Community Opportunities
To support unexpected opportunities and emergency needs of organizations in Northern Illinois.
To support unexpected opportunities and emergency needs of organizations in Northern Illinois.
501c3 nonprofits located in and/or serving Boone, Ogle, Stephenson, and Winnebago Counties.
501c3 nonprofits located in and/or serving Boone, Ogle, Stephenson, and Winnebago Counties.
The Community Opportunities Grant Program was created by CFNIL’s Board of Trustees to provide the Foundation with flexible funding to respond to emerging opportunities and unforeseen crises. Typically $30,000 is allocated per fiscal year for this program and funds are available until depleted. Because the funds available are limited, the criteria are very specific. Organizations considering applying should first contact Senior Program Director James Patterson at jpatterson@cfnil.org or 779-210-8206 to discuss their proposal.
Proposals to the Community Opportunities program must meet one or more of the following criteria/scenarios:
- An emergency that immediately impacts an organization’s ability to serve their clients. Funding, either alone or with other secured funds, must solve the crisis. Funds are not intended to be used for standard operating expenses.
- An unforeseen, time-sensitive opportunity that will benefit a broad constituency beyond the applying organization and its clients.
- An opportunity to leverage matching grant dollars for a charitable activity.
- Applicants may request up to $5,000 in each application.
- Organizations can receive one Community Opportunities grant per year and may not submit an application in two consecutive years.
- All applications are subject to CFNIL’s Community Grant Eligibility and Requirements guidelines.
Community Opportunities applicants should use this budget template when submitting their application:
Budget Template for Community Opportunities Grants
