Impact Central Illinois Grant Program 2025

The Impact Central Illinois 2025 Grant Cycle is now open, offering significant funding opportunities for local nonprofit organizations. This women's collective giving organization combines contributions from members to fund impactful projects addressing critical community needs. For 2025, Impact Central Illinois plans to award three IMPACT Grants of $100,000 each and one INSPIRE Grant of $25,000, with the final grant amounts confirmed in December 2024. The funding cycle runs from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, with grants awarded during the organization’s annual meeting in June 2025. Nonprofits interested in applying must first complete Phase 1, which involves submitting financial documentation and an organizational questionnaire via the online portal by January 1, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST. This phase focuses on financial integrity, and the Financial Review Committee (FRC) will evaluate the submitted documentation in early 2025 to assess each organization's readiness to receive and implement a grant. Organizations approved during this phase will be invited in February 2025 to submit detailed proposals and budgets for consideration. Impact Central Illinois evaluates applications through a five-phase process. In Phase 2 and 3, eligible organizations submit proposals and project budgets, which are reviewed by the Grant Review Committees (GRCs). Phase 4 involves on-site visits and interviews with selected organizations’ leadership. Finally, in Phase 5, two finalists from each focus area are invited to the annual meeting, where they present their proposals, and members vote to select the grant recipients. Grant applications must align with one of three focus areas: Health & Community Wellbeing, Education & Community Development, or Social Services & Basic Needs. Smaller nonprofits applying for the INSPIRE Grant do not need to select a specific focus area. Applicants are required to submit three years of filed organizational 990s (990 or 990-EZ, not 990-N), proof of 501(c)(3) status, proof of good standing, and, if applicable, the most recent audit. For organizations unable to file 990s, a financial review template is available. Nonprofits are encouraged to thoroughly review the guidelines and submit complete and accurate documentation to maximize their chances of advancing through the grant cycle. Questions can be directed to grants@impactcentralillinois.org, and more details are available on the Impact Central Illinois website. This grant opportunity offers a substantial funding boost to organizations addressing critical community issues with innovative and measurable solutions.