CFNIL scholarships. 3 cycles, 127+ awards, one stop. Fall cycle november 1 - january 1. one application, three scholarships
We have worked hard to make applying for Community Foundation of Northern Illinois scholarships as simple and efficient as possible. There are three cycles, each with their own application and timeline (detailed below). Each cycle's application is accessed via CFNIL's online application portal.
iywt youth grants open now
The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois is now accepting applications for the In Youth We Trust (IYWT) youth grant program until 5:00 p.m. on November 16, 2023. 
find us
Our neighbors, the YMCA of Rock River Valley, have started a construction project to expand the exercise room area of their facility. Congratulations, YMCA! While the construction is in process, one of the access points to CFNIL will be blocked. This video gives you a literal walkthrough of how to make your way to our office, during construction and beyond! Thanks to Schmeling Construction for helping us get prepared before they break ground.
Tipsy History
Tipsy History at the Community Foundation of Northern IllinoisSeptember 28,   6-8pm​Join Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum staff at the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois on Thursday, September 28 from 6-8pm as we dive into crazy stories from our local history!Participants will receive 3 drink tickets for this two-hour, 21+ event. A walk-through of the historic Community Foundation building is included.Tickets: $25/person. Photo IDs are required at the door. 
Excalibur Excelsior nominations open now
This 815 Day includes a fantastic way to celebrate YOUR community champion: the nomination form for the 2023 Excalibur and Excelsior Awards, found at https://excaliburexcelsior.com/nominate
IYWT Council seeks 2023 2024 members
Are you or do you know a high-school-aged student who is looking for a leadership opportunity? Look no further than the In Youth We Trust Council!In Youth We Trust is a youth philanthropy program of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois. Established with a grant from the Ford Foundation in 1994 and endowed by a local donor, this program teaches grantmaking, volunteerism, and leadership skills to today’s youth, preparing them to be the positive change of tomorrow.
Picture of champagne flutes spilling gold glitter in background. Text reads Announcing the return of the Excalibur and Excelsior Awards, celebrating the best and brightest of northern Illinois
The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL), in partnership with the Rockford Register Star and the Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence (NICNE), is pleased to announce a new organizational collaboration that has facilitated the return of the Excalibur and Excelsior Awards.
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Whether this is your first time applying for a CFNIL Community Grant or your hundredth, we're here to help! CFNIL staff will host several opportunities for applicants to the 2023 Community Grants Program during the application open period. Three hands-on workshops will provide a walk-through and practical assistance with the Evaluation Plan and Budget components of the Community Grants application. Each session is identical, with a formal presentation, examples, and time to practice!
Community Grants Application 2023 now open
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!).
picture of a band playing on an outdoor stage in front of a crowd of people
The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois' Community Grants Program application will open June 20th, 2023. Nonprofits serving the people and places of Boone, Ogle, Stephenson, and Winnebago Counties are invited to apply for CFNIL's largest and broadest grantmaking program. 
graphic with green symbolizing grass at bottom and blue sky with white fluffy clouds above. At left, a graphic of a tree with branches stretching up and roots growing down. The word "Rooted." overlaid on the tree. At right, the words A community's beauty lies in its branches, but its strength lies in its roots. Announcing the CFNIL scholarship class of 2023. 186 awarded $430,000 thanks to generations of generosity.
The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL) is pleased to announce its 2023 scholarship recipients: 215 scholarships worth up to $429,677 to local students. The scholarships will support the post-secondary educational aspirations of 185 local students from 29 high schools.
the word JOB with a magnifying glass forming the letter "O". Text below reads We're Hiring! Program & Development Associate
CFNIL is Hiring! The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois seeks a Program and Development Associate to join our small but mighty team of committed nonprofit professionals. 
light green background. icon of a rooftop and windows, with the words Neighborhood Grants Program below. Text at bottom reads Application Open Now!
The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL) is now accepting applications for the Neighborhood Grants Program! 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. 
background a watercolor rainbow. group of smiling teenagers at center. Top left a logo for In Youth We Trust. Across the bottom the text reads Adult/Nonprofit Grants Open Now
The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois is now accepting applications for In Youth We Trust (IYWT) adult/nonprofit grants. The online application closes at 5:00 p.m. on April 3, 2023.
colorful graphic of school supplies at left. at right text reads DKG mini grants: grants for teachers from teachers. At bottom text reads 2023 recipients announced
The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL) is pleased to announce the 2023 DKG Mini Grant recipients. The DKG Mini Grant program was established by the Zeta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International whose members are women educators from Boone and Winnebago Counties and is funded by two endowments established in memory of local educators and Zeta members, Blanche J. Martin, and Lana P. Smith. 
Background top left half is pattern of hand drawn question marks. Background bottom right half is graphic of yellow lightbulbs. Text reads: What do Tennis Courts, School Uniforms, and Robots have in common? In Youth We Trust
In Youth We Trust, the youth philanthropy program of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, has announced the recipients of the 2023 IYWT Youth Grants cycle. Three youth-led groups will receive financial support for their projects which benefit their peers. The three groups and the projects for which they were awarded are as follows:
gold trees on a black background. text reads: February 25, 2023, you are invited to Black Winter - A Formal Gala in Celebration of Black Scholarship -
This Black History Month, Rockford is pulling out all the stops and celebrating the legacy and future of Black excellence in scholarship, leadership, and philanthropy at the one-of-a-kind Black Winter gala. Black Winter will be held at Rockford Art Museum (711 N Main Street) on Saturday, February 25th from 6:00 – 9:00pm.
Background image closeup of a snow-covered pine tree and pine cone. Text reads CFNIL Holiday Hours
CFNIL staff will be taking some time off for the holidays. The schedule between now and the new year is as follows:   Thursday, December 22: Working remotely due to winter storm Friday, December 23: Closed Monday, December 26: Closed Tuesday, December 27: Closed Wednesday, December 28: Open Thursday, December 29: Closed Friday, December 30: Closed We wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Picture of an older woman and a young boy, each wearing a bright yellow jacket, smiling at the camera. Text reads: $1.74M supporting good work in Northern Illinois. Announcing: 2022 - 2023 CFNIL Community Grants Awards
The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL) is feeling the festive spirit as we announce the recipients of Community Grants for the 2022 - 2023 program cycle: just shy of $1.74 million granted to 62 organizations in support of projects, programs, and events benefiting the people of Boone, Ogle, Stephenson, and Winnebago Counties.
Logo: Northern Illinois University Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence. Text reads: Announcing the launch of CollabLab
The Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence (NICNE) is officially launching its proven strategy for collaboration and innovation that identifies and implements solutions to the Rock River Valley’s social challenges.
bright colored classroom supplies such as pencils and rulers at the left border. Logo at right reads DKG Mini Grant Program: Grants for teachers, from teachers
Teachers seeking financial support for special classroom activities and materials are invited to apply for DKG Mini Grants, a unique program provided by teachers, for teachers!