Nonprofit Capacity Building Grant Applications Accepted in May

The Community Foundation of East Central Illinois (CFECI) will be awarding $50,000 in grants to strengthen the nonprofit sector as part of its vision of raising the quality of life throughout the region it serves.

First offered in 2022 in celebration of the Community Foundation’s 50th anniversary, this grant cycle supports the capacity of nonprofit organizations to achieve their mission and goals. CFECI will provide grants of up to $5,000 to eligible nonprofits for capacity building and technical assistance to improve an identified area of operations. These Nonprofit Capacity Building Grants require a 10% matching contribution.

“The Community Foundation is pleased to once again offer this grant cycle to invest in projects that strengthen our local nonprofit sector,” stated Allison Winter, CFECI President & CEO. “By increasing their core systems and operations, these projects help nonprofits more effectively carry out their missions – now and into the future.”

To apply for a grant, nonprofits must be a charitable tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization with no less than two years of operation, located in and serving residents of CFECI’s service area which includes Champaign, Piatt, Ford, Iroquois, Vermilion, Edgar, Douglas, Coles and Moultrie counties. Organizations with an annual budget size of $1 million or less will be given priority in funding consideration.

This grant program focuses on projects that improve capacity in an identified area of organizational operations, including (but not limited to): communications; data management; diversity, equity and inclusion; financial management; fundraising; governance; leadership; mission and strategy; program delivery; and program evaluation.

Applications for Nonprofit Capacity Building Grants will be accepted starting May 1 and the application deadline will close May 31, 2024. Applicants will be notified of their status in June.

To learn more about CFECI and to access the guidelines and application for its Nonprofit Capacity Building Grants, visit www.cfeci.org. An information session about this grant opportunity will be held on Zoom on Tuesday, May 7 at 1:00 p.m. To request the Zoom link or for additional questions, email info@cfeci.org or call 217-359-0125.