2026 Grant Cycle / Community Partner Grants

2026 Grant Cycle / Community Partner Grants is sponsored by The Community Foundation of Will County. Provides funding for projects in health, education, human services, and the arts in Will County, Illinois.

The Community Foundation of Will County Donor Advised Grants FY2026 Community Partner Grant Cycle Open We appreciate your interest in partnering with us to strengthen our community, the 2026 Grant is now accepting applications. The deadline to apply is June 7 at 11:59pm. Grant making is at the heart of The Community Foundation of Will County’s work to enhance the quality of life in Will County.

We award grants annually to not-for-profits for a broad array of charitable purposes in the area such as healthcare, human services, education and cultural arts. As you prepare your application, let us highlight some key priorities: First, we are looking for collaboration. We strongly encourage partnerships between organizations and thoughtful coordination within the community.

It is to your advantage to not duplicate services or programs that are already being provided by another organization. Show us how your project fills a gap, enhances existing efforts, or builds strategic partnerships to maximize impact. Second, our grants are not intended for operational expenses, (such as funding salaries, utilities, rent, or general overhead).

Instead, focus on physical, tangible items — things that will serve your organization and the community for years to come. Think of equipment, infrastructure improvements, technology, or program tools that have long-term value. Third, be specific.

While we appreciate learning about your organization as a whole, we need to clearly understand the project tied directly to this grant request. Tell us exactly what you are purchasing or building. Use numbers and even line items to help us understand exactly what the grant will fund.

Our grants seek to address larger issues of importance in our community, especially those which: Reflect a strategic collaborative partnership – not-for-profits working together to address a wider need; Address a critical need impacting a wide segment of the community; Build the organizational capacity of a nonprofit to be more effective and efficient in how they do their work.

Specifics help us evaluate impact, sustainability, and feasibility. How many people will be served? What measurable difference will this project make?

How long will the equipment or improvement be in use? The clearer and more concrete your proposal, the stronger it will be. We are excited to invest in projects that create lasting value, strengthen partnerships, and make a measurable difference in our community.

Thank you, and we look forward to reviewing your applications. Our maximum grant is $15,000. We focus on assisting programs that help the highest number of Will County residents as possible.

Please be very specific in your requests regarding the population(s) served, all of whom must be located in Will County. If you have additional questions, please contact us at 779. 285.

2173 . Thank you! Online Application will be made available April 1, 2026 Grant deadline to apply is June 7 at 11:59pm.

Applications will be reviewed Summer 2026 Notifications will be sent to applicants late August 2026 Please be advised this is a new application system. Please follow the prompts to login and start the application process. There will be a video tutorial in your dashboard that we encourage you to watch.

If you experience any problems or have questions, please call the Community Foundation directly at 779. 285. 2173 .

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors Dr. Nadia and Michael Carpanzano