the home purchase price to help eligible buyers cover down payment and closing costs on homes within Joliet city limits.

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

Local down payment assistance for eligible buyers in Joliet to reduce upfront cost barriers via city-administered program.

Eligible for: Low- to moderate-income homebuyers purchasing single-family, townhouse or condo in Joliet city limits, with minimum own fund contribution.

Funding: Provides a minimum of 1,000 dollars and up to 20 percent of the home purchase price in assistance structured as a zero-interest, deferred second loan that can be used toward down payment and closing costs, with repayment generally triggered by sale, refinance, or other program-defined events.Deadline: Rolling / until funds exhaustedRollingCity (Joliet, Illinois)homebuyerlow-income homebuyermoderate-income homebuyerIllinois homebuyerJoliet homebuyerdown payment assistanceclosing cost assistance0 percent interestdeferred second mortgagecity program

First-time homebuyer? Start with this guide.

This downloadable workbook walks you through grants, timelines, and checklists so you can buy with confidence in Illinois.

Recommended Resource

First-Time Homebuyer Starter Pack (2025 Edition)

A complete first-time homebuyer toolkit: 9 checklists, timelines, grant guidance, worksheets + editable Excel/Google Sheet budget & affordability calculator.

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