Grants of up to $20,000 to Illinois nonprofit organizations, faith-based organizations, and government agencies for activities to benefit women and girls in eligible regions. Funding is intended to support women and children from marginalized groups who face barriers within the community. The current focus is on food, housing, transportation, and childcare. The program must be available to residents of McLean, DeWitt, Livingston, or Logan counties; however, programs do not have to serve all four counties.
Grant Eligibility
Program must address the grant focus; funding may support a new or existing program
Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to collaborate with at least one other organization for a common program; applicant will act as the lead organization for program
Criteria Given Greatest Consideration
Has potential to be on-going and self-sufficient beyond the time of funding
Promotes systemic change, increases range of options for women and children, and fosters self-sufficiency
Is an existing program that is results-driven or is a new program that offers creative and innovative solutions to address the focus issue by building on proven practical methods
Facilitates cooperation and collaboration among organizations so as to avoid duplication of services
Utilizes clear methods of measuring and reporting results
Has the potential for obtaining matching funds or additional grant money (a bonus, but not an expectation)
Applicants must have tax-exempt status under Section 501 (c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code, operate under a fiscal agent that is a 501 (c) 3 organization, or be a local unit of local, county, state or federal government. Faith-based organizations may apply for funding provided the program is non-sectarian and available to the community at large.
- Organizations that have received past Women to Women or Illinois Prairie Community Foundation grants must be current on Final Reports
- Executive Director, CEO or President of the Board of lead organization applying must approve the application
Ineligible
What Is Not Funded
• Non program-related expenses
• Endowment campaigns
• Annual fundraising events and expenses
• Conference expenses
• Scholarships
Pre-Application Information
Important Dates:
• October 1, 2023 – Application window opens for Women to Women grants
• October 31, 2023 – Application due at 5:00 p.m. (Central); no applications will be accepted after that time.
• Mid-November 2023 – Applicants notified of their status
• Early December 2023 – Oral presentations by finalists (details to be determined)
• Early January 2024 – Finalists notified of the Grants Committee’s and IPCF Board of Directors’ decisions
Finalists will be asked to make a 10-minute oral presentation to the Grants Committee and other Women to Women members early in December (date TBD) at the Illinois State University Alumni Center, 1101 N. Main St., Normal. The person responsible for managing the program (along with other relevant staff members or volunteers) should make the presentation.
A representative of the organization and one or two participants of the program, if feasible, will be invited to speak at the Women to Women Summer Celebration in June 2024.
Historically, grants range from $3,000-$10,000; individual requests should not exceed $20,000.
Term of Contract
Women to Women will fund programs for up to two consecutive grant cycles (funding is not guaranteed in second year); after that, program should have the ability to become self-funded or find alternate funding sources.
Grant funds must be expended by January 31, 2025.
If extenuating circumstances prevent the completion of the grant within
the specified period, Illinois Prairie Community Foundation must be notified as soon as these circumstances are known, but no later than one month before the deadline. The funding source will try to accommodate reasonable requests for an extension.
If you have questions about IPCF's grant process, please email Michele Evans, Grants & Communications Director, at mevans@ilprairiecf.org, or call her at 309-662-4477.
Illinois Prairie Community Foundation
915 E. Washington St., Suite 2
Bloomington, IL 61701 info@ilprairiecf.org
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