Community Grant

The Community Foundation of the Quincy Area administers the annual Community Grant Program to support nonprofits and public-serving institutions within a defined 12-county service area across Illinois and Missouri. The program aims to enhance the quality of life in West Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri by funding a broad range of initiatives that respond to local needs and opportunities. The grants are awarded through a competitive application process and are intended to strengthen nonprofit services and encourage impactful community partnerships. Evaluations are conducted by a volunteer committee, taking into consideration the program budget and any relevant fund restrictions. Eligible applicants include organizations recognized as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, units of government or municipalities applying for public or charitable purposes, and faith-based organizations proposing programs that serve the public good without promoting specific religious doctrines. Charitable projects operating under a documented fiscal sponsorship agreement with a 501(c)(3) organization are also eligible, provided they submit appropriate documentation during the application process. To qualify, applicants must serve at least one of the following counties: Adams, Brown, Hancock, or Pike in Illinois; or Clark, Knox, Lewis, Marion, Monroe, Pike, Ralls, or Shelby in Missouri. Both project-specific requests and general operating support are eligible for funding. Grants range from $1,000 to $7,500, and partial awards may be given based on available funds. All funded projects must be completed within one year of award. The Community Foundation prioritizes proposals that address clearly defined community needs, promote collaboration among local organizations, serve significant or underserved populations, and demonstrate a meaningful impact relative to the size of the grant. Organizations applying for funding must articulate how their initiative aligns with these goals and provide supporting documentation, including a budget for the proposed project, the organization’s annual budget, and its most recent financial statement. Applications open March 1, 2026, and close May 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM. Optional but encouraged support opportunities include in-person and virtual applicant info sessions, a financial workshop, and one-on-one review sessions with program staff between April 1 and April 17. Awards will be announced in early August, and funds will be distributed by August 19, 2026. Applicants may submit one application to the Community Grant program per cycle, but may submit up to two additional request summaries to the Community Foundation’s Book of Opportunities, a public-facing donor catalog. Contact information for the program includes Kent Embree, Program Officer, and general inquiries may be directed to [email protected] or 217-222-1237. Additional materials and the full program description are available at the official PDF link provided by the Community Foundation.

Attend optional workshops and schedule one-on-one reviews for feedback before submission.