Dear Colleagues and Friends, Thank you to those of you that continue to provide essential services to people in need, and to others who have suspended programs and services to help reduce the curve of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is an extremely difficult time for all nonprofit providers as vital programs are disrupted, daily operations altered, dollars are stretched by an increased demand for services, and cancellations of revenue generating programs and events create anxiety. These are unprecedented circumstances that fill our future with uncertainty.

On Tuesday, March 17th, NICNE (Northern Illinois Center for Nonprofit Excellence) administered a survey for local nonprofits requesting information about staff, volunteers, program and event cancellations, and organizational needs. More than 115 nonprofits submitted responses from organizations of varying sizes and budget sizes.

Update on COVID-19 impact on CFNIL operations:  In light of updated directives from the State of Illinois and in order to reduce the risk to our staff, partners, and community as guided by public health officials, CFNIL offices will be closed until further notice. Staff will be working remotely and available by email during this time; staff will check voicemail on a regular basis and return calls as quickly as possible. The Neighborhood Grants application deadline has been extended until May 1st. 

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. 

Dear CFNIL Partners,  The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois has closed our offices and switched to operating remotely to mitigate the risk of virus transmissions in the midst of concerns surrounding the coronavirus. As the situation evolves, our focus is on two guiding priorities: 

In response to the latest news about COVID-19 in our region and in order to reduce the risk to our staff, partners, and community, CFNIL offices will be closed through the end of March. Staff will be working from home and available by email during this time; we will check voicemail on a regular basis and return calls as quickly as possible. The Neighborhood Grants cycle will proceed as scheduled. Staff will communicate directly with committees and other groups regarding upcoming meetings to schedule conference calls or web-based meetings whenever possible.

Jon Bates, President of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL), has announced his intention to retire at the end of CFNIL’s fiscal year, June 30, 2020. “It has been an honor and a privilege to experience firsthand the generosity, caring, and brilliance that characterize the people of northern Illinois and the volunteers and staff who guide the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois in our stewardship and grantmaking,” said Bates.

The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL) has awarded Circle of Change a $10,000 Community Grant, supported by the Dr. Louis & Violet Rubin Fund. The grant will support Veteran Dog Program classes, which are offered in both Rockford and Davis Junction. The grant, which is one of twelve made in the Human Services Focus Area, perfectly reflects the specific intent of Human Service Focus Area grants: to serve the basic needs of individuals and families, and to provide services to persons with disabilities, especially activities that promote inclusion.

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

Rockford Art Museum is proud to announce that it has received a $2,500 grant for Sonic Disruptions: Buisch and Hogin (on view February 7–May 25). The grant was awarded by the Donald V. and Britta A. Peterson Memorial Fund of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois’ Community Grants Program.

The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2020 Blanche Martin Mini Grant (BMMG) Awards. The BMMG program was established by the Zeta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International whose members are women educators from Boone and Winnebago Counties.

The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL) is pleased to announce the recipients of Community Grants for the 2019 - 2020 program cycle. In total CFNIL committed over $1.4 million for 74 projects, programs, and events operated by nonprofit organizations in Boone, Ogle, Stephenson, and Winnebago Counties.

In this year’s In Youth We Trust grant cycle, Lucia Horton was awarded a grant to bring her plans for a “Picnic with a Purpose” to life. Lucia is pictured above with Taryn Marko, the Executive Director of Winnebago County CASA, the agency whose clients and volunteers will receive the benefit of Lucia’s plans.

In 2016, Byron Bank donated an undeveloped plot of land located in the middle of a neighborhood in Belvidere to the City of Belvidere. At first, the City simply cleared the lot of brush and debris, leaving a large empty grass space. Then, the City began some efforts to use the space to engage people living in the neighborhood: the fire department would bring a truck and spray kids on hot afternoons, the police department would hand out ice cream bars donated by Deans Foods.

Up, up and away! The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce it has received a $9,619 grant to purchase two (2) UAV’S (drones). The grant was awarded by the Dr. Louis & Violet Rubin Fund of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois Community Grants Program.

One hundred years ago today, the Congress of the United States of America passed the bill authorizing the 19th amendment to the Constitution, which states: “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.” Over the next year work continued to ensure its passage in the States, with ratification occurring August 18, 1920. Pictured above at left: Alice Paul sews a star onto the NWP Ratification Flag, representing another state’s ratification of the 19th Amendment.

The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL) and NW HomeStart are proud to announce the recipients of the 2019 Neighborhood Grants Program. The grants will be awarded to 13 groups and organizations (listed below) working to improve the quality of life in their communities at the neighborhood level. The grants are worth $24,998.69. CFNIL and HomeStart will host a reception for recipients Wednesday, May 22nd at HomeStart’s Rockford office (803 N. Church Street) from 4 to 5 p.m.

On Wednesday evening, May 15, the Club Blue 2019 Committee hosted a check presentation and reception on the grounds of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois. The Committee, along with presenting sponsor Illinois Bank & Trust, presented checks totaling $190,000 to representatives from Children’s Home & Aid and MERIT, the Medical Evaluation Response Initiative Team.

The 2019 Community Foundation of Northern Illinois Scholarship cycle was one for the record books! Nearly one hundred community volunteers read and reviewed 1,127 applications from 399 students. Thanks to their hard work, the generosity of donors, and the exceptional efforts of the students of our region, CFNIL is pleased to announce the awards made in this 2018-2019 scholarship cycle. The full list of recipients is posted online: https://www.cfnil.org/2019-scholarship-recipients/

April 22, 2019 In Youth We Trust Council is made up of high-school-aged youth from across Northern Illinois. The program engages young people in community service and philanthropy. IYWT gives the council members resources and opportunities to help solve problems affecting their peers and their quality of life. The IYWT Grant Program distributes up to $25,000 a year to youth-led projects in the region. IYWT Council Members set grant policy, review youth-inspired service project proposals, and recommend proposals for funding to CFNIL’s Board of Directors.

"Often, for our individuals with severe developmental disabilities, accomplishing daily tasks such as communicating with others or participating in daily living activities can be a challenge…new computer equipment and assistive technology [can] improve the effectiveness and impact in preparing and conducting training for both participants and staff.”