Illinois Prairie Community Foundation (Community Grants)

Eligible organizations for the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation grants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, organizations with a fiscal sponsor that is a 501(c)(3), municipal, county, state, or federal government units (including public schools), nonprofit institutes of higher learning, and tax-exempt religious organizations or places of worship (programs must not proselytize).

Location: Programs must serve residents of McLean, DeWitt, Livingston, or Logan counties.

Project Scope: The project scope for the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation grant includes programs that:

• Focus on community services in areas like arts, culture, education, music education, health and wellness, youth, women and girls, and Jewish life and education.
• Operate in McLean, DeWitt, Livingston, or Logan counties (not necessarily serving all four counties).
• Align with the foundation's goal of fostering long-term, self-sufficient programs.
• Prioritize cooperation, collaboration, and measurable outcomes with a focus on practical, proven methods to address program goals.

The Illinois Prairie Community Foundation does not specify a fixed funding amount for grants on their general page. However, the foundation offers funding through multiple categories across two grant cycles (Spring and Fall). The specific amount of funding available will depend on the grant category, the scope of the project, and the resources available for the cycle. Applicants are encouraged to consult the foundation’s guidelines or contact the foundation directly for detailed information about funding amounts for each grant category.

The funding restrictions for the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation grant are as follows:

• Non-program-related expenses: Cannot fund general operating costs or endowment campaigns.
• Fundraising events: Cannot fund annual fundraising events or related expenses.
• Capital improvements: Does not cover capital improvements or expenditures.
• Conference and education expenses: Cannot fund conferences, continuing education, or scholarships for schools or universities.
• Religious programming: Programs from religious organizations cannot proselytize for a particular religion or cause.

Eligibility Criteria: Ensure your organization is eligible (501(c)(3) nonprofit, government unit, etc.) and the program serves McLean, DeWitt, Livingston, or Logan counties.

Executive Approval: The application must be approved by the Executive Director, CEO, or Board President of the organization.

Grant Application: Complete the application form for the relevant grant category (General Grants, Mirza/Arts & Culture Grants, David and Kay Williams Music Education Grant, etc.).

Program Details: Provide detailed information about the program, including goals, target population, and expected outcomes.

Budget: Include a budget for the program, outlining how the grant funds will be used.

Anti-discrimination Compliance: Ensure the program complies with applicable anti-discrimination laws.

Final Reports: If your organization has received past grants, ensure all final reports for previous grants are up to date.

Supporting Documents: Include any necessary supporting documents, such as IRS determination letter, budget, and other relevant materials.

The Illinois Prairie Community Foundation has two grant cycles with the following deadlines:

• Spring Cycle: Applications are due in March.
• Fall Cycle: Applications are due in August.

Specific dates may vary each year, so it's important to check the foundation’s website or contact them directly for the exact application deadlines for each cycle.

Final Reports: Organizations that have previously received grants must submit current final reports for all past grants before applying for new funding.

Progress Reports: For ongoing grants, recipients may be required to provide progress reports that outline the status of the project, its outcomes, and any challenges encountered.

Outcome Measurement: Grantees must measure and report on the effectiveness of the funded program, focusing on clear, objective, and quantifiable results.

Compliance: Grantees must comply with the foundation's guidelines, including anti-discrimination policies, and may need to submit additional documentation confirming this compliance.

For specific reporting guidelines, grantees should consult their grant agreement or reach out to the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation directly.

The evaluation criteria for the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation grant include:

• Program Impact: The potential for the program to achieve long-term, sustainable outcomes that positively affect the community.

• Measurable Results: Clear, objective, and quantifiable methods to measure the program's success and impact.

• Collaboration and Cooperation: Preference for programs that facilitate cooperation and collaboration among organizations, maximizing the reach and effectiveness of the initiative.

• Proven Methods: Programs that build on practical, proven approaches to addressing the program's goals.

• Self-sufficiency: Priority is given to programs that can continue operating and be self-sustaining beyond the time of funding.

• Alignment with Foundation Priorities: Programs that align with the foundation’s mission, such as those in arts, education, health, youth, and other community service areas.

• Compliance with Anti-discrimination Laws: Programs must be designed and operated in a way that complies with all relevant anti-discrimination laws.