City of Naperville Seeks Applicants for 2026 Grant Opportunities

The City of Naperville will soon accept applications for four grant programs to fund 2026 projects. The City will award federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) money and city-funded grants for Special Events & Community Arts (SECA), Social Services Grants (SSG) and Opioid Remediation.

The federal CDBG provides funding for housing, community development and infrastructure projects. Naperville’s SECA grant supports cultural and artistic initiatives. SSG aids organizations providing essential social services to residents, and Opioid Remediation grants support efforts to combat the opioid crisis.

“This is a call to action for Naperville organizations. There’s more than $2 million of funding available through City of Naperville grant programs,” said Community Grants Coordinator Miranda Barfuss. “Organizations can use this funding to improve our community and address important needs. Our goal is to make the grant process as clear and easy as possible. I encourage all interested groups to attend a workshop to learn more.”

Workshops and Application Details

City staff will host workshops to review eligibility, funding criteria, application processes and submission requirements. No registration is required, and the workshops will be held in Council Chambers of the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St. at these times:

• SECA Workshops (applicants must have a representative attend one of two mandatory workshops)
  • 10 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 21
  • 6 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 25

• CDBG, SSG and Opioid Remediation Pre-Application Workshop (Optional)
  • 11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 11

SECA applications open Sept. 5 and are due by noon on Oct. 3. Applications for SSG and Opioid Remediation open on Sept. 11 and are due by 5 p.m. on Oct. 10. CDBG applications, also opening Sept. 11, are due by 5 p.m. on Oct. 24. Evaluation and scoring criteria will be shared at the workshops to help applicants strengthen their submissions.

2026 Grants for Community Impact

Organizations may submit multiple applications for each grant program. Funding decisions for SSG, Opioid Remediation, and CDBG grants are based on transparent scoring criteria. All grants are reimbursement-based, requiring grantees to submit a Request for Payment form with expense documentation. Grantees can request a lump sum payment or payments in increments as expenses occur.

The Naperville grant programs have a wide-ranging impact. Examples include SSG funding for mental health counseling services for Naperville youth; a CDBG grant for a roof replacement on a Community Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA) in Naperville, which provides housing for four adults with severe physical disabilities; an Opioid Remediation Grant that supported treatment services for people with substance use disorder; and SECA funding for a full performance season for a Naperville nonprofit theater company.

For further information or questions, contact Miranda Barfuss at 630-305-5315 or barfussm@naperville.il.us.

About Naperville: Located 28 miles west of Chicago, Naperville, Ill., is home to approximately 150,000 people. This vibrant, thriving city consistently ranks as a top community in the nation in which to live, raise children and retire. The city is home to acclaimed public and parochial schools, the best public library system in the country, an array of healthcare options and an exceptionally low crime rate. Naperville has ready access to a variety of public transportation, housing and employment options. The city’s diversified employer base features high technology firms, retailers and factories, as well as small and home-based businesses. Residents also enjoy world-class parks, diverse worship options, the opportunity to serve on several City boards and commissions, a thriving downtown shopping and dining area, a renowned outdoor history museum known as Naper Settlement and an active civic community. For more information, please visit our website at www.naperville.il.us.