How to Apply for a Grant

how-to-apply-for-a-grant.jpgGrants are awarded to 501(c)3 organizations and government entities serving Kankakee and Iroquois Counties.

Grant applications are reviewed by the Grants Committee and recommendations are then presented to the Board of Directors for approval.

Fall Grant Cycle opens August 2, 2023 at 5 pm



The Community Foundation of Kankakee River Valley hosts two grant cycles per year for eligible applicants to submit a grant application. Grant applications are to adhere to the grant application guidelines defined for each grant. Grant awards are to be made only to those nonprofit organizations and programs operating within Kankakee and Iroquois Counties. Awards are made only to organizations with charitable 501(c)(3) classifications by the Internal Revenue Service, or to quasi-governmental agencies, e.g., school districts, libraries, park districts, etc. Awards are generally made for one year at a time. Multiple-year awards will be considered if circumstances justify it; however, sustainability after the grant award-making period should be explained. Grant evaluations must be completed as according to the grant guidelines and may include an on-site visitation by Foundation representatives. 

Log in to our Grants management portal to apply for open grants or access you organizations existing grant requests. Before completing your grant application, please view the grant guidelines to determine if you grant request qualifies.

Grants Portal

Example Budget Worksheet

BUDGET WORKSHEETThis is the budget you will submit when filling out your application for any CFKRV grants

Please check back for updated information regarding the next Spring Grant Cycle. Next Spring Grant Cycle will open in January 2024. A Grantseekers Workshop must be attended for organizations applying for the first time. This will be held via zoom and announced once the grant cycle opens.

Communityworks Grant Competition

Communityworks grants are being made available for projects addressing issues in the areas of Early Childhood Education, Land Use & Protection and Workforce Development.

Applications are reviewed and evaluated by the Community Foundation Grants Committee with the Community Foundation Board of Directors making the final award determination. Grants can be awarded for up to $10,000. Please review the grant guidelines before completing the application to see if your organization qualifies for a Communityworks Grant. 

GUIDELINES

Rosie Fund Grant Competition

The Rosie Fund exists to channel financial aid resources to existing not-for-profit organizations for the express purpose of alleviating unmet needs of women in Kankakee County that are not funded through traditional financial resources, and is administered by the Community Foundation of Kankakee River Valley. The Rosie Fund typically awards grants between $500 and $2,500 annually to local not-for-profits that provide services for women. 

GUIDELINES

Next Fall Grant cycle begins August 2, 2023.  Applications must be submitted by September 12, 2023 at 5:00 pm. The Fall Grant cycle includes the Robert K. Dunn, Community Stewardship, and Fine Arts Fund grants.


Robert K. Dunn Perpetual Charitable Trust Fund Grant

The donor-advised fund was established by the trustees of Mr. Dunn’s estate in 2016. Grants can be made to one or multiple organizations that provide direct services to youth in the Greater Kankakee River Valley Area. Last year the trustees advised the Community Foundation Board of Directors to award over $36,000.

Robert “Bob” Dunn was best known for the 45 years he spent as a coach in the Kankakee Jaycees Little League where he coached three all-star teams which reached the Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA in 1958, 1962, and 1966. Bob was a role model and mentor for thousands of children and fellow coaches over the years. He passed away in 2014. 

GUIDELINES

 

Community Stewardship Fund

The Community Stewardship Fund was established to meet the every changing needs of our communities. This past year, the Community Stewardship Fund awarded $6,500 to qualifiing organizaitons. The Community Stewardship Fund covers a wide range of programs/projects which it can fund. Please view the grant guidelines to determine if your organization qualifies for a Community Stewardship grant.

Guidelines

 

Fine Arts Fund

When the Fine Arts Matching Funds Challenge was announced in November of 2020, the Fine Arts Campaign was launched to raise money for the Fine Arts Fund. With the generosity of matching funds donor, Norm Strasma, and donors throughout the community near and far, the Fine Arts Fund has announced its first grant cycle. Grants will be made in the areas of Music, Painting, Sculpture, Architecture, Literature, Performing Arts and Film. In its first grant cycle, the Fine Arts Fund awarded $2,500 to qualifying organizations. 

GUIDELINES