The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL) will accept applications for the Neighborhood Grants Program starting March 1! This program is open to neighborhood-based groups and nonprofit organizations operating in Boone, Ogle, Stephenson, and Winnebago Counties. A unique feature of this grant program is that while the groups applying should be organized for a charitable purpose, they do not need to be registered 501c3s. 

The Neighborhood Grants Program funds neighborhood-focused and resident-led projects, including but not limited to beautification, crime prevention, surveys, clean ups, newsletters, organizing, reforestation, and resident-focused education. The maximum award per project is $2,500. Awards will be announced in May.

CFNIL staff will host an informational webinar to learn more about this grant program and answer questions from attendees on Tuesday, March 5 at 6:00pm. The webinar will be provided live via Zoom. Please RSVP HERE to confirm your attendance and receive the webinar link.

Applications must be submitted through CFNIL’s online grants application portal by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 1, 2024. To learn more about the program, view grant guidelines, and start your application, visit: https://cfnil.org/grants/neighborhood. 

Past year’s recipients include African American Resource Center, Comprehensive Community Solutions, Coronado Haskell Neighborhood Association, Edgewater Neighborhood Association, Greater Freeport Partnership, Northwest Neighbors, Rock Valley College, SecondFirst Church, Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity, Rockford Park District Foundation, and the Village of Poplar Grove.  
CFNIL has operated a neighborhood grants program since 1995, distributing nearly $1M to build better neighborhoods in Rockford and beyond.