Due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19, the deadline to apply for 2020 Neighborhood Grants has been extended to May 1, 2020. This detail has been updated in the original press release below. Questions about the Neighborhood Grants Program may be directed to CFNIL Program Director James Patterson, jpatterson@cfnil.org. 

NW HomeStart and the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL) are accepting applications for the Neighborhood Grants Program until 5 p.m. on Friday, May 1, 2020. This program is available to neighborhood-based groups and nonprofit organizations operating in Boone, Ogle, Stephenson, and Winnebago Counties.

CFNIL has operated a neighborhood grants program since 1995, distributing more than $725,000 to build better neighborhoods in Rockford and beyond. This is the fifth year that CFNIL and HomeStart are collaborating to expand the opportunity to the four-county region.

The Neighborhood Grants Program funds neighborhood projects, including but not limited to beautification, crime prevention, surveys, clean ups, newsletters, organizing, reforestation, and resident-focused education. The maximum award from the Neighborhood Grants Program is $2,500. Awards will be announced in May 2020.

Applications must be submitted through CFNIL’s Web Portal from now until May 1, 2020. HomeStart administers the Neighborhood Grants Program, including awarding the grant funds. To learn more about the application, grant guidelines, and how to apply, visit: cfnil.org/grants/neighborhood/.

Last year’s recipients included: African-American Resource Center at Booker, Capron Lions Club, Circles of Learning, City of Belvidere, Collier Gardens Resident Council, Greater Freeport Partnership, Ken-Rock Community Center, North Highland Square Neighborhood Association, Park-er-Woods Community Association, Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity, Winnebago Community Historical Society, Youth Services Network, and Zion Outreach.

Through the partnership, HomeStart will offer the chance for a team to attend the NeighborWorks Community Leadership Institute this fall. This event is geared toward citizens who are seeking to learn about neighborhood improvement strategies that can be put into practice in their own communities. Visit nwhomestart.org to learn more about the NeighborWorks Community Leadership Institute.