The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL) is excited to announce the Community Grants Program application opening for the 2025 cycle. Nonprofits providing services in Boone, Ogle, Stephenson, and Winnebago Counties are invited to apply via CFNIL’s online application portal starting Thursday, June 26, until 5:00 pm on Thursday, August 14.

CFNIL will be marching in the 2025 Rockford Pride Parade, and we invite all friends of CFNIL to join us! The second-annual official Rockford Pride Parade will be held Saturday, June 7th, stepping off from Market and State Street at Noon. The CFNIL crew will line up on Market Street between 4th and State starting at 11:30 a.m. Break out your PRIDE apparel and your festive spirits, this parade is fun from start to finish!Questions? Email us at info@cfnil.org

Dan Ross, President of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL), has announced his intention to depart the organization, having accepted a new leadership role as CFO of the Bill Doran Company, a global firm headquartered in Rockford. His last day with CFNIL will be Friday, May 23, 2025.

The In Youth We Trust (IYWT) Council has completed its second of two grant cycles for the 2024-2025 school year and selected six organizations for awards totaling $21,691.73. IYWT, the youth philanthropy program of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, has been inspiring volunteerism, grantmaking, and community service since 1994. 

The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL) is pleased to announce its 2025 scholarship awards: 267 scholarships worth over $540,000 to local students. The scholarships will support the post-secondary educational aspirations of 217 individuals from 41 high schools. 

The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL) is poised to award the 15th cohort of Howard D. Colman Scholarship recipients, four students who embody the “spirit of Colman”, possessing an innovative, entrepreneurial mind and invested in supporting the greater Rockford community. 

The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL) is pleased to announce this year’s Fehr Graham Scholarship Recipients, five students representing five high schools in communities within 50 miles of a Fehr Graham office. Each student intends to pursue a career in engineering and/or environmental fields, representing the areas of Fehr Grahams’ expertise.

As of April 1, 2025, The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL) will now accept applications for the Neighborhood Grants Program on a rolling basis. This program is open to neighborhood-based groups and nonprofit organizations operating in Boone, Ogle, Stephenson, and Winnebago Counties. A unique feature of this grant program is that while the groups applying should be organized for a charitable purpose, they do not need to be registered 501c3s.

Come explore Infinite Forms, an inspiring exhibition of abstract works from The Arc’s Project Art program! This year’s collection invites you to experience the beauty of color, shape, and form in unexpected ways. Alongside the abstract paintings, you’ll find a variety of other handcrafted pieces, including sculptural works and beaded creations. Don’t miss out on our sales tables, which feature items like bookmarks, cards, and T-shirts.

The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL) is pleased to announce the 2025 DKG Mini-Grant recipients. The DKG Mini-Grant program was established by the Zeta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, whose members are women educators from Boone and Winnebago Counties. It is funded by two endowments established in memory of local educators and Zeta members Blanche J. Martin and Lana P. Smith. 

The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois is thrilled to announce the first-ever recipients of the Marion L. Bates Endowment for Faculty Enrichment Grants, seven teachers from four different schools in Rockford Public School District 205. The seven recipients, their schools, and their awarded activities are as follows:

The application for CFNIL’s Spring Scholarship cycle is now open! CFNIL is the region's largest private scholarship provider, with over 130 unique scholarships totaling over $550,000 to be awarded this year. There are three application cycles (Fall, Winter/Main, and Spring), each with its own application and timeline. Each cycle's application is accessed via CFNIL's online application portal. The Spring cycle opened on March 1 and closes April 1. This cycle includes two scholarships:

The Jefferson and Wallace Scholarship has been launched to honor the life and legacy of former Illinois State Representative Charles E. Jefferson, a dedicated public servant, mentor, and community leader. The scholarship will provide financial support to students pursuing careers in political science, public administration, public policy, or law, ensuring that Rep. Jefferson’s commitment to service continues through the next generation of leaders.

The Illinois Gives Tax Credit Act:  A Primer on an exciting opportunity for individual and corporate donors as well as for non-profit organizations looking to build a sustainable source of funding.

December 1 was opening day for the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL) Winter/Main scholarship application! CFNIL is the region's largest private scholarship provider, with over 125 unique scholarships totaling over $550,000 to be awarded this year. There are three application cycles (Fall, Winter/Main, and Spring), each with its own application and timeline.

The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois administers two grant programs that support teachers with the goal of enhancing and improving the quality of education in our community. The applications for both programs are open now and will remain open until January 13, 2025.DKG MINI GRANTS: Designed for teachers seeking financial support for special classroom activities and materials. This unique program is provided by teachers, for teachers! 

The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL) is feeling extra thankful as we announce the recipients of Community Grants for the 2024 program cycle: $1.73 million granted to 88 organizations in support of projects, programs, and events benefiting the people of Boone, Ogle, Stephenson, and Winnebago Counties.

The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL), in partnership with the Rockford Register Star and the Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence (NICNE), is thrilled to announce the finalists for the 2024 Excalibur and Excelsior Awards.

Rockford Public Library (RPL), the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL), and Rock Valley College Foundation (RVCF) are excited to announce the annual Community Scholarship Fair will be held this December 3!

Today, November 1, the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL) FALL SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION opens! CFNIL is the region's largest private scholarship provider, with over 125 unique scholarships totaling over $500,000 to be awarded this year. There are three application cycles (Fall, Winter/Main, and Spring), each with its own application and timeline. Each cycle's application is accessed via CFNIL's online application portal.