The Envisioning Justice Grants for Individuals is a funding opportunity administered by Illinois Humanities. These project-based grants provide up to $5,000 for individuals who use arts and humanities to explore and challenge the effects of mass incarceration in Illinois. The grants are designed for educators, organizers, artists, and others who are contributing to a more just society through creative and public-facing initiatives such as research, podcasts, grassroots publications, and performances.

The 2025 grant cycle opens on April 18, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. and closes at 5:00 p.m. on June 30, 2025. Applicants may only submit one application per cycle. Funded activities should not begin until 12 weeks after the deadline, allowing adequate time for the grant review and award process. The review process itself takes approximately six weeks. During this time, applicants may be contacted for additional information to support their proposal. Award notifications typically follow within one to two weeks after the review, and grant agreements are issued and signed soon after. Grant funds are generally released two to three weeks after agreements are finalized. A final report is required within 30 days of the project’s conclusion.

Eligible applicants are individuals residing in Illinois, especially those from areas such as East St. Louis, Decatur, Carbondale, Galesburg, Urbana-Champaign, and the Bloomington-Normal Metro Area. Priority is given to projects that are regional or statewide in scope, partnership-oriented, and that center the experiences of marginalized groups affected by mass incarceration. These groups include, but are not limited to, currently or formerly incarcerated individuals, justice-involved youth, women of color, LGBTQAI+ individuals, migrants, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Projects that serve communities with high incarceration rates or those undergoing demographic changes due to the criminal legal system are also prioritized.

No matching funds are required for this grant. However, applicants must be up-to-date on any reporting requirements for prior Illinois Humanities grants. Applications must be submitted through the Foundant online portal. Once registered, applicants can preview the application questions in PDF form to aid preparation but must submit through the portal itself.

Illinois Humanities also offers an alternative application method for individuals unfamiliar with grant writing. Applicants may request an interview with a staff member to present their proposal. These interviews must be scheduled at least three weeks before the deadline, and participants are expected to be well-prepared with detailed plans regarding their project’s timeline, budget, and intended audience.

For assistance or inquiries, applicants can contact Tony Pizarro, Program Manager, at ejustice@ilhumanities.org or call (312) 374-1565.