SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) has announced $9.3 million in Innovative Bridge and Transition (IBT) Grants to support initiatives that help Illinois residents transition more effectively into postsecondary education, job training, and high-demand careers. These grants, awarded to community colleges and partner organizations across the state, expand access to bridge programming, adult education pathways, wrap-around supports, and transition services designed to meet the needs of today’s learners and employers.
“The Innovative Bridge and Transition Grant Program continues to be one of our most powerful tools for opening doors to education and career opportunities across Illinois,” said ICCB Executive Director Brian Durham. “These grants allow our colleges to build strong, seamless pathways that help learners gain the skills they need, connect with in-demand industries, and ultimately achieve long-term economic mobility.”
The IBT Grant Program supports projects that serve adults and youth who may face academic, linguistic, or socioeconomic barriers to college and career entry. Through targeted instruction, advising, and hands-on training, the program ensures students can successfully move from foundational learning into certificate, degree, and workforce programs.
A list of this years IBT grantees are below:
FY26 Innovative Bridge and Transitions Grant Awards
| Grant Recipient | Award Amount |
| Black Hawk College | $202,220.59 |
| Carl Sandburg College | $148,000.00 |
| City Colleges of Chicago | $262,500.00 |
| College of Lake County | $235,541.62 |
| Greater West Community Development Proj. | $210,369.60 |
| Hana Center | $126,000.00 |
| Heartland Community College | $253,766.10 |
| Illinois Central College | $162,000.00 |
| Illinois Valley Community College | $166,500.00 |
| iMentor | $331,772.93 |
| Jane Addams Resource Corp. | $310,500.00 |
| John Wood Community College | $264,083.20 |
| Kaskaskia College | $50,724.90 |
| Lake Land College | $60,751.04 |
| LEAP | $159,360.80 |
| Lewis & Clark Community College | $158,312.00 |
| Lincoln Land Community College | $300,000.00 |
| Little Friends | $167,905.00 |
| Love, Unity, and Values Institution | $250,047.00 |
| McHenry County College | $320,433.30 |
| Metropolitan Family Services | $298,800.00 |
| Moraine Valley Community College | $240,000.00 |
| Northern IL University | $199,807.94 |
| Oakton College | $270,704.59 |
| Parents Alliance Employment Project | $119,611.80 |
| PODER | $350,000.00 |
| Polish American Association | $202,500.00 |
| Project VISION | $209,218.00 |
| Pui Tak Center | $102,320.33 |
| Rock Valley College | $337,500.00 |
| Regional Office of Education #33 | $229,302.40 |
| Regional Office of Education #47 | $337,500.00 |
| Safer Foundation | $295,490.00 |
| Shawnee Community College | $262,500.00 |
| Southwestern IL College | $337,451.40 |
| Township HS District #113 | $90,000.00 |
| Trellus – Asian Human Services | $300,000.00 |
| Urbana School District #116 | $153,822.60 |
| Waubonsee Community College | $140,853.00 |
| William Rainey Harper College | $374,990.00 |
| World Relief – Chicago | $300,000.00 |
“Our community colleges continue to innovate and collaborate to ensure more Illinoisans can access and succeed in postsecondary education,” added Durham. “The IBT program helps us remove barriers so learners can take the next step toward a meaningful and fulfilling career.”
The FY2026 grants will support a range of initiatives, including adult education bridge courses, high school-to-college transition programming, career pathway expansion, student support services, and partnerships that connect learning to real employment opportunities.
About the Illinois Community College Board
The Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) is the state coordinating organization for the Illinois Community College System – the third largest in the country and the leading public workforce development trainer in the state. Illinois community colleges serve over 600,000 residents each year in credit, noncredit, and continuing education courses. Illinois is home to 45 colleges in 39 community college districts which provide high quality, accessible, cost-effective educational opportunities to the entire state.
