Grants from the fund will be prioritized for nonprofit organizations providing vital basic needs, services, and resources to disproportionately impacted individuals, families, and vulnerable populations in Kankakee and Iroquois Counties. Requests to support other nonprofit organizations experiencing financial hardship or providing support services to individuals and families will also be accepted.

Eligibility Requirements

• Grants may be made 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. located in or significantly serving Kankakee & Iroquois Counties.
• Demonstrates a need for funding due to the pandemic or the impact of following public health recommendations taken to flatten the curve of COVID-19 infections locally, for the purpose of either:
  • Continuity of operations support due to increased expenses or decreased revenue
  • Providing new, increased, or changed support to affected people, organizations, businesses, or communities

Priorities (in this order)

1. Organizations providing basic vital needs services to communities that were already vulnerable before the pandemic, or that are disproportionately affected by the pandemic and the impact of the resulting public health measures on finances and service
2. Organizations providing any services to such vulnerable or disproportionately affected populations as described
3. Other nonprofit organizations experiencing challenges due to following public health recommendations, with a focus on those that need support to implement remote work or that are at high risk of staff

Grant Guidelines

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The Community Foundation grant competition procedures are detailed here. The Community Foundation Grants Committee announced the Communityworks Grants procedures, planned expenditures and requirements which are detailed in the following sections. Awards to regional, not-for-profit organizations, according to the guideline specifications, are expected to range from $1,000 to $10,000 in 2021. Deadline for the next grant application is Friday, March 5, 2021.

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

The goal of the Community Foundation is to improve the quality of life in greater Kankakee and Iroquois Counties by supporting needs that are not being adequately met.

Applications are reviewed and evaluated by the Community Foundation Grants Committee with the Community Foundation Board of Directors making the final award determination.

• Grant applications are to adhere to the grant application guidelines.
• Grant awards are to be made only to those nonprofit organizations and programs operating within Kankakee and Iroquois Counties.
• Awards through the Communityworks Endowment 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.
• The evaluation process may include an on-site visitation by Foundation representatives.

There is one grant award period each year. Communityworks grants are planned to be available in future years. Awardees may renew their grant projects by re-submitting full applications in subsequent funding cycles.

Guidelines     Apply Here

DUNN CHARITABLE FUND ACCEPTING GRANT APPLICATIONS

The Community Foundation of Kankakee River Valley has announced the first grant cycle for the Robert K. Dunn Perpetual Charitable Trust Fund. The donor-advised fund was established by the trustees of Mr. Dunn’s estate in 2016. The trustees will advise the Community Foundation Board of Directors to grant up to $33,000 to one or multiple organizations that provide direct services to youth in the Greater Kankakee River Valley Area.

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.

The deadline for organizations to apply is 5:00pm (CST), Friday, September 25, 2020. 

Guidelines

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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. In previous years, the Rosie Fund has granted between $500 and $2,500 annually to local not-for-profits that provide services for women. This year the Community Foundation of Kankakee River Valley anticipates Rosie Fund Grant distributions of similar value.

Criteria for grant distribution within your agency would include the following:

1. Must be female
2. No traditional resources are available, or adequate or exhausted, for the particular situation
3. Funds to be used for client services such as:
   • Education
   • Health Care
   • Child Care
   • Basic necessities (i.e. lodging, transportation, clothing, etc.)
4. Funds distributed to the provider of the service, not directly to the individual unless some purpose such as transportation.
5. Distributions will be confidential
6. Report will be sent to The Community Foundation Board of Directors stating how funds were used.
7. Funds can be carried over to the following year
8. Must submit required documents as listed on the application attachments list

Apply Here