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Confirmed in Compliance with National Standards
Confirmed in Compliance with National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations
 
Grants

The Neighborhood Grants Program

The Neighborhood Grants Program exists to:

  • Encourage and support the work of neighborhood-based groups and organizations trying to preserve and/or improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods.  This complements Mayor Larry Morrissey's "Excellence Everywhere" commitment to improving our community
  • Promote resident participation and leadership in neighborhood-based groups/organizations
  • Invest in and build on the existing strengths and assets of Rockford's neighborhoods
  • Promote civic pride in our community

Eligibility

To be eligible for funding, an applicant must:

  • Be a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, not-for-profit agency and/or an organized group carrying out a charitable purpose for the common good in an efficient manner
  • Have a minimum of five identifiable active leaders (i.e. President, Treasurer, Secretary, etc.)
  • Have an established process to manage grant funds that includes a current checking account in the name of the organization/group
  • Be operated and organized in such a manner that no applicable anti-discrimination laws are violated;
  • Have submitted the required final reports if you are a past recipient of a grant
  • Be a neighborhood that is located within Winnebago County
  • Have the capacity to complete the proposed project by the end of the year

We Look For

The Neighborhood Grants Program of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois looks for projects that:

  • Encourage partnerships between residents, businesses, non-profits and institutions (i.e. schools) within the neighborhood
  • Are generated and led by residents of the neighborhood
  • Build on the assets existing in the neighborhood.  The project may address problem issues or situations, but should also build on the strengths and capacities that already exist in the neighborhood.  This might be utilizing specific skills of residents, involving youth or working with an existing neighborhood group
  • Demonstrate matching funds from other resources (i.e. businesses)

Examples of Possible Projects:

*Beautification Projects  *Reforesting Neighborhoods Neighborhood Signage
*Neighborhood Clean-ups Crime Prevention Activities *Neighborhood Newsletters
Neighborhood Organizing Youth/Family/Resident Activities  Home ownership Seminar

Neighborhood Surveys

   

*Beautification Projects

  • Permanent fixtures (i.e. trash receptacles, planters) must be installed on public property or common areas.
  • Landscape projects must be permanent improvements to the area (i.e. shrubs, trees, perennials).  Annuals should be used for accent color.
  • Landscape projects must have a maintenance plan (i.e. watering, weeding.)

*Neighborhood Newsletter

  • The Foundation only provides seed money to start-up a neighborhood newsletter.

*Reforesting Neighborhoods

  • Trees can only be planted on public or common areas (not on private property.)

*Neighborhood Clean-ups

  • We do not fund garden tools.  (Tools can be accessed through the Neighborhood Tool Bank,
    917 South Main Street, 963-6236.)

Grant Cycle

Deadline for submitting a Neighborhood Grant application is January 1st. Those wishing to apply for a grant should use the link at the bottom of this page to access an online application. Groups and organizations will be notified by the end of March. In general, grants range from a minimum of $500 to a maximum of $2,500, but grants for much smaller amounts are encouraged.

All grant recipients are required to submit a final evaluation report at the completion of the project no later than December 30th. The report must address how grant funds were used and project outcomes.


Exclusions

In general, grants are not made from the Neighborhood Grants program for the following:

  • Salaries
  • Neighborhood watch signs
  • Labor charges for hired work
  • Landscaping private property
  • Refreshments for neighborhood meetings
  • Entertainment
  • Gardening and clean-up tools (tools may be obtained through the Neighborhood Tool Bank,
    917 S. Main St., 963-6236)
  • 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.

Online Application

Please Note:  As the Community Foundation strives for complete accuracy in its grant programs, we reserve the right to update grant application forms 30 days before the deadline.  Only applications started within 30 days of deadline will be accepted.  While you may browse the online application at any time, you are reminded to check your calendar before you begin filling out any grant application.

To start a new application, click New Application.

To access an application that you chose to save and finish later, click Saved Application.

Please Note: Your computer must use one of the following commonly used internet browsers and have cookies enabled in order to access the online application.

  • Internet Explorer version 5.5 SP-2 or higher
  • Netscape 6.2.2 or higher
  • Netscape Communicator 4.76 or higher
  • Internet Explorer 5.1.4 for Mac OS X

If you have questions, please contact James Patterson, Program & Scholarship Officer at (815) 962-2110 ext 11 or jpatterson@cfnil.org.