NW HomeStart and the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL) are accepting applications for the Neighborhood Grants Program until 5 p.m. on Monday, April 1. This program is available to neighborhood-based groups and nonprofit organizations operating in Boone, Ogle, Stephenson, and Winnebago Counties.

CFNIL has operated a neighborhood grants program since 1995, distributing more than $700,000 to build better neighborhoods in Rockford and beyond. This is the fourth year the CFNIL and HomeStart are collaborating to expand the opportunity to the four-county region.

Applications must be submitted through CFNIL’s Web Portal from now until April 1, 2019. HomeStart administers the Neighborhood Grants Program, including awarding the grant funds. To learn more about the application, grant guidelines, and how to apply, visit: cfnil.org/grants/neighborhood/.

Last year’s recipients included: Edgewater Neighborhood Association, Galapagos Rockford Charter School, Haight Village National Register Historic District, Natural Land Institute, North End Square, North Highland Square Neighborhood Association, ORCHiD—Third Union College Neighborhood Watch, River District Association, Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity, Rockford Park District, Rolling Green Association, Tabor Lutheran Church, and Youth Services Network.

Through the partnership, HomeStart will offer the chance for a team to attend the NeighborWorks Community Leadership Institute this fall. This event is geared toward citizens who are seeking to learn about neighborhood improvement strategies that can be put into practice in their own communities. Visit nwhomestart.org to learn more about the NeighborWorks Community Leadership Institute.