2026 Neighborhood Grants Program is sponsored by Community Foundation of Northern Illinois. Promotes resident participation and leadership in neighborhood groups working to improve quality of life.

Neighborhood Grants Program | Community Foundation of Northern IL Neighborhood Grants Program Promote resident participation and leadership while encouraging and supporting neighborhood groups that work to preserve and improve quality of life at the local level.

The Neighborhood Grants Program is designed to promote resident participation and leadership while encouraging and supporting neighborhood groups working to preserve and improve quality of life at the local level. Funding supports projects that bring neighbors together, strengthen community connections, and produce visible, meaningful improvements within defined geographic areas.

Funds are allocated to the program each year and available until depleted; applications are accepted and awards made on a rolling basis. Because available funds are limited, program criteria are very specific. Community members can register for our info/work session taking place on March 7, 2026 .

Neighborhood Grant Guidelines Applications must meet the following criteria: Be an organized neighborhood group carrying out a charitable purpose for the common good Not be a 501(c)(3) organization or a religious organization Have at least three active leaders (i.e. President, Treasurer, Secretary, etc.) Maintain a checking account in the name of the group or organization Operate without discrimination Be located in Boone, Ogle, Stephenson, or Winnebago County, Illinois Present a clear plan for a project that benefits residents within a defined geographic area Demonstrate the capacity to complete the proposed project within 10 months Be current on all final reports from any previously awarded Neighborhood Grants Program funding Are generated, led, and executed by residents of the neighborhood; Build on the assets existing in the neighborhood, including using the skills of residents, involving youth or working with an existing neighborhood group; and Encourage partnerships between residents, businesses, non-profits and institutions (e.g., schools or churches) within the neighborhood.

Resident-Focused Seminars Neighborhood Activities & Surveys Permanent fixtures (i.e., trash receptacles, planters) must be installed on public property or common areas. Landscape projects must have a maintenance plan (i.e., watering, weeding). **Reforestation Projects: Trees must be planted in public or common areas, not private property.

Grants are not made from the Neighborhood Grants Program for the following: Landscaping private property. Activities that primarily benefit non-resident individuals, organizations, or groups. Projects and programs that promote a religion or require participation in a religious activity as a condition for receiving services.

However, grants may be made to faith-based organizations for other purposes. Budget Instructions and Samples Neighborhood Grant applicants should use this budget template when submitting their application: Grant recipients will be asked to complete an online Final Report by December 2nd of the funded year. Past grant recipients will be excluded from future grant consideration if the final report has not been submitted for prior funding.

The online Final Report form is available soon after award notification and submitted via CFNIL’s online grants portal . You can access the Final Report Form from the Applicant Dashboard within your portal account. Contact Lisa DeLang with any questions: edelang@cfnil.

org or 779-210-8210. Applications for the Neighborhood Grants Program will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. Applications must be submitted through CFNIL’s Online Application Portal .

If you have not already created a portal account, please follow the instructions on the portal login page to create your account. If you need more help creating your account or utilizing the portal, visit our Grant Resources page or contact Lisa DeLang at 779-210-8210 or edelang@cfnil. org .

Questions? Contact Lisa !