How to Apply

Here is everything you need to know when applying for Trust funding opportunities, from eligibility to the GrantCentral portal.

A young woman sits at a table between two small girls who are coloring with crayons.
Photo Credit: Housing Opportunities for Women

The Trust offers various funding opportunities that support our strategic priorities. If grant opportunities are closed, this may mean that the application deadline has passed or that the Trust is currently in a multi-year funding cycle. The Trust often provides multi-year grants because they are a best practice that affords organizations greater stability, allows them to build their capacity and be responsive to new opportunities, and reduces the burden of having to apply annually for funding.

  • Funding Opportunities

    All open grant opportunities through The Chicago Community Trust are shared and updated periodically on our website.

    Apply for Funding

  • GrantCentral

    Through GrantCentral, grant seekers are able to manage their grant activities in one easy-to-use, web-based, responsive platform. The system is fast, secure, and user-friendly, with easy accessibility to the Trust’s open funding opportunities and grant-related data.

    Launch GrantCentral

  • Sponsorships

    The Trust dedicates a portion of its discretionary grantmaking budget to sponsor programming events that strengthen economic mobility, increase opportunity and well-being, and address critical needs in Chicago.

    Find Sponsorships

GrantCentral Resources

If you are a current grant recipient or grant seeker, see below to access resources for using GrantCentral:

Eligibility

The Trust funds nonprofit agencies with evidence of tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that are not classified as private foundations. We also accept applications from agencies that have a nonprofit fiscal sponsor.

Each grant opportunity will have its own additional criteria for funding.

As a community foundation, the Trust’s grants are awarded to organizations that benefit residents of the Chicago region. There may on occasion be a specific initiative that awards a grant to a project that extends beyond our region, but these are rare and strategic exceptions.

The Trust does not provide discretionary grants to projects or organizations outside of the United States.

Please Note

Upon submission, all requests for funding, including proposals and any supporting materials, become the sole property of The Chicago Community Trust and will not be returned. The Chicago Community Trust reserves the right to reject any request for funding without explanation.