Volunteer with CFNIL

Community Investment, Community Driven. 

Volunteers are an essential part of CFNIL's work. Scholarship Reviewers read applications and recommend recipients for every CFNIL scholarship. Grant Reviewers read grant proposals and make recommendations for awards from CFNIL's Community Grants Program

All prospective reviewers are asked to attend an in-person Volunteer Recruitment session to learn more about the Community Foundation and their role. While much of the work of a reviewer is completed at home, all reviewers also participate in in-person committee meetings to discuss and compare the applications they have reviewed. As a result of these requirements and the need for familiarity with the communities of northern Illinois, all reviewers must be current residents of Boone, Ogle, Stephenson, or Winnebago County. Occasional exceptions may be made at staff discretion for non-resident scholarship fund representatives.

Scholarship Reviewers recommend recipients for scholarship funds by reading and scoring applications based on a set of criteria established by the fund’s donor. Scholarship Reviewers typically commit 15-20 hours to the scholarship process in the spring.

PROCESS:

  1. Attend an introductory “Volunteer Recruitment” meeting to learn more about CFNIL and the scholarship program.
  2. Review and score batch of applications online.
  3. Attend one in-person meeting to discuss scores with a small committee and recommend recipients.

IMPORTANT DATES FOR SCHOLARSHIP REVIEWERS

Volunteer Recruitment MeetingJanuary 25, 2024
Main/Winter Scholarship Application ClosesFebruary 1, 2024
Scholarship Reviewer TrainingsMid-February 2024
Selection Committee MeetingsMarch - April 2024
Scholarship Recipients AnnouncedMay 1, 2024
Volunteer Recruitment MeetingMay 2, 2024
Scholarship Award NightJune 20, 2024
Volunteer Recruitment MeetingSeptember 5, 2024
Main/Winter Scholarship Application opensDecember 1, 2024
Community Scholarship FairDecember 3, 2024

Login to Scholarship Reviewer Portal

Grant Reviewers read and assess grant requests and recommend grant awards for proposals submitted through the Community Grants Program. Grant Reviewers typically commit 15-20 hours to the grants process in the fall.

PROCESS:

  1. Attend an introductory “Vounteer Recruitment” meeting to learn more about CFNIL and the Community Grants program.
  2. Assigned to a grant focus area committee.
  3. Review and score a batch of applications online.
  4. Attend one in-person meeting to discuss applications with the focus area committee and recommend recipients.

IMPORTANT DATES FOR GRANT REVIEWERS

Volunteer Recruitment MeetingJanuary 25, 2024
Volunteer Recruitment MeetingMay 2, 2024
Community Grant Application OpensJune 14, 2024
Community Grant Application ClosesAugust 15, 2024
Volunteer Recruitment MeetingSeptember 5, 2024
Grant Reviewer TrainingsMid-September 2024
Application Open for ReviewSeptember 2024
Grant Review Committee MeetingsOctober 2024
Board Approves RecommendationsNovember 13, 2024

Login to Grant Advisor Portal

Ready to sign up to volunteer as a CFNIL Scholarship or Grant Reviewer? 
Complete the Volunteer Interest Form!

>> Access CFNIL Volunteer Interest Form <<

Questions about being a Scholarship or Grant Reviewer? Contact Lisa!

Lisa DeLang, Program and Administrative Associate, headshot
Lisa DeLang
Program and Administrative Associate
Phone: 815-210-8210
Email: Lisa DeLang