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Support the causes you care about the most.
Through the power of endowment, your gift makes a deep impact -- forever!
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If you’re a nonprofit seeking a grant for your project
or a student looking for educational support,
you’re in the right place.
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Whether you donate to an existing endowment or create your own, be assured that your passion is our purpose.
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Grants
Support for charitable activities that benefit the people and places of northern Illinois. Over $1.4M is distributed each year through the Community Grants Program alone!
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Scholarships
Scholarships
90+ Unique Scholarships, nearly $300K in awards, just ONE Application! Application open December 1 - February 1.
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News
News
Check out what's new and coming soon at CFNIL!
Read What's Happening
CFNIL Scholarships. 90+ funds. $350,000+ in awards. One application.

CFNIL Scholarship Application Now Open

With nearly 100 unique scholarships designated specifically for students in northern Illinois, and just one application to complete, don't delay -- apply today!

Learn More and Apply

Howard D. Colman Scholarship Program application open now. Two pictures of Howard Colman in front of a blueprint of one of his inventions

Howard D. Colman Scholarship Program

The Howard D. Colman Scholarship Program seeks to support local students who possess an innovative, entrepreneurial spirit and who are invested in supporting the Rockford community through industry. In addition to providing scholarships to awarded students, the program connects honorees with one-of-a-kind internships at local firms and provides opportunities to embody the spirit of Howard Colman as ambassadors for his legacy. The application is open each year from November 1st - January 1st.

Learn More and Apply

Endowment: The Power of Perseverence
“We’re focused on endowment because we’re long term thinkers. Some of the seeds we plant are not going to come up for eight years, so it was not a struggle for us to imagine that we should start planning now for what the needs might be in ten or twenty years.” -- Bernie Buchholz, Friends of Nachusa Grasslands, which established an Agency Endowment Fund with CFNIL in 2014
Learn more about how CFNIL works