The Foundation's grant making focus is to foster collaboration and partnership in order to optimize resources and maximize services to the community. The Will County Community Foundation will consider proposals from collaborations and partnerships that strategically expand the capacity of programming in education, health care and human services.
Eligibility
- Must be a qualified 501(c)(3), as defined by the Internal Revenue Service Code, or
- Must have a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that will serve as the fiscal agent for the grant
- Must serve residents of Will County, Illinois
- Must have a minimum of three board members
- Must be seeking support for a new project or initiative
- Must have already established a partnership and/or collaboration
- Must have a proven history of effective collaboration
- Must be able to provide a plan to demonstrate that the project is sustainable
- Must be able to provide matching or in-kind contributions"
Grant Amounts
- $10,000 to $50,000
- Funding for one year
- Organizations may not have more than one active grant or grant request with the Foundation and/or with The Chicago Community Trust at any time
Grant Cycle and Deadlines
The Will County Community Foundation makes grants once each year, with LOIs due in summer. Details will be available as the grant deadline approaches.
Please note: The Will County Community Foundation will not be accepting LOIs in 2010. Please check back in spring 2011 for new grant guidance.
How to Apply
1. Letter of Inquiry
The letter of inquiry application form will be available on this page one month before the deadline.
2. Proposal
LOIs are reviewed by Foundation staff and a limited number of organizations invited to submit a full proposal. This invitation does not in any way guarantee funding. If an organization is invited to submit a proposal, the invitation will be accompanied by a proposal template and instructions.
Note: If the proposal outlines the use of consultants, copies of the bids by consultants being considered, including deliverables and timeline for completion, must be submitted with the proposal. Also, a resume, background summary, or agency brochure of each consultant under consideration, including a list of current or former clients, must be included.
3. Proposal Review
Following submission, proposals will be reviewed as follows:
- The Trust will assign a program officer to the proposal. The program officer will contact the agency to confirm that the required content has been included, request any additional information, schedule a site visit as appropriate and discuss any special needs or circumstances.
- As part of the review process, staff may contact other agencies, foundations or individuals who have knowledge of the grant seeking agency. Staff may make site visits. Reviews are presented to colleagues for discussion and approval.
- Staff recommendations are reviewed by the Will County Community Foundation Board of Directors.
- Notification will be mailed approximately two weeks after the review meeting.
- During the time that a proposal is under review, an applicant must notify the Trust of any significant changes in leadership (staff or board), financial circumstances or capacity to accomplish the proposed activities.
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