• Be a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, not-for-profit agency and/or organized group carrying out a charitable purpose for the public good in an efficient matter
• Provide services within the greater Rockford area, which includes the counties of Boone, Ogle,
  Stephenson and Winnebago
• Be operated and organized in such a manner that no applicable anti-discrimination laws are violated

• Address recognized community issues with innovative approaches
• Build positively on the rich diversity of our community
• Articulate meaningful, reasonable, measurable outcomes
• Present clear work plans which show the ability to achieve the project's goal
• Build the self-sufficiency of organizations and/or participants
• Encourage cooperation, create efficiencies and reduce duplication of services
• Demonstrate leadership and develop the leadership potential of the community
• Demonstrate quality, vision, effectiveness and good management
• Provide long-range fund development planning beyond the funding period

• Empower the underserved to seek solutions
• Promote self-sufficiency
• Programs that focus on long-term approaches to issues
• Provide independence to the elderly and disabled
• Improve access to health care
• Strengthen the capacity of human service organizations to serve their constituencies

2. Education
Encompasses community education projects that serve all age groups and segments of our population and that are not normally funded by the public school system.

• Increase literacy and basic skills development in the community
• Develop efforts that address the needs of students who are most at-risk for dropping out of school
• Promote inclusiveness and diversity
• Provide creative approaches to improvement of our educational system

3. Community and Neighborhood Development
Programs that address community and neighborhood development, both social and economic and our, natural resources and environment.

• Encourage community responsibility for solving community problems
• Develop leadership and leadership opportunities for youth, minorities and the economically disadvantaged
• Enhance awareness of regional environmental issues
• Encourage responsible stewardship and conservation of our natural resources

4. Children, Youth & Families
Programs that enhance the quality of life for children and youth through opportunities to enhance their
intellectual, emotional, physical, and social development.

• Support models that encourage an alliance of shared responsibility and coordination of resources among schools, parents and community-based organizations, and encourage the expansion or replication of those programs most effective in poor communities.
• Enhance the life options of youth through such means as improved basic skills and school Retention;
  development of work, life management, and leadership development skills; and reduction of risk-taking behaviors.
• Support efforts to enhance parental understanding of strategies they themselves can use to improve
  the educational attainment of their children.
• Strengthen the capacity of existing institutions to better serve the needs of children and youth.

The deadlines for submitting all applications are July 1st (Fall Cycle) and Jan 1st (Spring Cycle) of each year. Grants under $10,000 are typically awarded in late September (Fall) and late March (Spring), while grants of $10,000 and greater are typically awarded in November (Fall) and June (Spring). If the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, proposals are due on the next business day. Those wishing to apply should click on the link at the bottom of this page to access our online application.

Only one proposal per organization will be considered within Community Foundation's fiscal year (7/1-6/30). Carefully consider the funding cycle that allows you to receive funds prior to the start of your program. Summer programs should apply during the fall grant cycle.

Exceptions:

• Unless you are invited by the Community Needs Committee to resubmit an application in the following grant cycle.
• Organizations, which participate in a collaborative, may apply once as a member of a collaborative and may submit an additional request in the same fiscal year, either by itself or as part of a second collaborative.

The Community Needs Committee is comprised of Foundation board members and community leaders which reviews proposals. Final approval of grants rests with the Foundation's Board of Trustees.

All grant recipients are required to submit a final report upon completion of the project for which the grant was made. This report must include the outcomes achieved by the project and a detailed budget that explains how the dollars were used. The report may also include an oral presentation or other components as deemed necessary by the Community Foundation. Past grant recipients will be excluded from future grant consideration if a report has not been completed for prior funding. If an organization submits an additional application while a CFNIL funded project is still in progress, an interim report must be completed and returned by the grant cycle deadline. Evaluations are due within one month of program or project's completion.

Grants are usually made for one year only; but when circumstances warrant, a multi-year commitment may be considered.

To provide further information about Foundation grant programs, the Foundation offers regular Grant Seekers meetings on the 1st Tuesday of every May and November at 9am. The meetings are held at the Foundation offices within the Marlowe Center of Philanthropy at 946 N. Second Street. Call 962-2110 ext. 11 to make a reservation.

• Annual & capital campaigns
• Budget deficit
• Endowments
• Individuals
• Ongoing operating & project support
• Regranting of funds
• Projects and programs that promote a religion or require participation in a religious activity as a condition for receiving services. However, grants may be made to faith-based organizations for other purposes.