The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL) and NW HomeStart are proud to announce the recipients of the 2020 Neighborhood Grants Program. The grants will be awarded to 11 groups and organizations (listed below) working to improve the quality of life in their communities at the neighborhood level. The grants are worth $22,300. In order to ensure the safety of all parties involved, we have opted out of holding a grant reception this year. Instead, checks will be personally delivered to each of this year’s awardees.

CFNIL has operated a neighborhood grants program since 1995, distributing more than $743,998 to build better neighborhoods in Rockford. This is the fifth year the two organizations are collaborating to expand the availability of funds to neighborhood-based groups across the four-county region.

Recipients of the Neighborhood Grants Program must be nonprofits or neighborhood-based organizations operating in Boone, Ogle, Stephenson or Winnebago County. The Neighborhood Grants Program will fund neighborhood projects, including but not limited to beautification, summer programs, food handouts, clean ups, reforestation, and resident-focused education. The maximum award from the Neighborhood Grants Program is $2,500. View photos taken with this year's grant recipients!

2020 Neighborhood Grants Recipients

Jeremiah Development NFP | Rockford - 61101
$1,170 for "Building Relationships & Igniting Leadership”
To promote relationship and leadership building throughout the Coronado Haskell Neighborhoods

SecondFirst Church | Rockford - 61101
$2,500 for "Serious Soup Kitchen at SecondFirst Church”
To increase the number of people they can feed

Project 1013 | ­­Rockford - 61108
$2,500 for "Project 1013”
To serve, hand out food, and improve the living conditions in the community of Ellis Heights

Churchill’s Grove, Inc | Rockford - 61103
$2,500 for "Beautification of Veterans Memorial Circle and surrounding area”
To transform Veterans Memorial and restore it as a fitting tribute to Winnebago County veterans

Soar Assembly | Rockford - 61102
$1,380 for "Soar Taking on Salter Ave”
To revitalize and brighten the area

Rock House Kids | Rockford - 61104
$2,500 for "Rock House Kids Mural”
To enhance the appearance of 7th Street in Midtown

Loves Park Pulse | Loves Park - 61111
$2,500 for "Oak Crest Subdivision Neighborhood Gateway”
To enhance the overall image of subdivisions with improved neighborhood signs, lighting and landscaping

Winnebago Community Historical Society | Winnebago – 61088
$1,200 for "Renewal of Veterans Memorial Park”
To rejuvenate the Veterans Memorial Park with perennial plantings and lawn care

Rockford Park District Foundation | Rockford - 61101
$2,500 for "The RPD In A Box” initiative
To help bring Rockford Park District various programs to youth, while still adhering to “Shelter In Place”

Rock Valley College | Rockford - 61114
$1,050 for "Camp STAR”
To provide the children living in Fairgrounds Development with a week-long theatre/art camp

Ethnic Village Neighborhood | Rockford - 61102
$2,500 for "Planting Hope”
To support the beautification of south Rockford’s Ethnic Village Neighborhood