Community Foundation adds opportunities for grants in 2024
Expands environmental grants

 

[September 26, 2023] 

Illinois Prairie Community Foundation has expanded its grant opportunities for 2024 by adding a stand-alone grant cycle focused on the environment to its fall grant application season which will be open Oct. 1-31.

The Environment & Nature Grants will have $40,000 available to be award to a variety of nonprofits who offer programs focused on the environment and nature. Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, a continuing stream of funding has allowed the community foundation to create an independent grant cycle for environmental programs. Previously, environment-focused grants were offered as part of the General Grants application in the spring.

“It has long been a goal of Illinois Prairie Community Foundation to play a larger role in helping local nonprofits working in the environmental sector. This generous gift allows IPCF to do just that,” said Greg Meyer, Illinois Prairie Community Foundation executive director.

Also included in the fall grants are the Women to Women Giving Circle Grants, which have $55,000 available to award, and Youth Engaged in Philanthropy (YEP), which has $11,985 to award. Funding for the Women to Women, Youth Engaged in Philanthropy and Environment & Nature grants comes from endowments held at IPCF, designated gifts and individual donors.

These grants provide support to programs that benefit residents in McLean, DeWitt, Livingston and Logan counties. Grant applicants will find a link to the online application form on the IPCF website at https://ilprairiecf.org/fall-grants.

The Women to Women Giving Circle seeks to improve the lives of women and children in Central Illinois. It is focusing its grants for 2024 on programs that break down barriers and challenges for families in the areas of food, housing, transportation and childcare.

Youth Engaged in Philanthropy grants are for youth-focused programs, with priority given to organizations that include youth in the application process. The grants are awarded by 15 area high school students who are members of YEP.

“The number and quality of applications increases each year,” said Michele Evans, grants & communications director at IPCF. “Not all grants are able to be fully funded, but for those nonprofit organizations receiving funding, that can make a huge difference to them.”

Successful applicants will receive funding starting in January 2024.

Applicants must represent a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization, a local unit of municipal, county, state or federal government, a school or college/university, or a tax-exempt religious organization or place of worship. Programs must be available to residents of McLean, DeWitt, Livingston or Logan counties, but do not have to serve all four counties.

For additional information and questions, grant applicants may contact Michele Evans at [e-mail] or 309-662-4477.

About Illinois Prairie Community Foundation

Illinois Prairie Community Foundation, now in its 25th year, encourages and facilitates philanthropy in McLean, DeWitt, Livingston and Logan counties by connecting donors who care with causes that matter to them. The foundation manages funds including endowments and donor advised, fiscal sponsorship and scholarship funds. More information is available at www.ilprairiecf.org.

[Michele Evans
Grants & Communications Director
Illinois Prairie Community Foundation]