Community Opportunities
Community Opportunities supports Northern Illinois nonprofits with emergency response, time-sensitive projects, and matching funds for charitable work to resolve crises and benefit the wider community.
Funder: Community Foundation of Northern Illinois
Due Dates: Rolling (Applications and award announcements)
Funding Amounts: Up to $5,000 per application; typically $30,000 allocated per fiscal year, available until depleted
Summary: Flexible grants support Northern Illinois nonprofits facing emergencies, unexpected time-sensitive opportunities, or opportunities to leverage matching funds for charitable activities.
Key Information: Contact Grants Officer Lisa DeLang before applying; organizations may not apply in two consecutive years.
Description
The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois’s Community Opportunities program supports unexpected opportunities and emergency needs of nonprofit organizations located in or serving Boone, Ogle, Stephenson, and Winnebago Counties. Created by the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, it provides flexible funding to respond to emerging opportunities and unforeseen crises.
Proposals must address at least one of three situations: an emergency immediately affecting an organization’s ability to serve clients, an unforeseen and time-sensitive opportunity benefiting a broad constituency beyond the organization and its clients, or an opportunity to leverage matching grant dollars for a charitable activity. Emergency funding must resolve the crisis, either alone or with other secured funds. The program does not cover standard operating expenses or replace funding losses.
