The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL) is excited to announce the opening of the Community Grants Program application for the 2023 cycle. Nonprofits providing services in Boone, Ogle, Stephenson, and Winnebago Counties are invited to apply via CFNIL’s online application portal until 5:00pm on Tuesday, August 15 (815 Day!).

Community Grants proposals will be accepted in the areas of Arts & Humanities, Career Pathways, Complementary Education, Health, Human Services, Sustainable Communities, and Youth & Families. Applications will be accepted from 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, religious institutions, units of government, and public universities/colleges. The proposals must describe charitable activities provided for the benefit of residents in Boone, Ogle, Stephenson, or Winnebago Counties.  

The Community Grants Program application is open until 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 15. All applications must be submitted through CFNIL’s online grants application portal. To access the portal and learn more about the Community Grants program, interested applicants should visit https://cfnil.org/community.

“The Community Grants Program is CFNIL’s largest and broadest grantmaking program, poised to make over $1.6 million in awards this year,” said Dan Ross, CFNIL President. “It is a privilege to support a diverse range of programs and projects that directly impact and improve the lives of thousands of northern Illinois residents every year, and to support the exceptional work of our region’s nonprofits.”

To provide more information about the Community Grants Program and answer questions about the application process, CFNIL staff will host two Grantseekers Meetings. Each session will include identical content. Attendance is not mandatory, but encouraged for organizations that will be completing their first CFNIL Community Grants application.

• Grantseekers Session 1: Thursday, June 22, 3:30 – 5:00 p.m., in person, Nicholas Conservatory (1354 N 2^nd Street, Rockford)
• Grantseekers Session 2: Friday, June 23, 9:00 – 10:30 a.m., VIRTUAL via Zoom

Learn more and register to attend one or more of the sessions at https://cfnil.org/community. A recording of the virtual session will be posted to CFNIL’s website following the meeting.