CFCI Community Needs Grants

The Community Needs Grants program is administered by the Community Foundation of Central Illinois (CFCI), a private philanthropic organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in Central Illinois. Located in Peoria, CFCI manages a range of donor funds and channels them into strategic, impactful grants aimed at supporting long-term community growth and well-being. Their competitive grantmaking approach emphasizes focus, strategy, and collaboration. All grants are reviewed and awarded with a commitment to measurable outcomes, sustainability, and alignment with regional priorities as defined by both the foundation and its donor-advised funds. The Community Needs Grants are part of CFCI’s suite of annual funding opportunities and are specifically targeted at nonprofit organizations that serve individuals within a 50-mile radius of Peoria, Illinois, excluding Knox and McLean counties. This program is designed to support work that aligns with CFCI's established Areas of Focus: Children & Youth, Community Improvement, Education, Health, Human Services, and Workforce Development. These grants are funded through field of interest and unrestricted funds held by the foundation. Applicants may request up to $15,000 for one-year projects. Importantly, the Community Needs Grants do not fund food-related initiatives; such projects are instead supported through CFCI’s separate Ending Hunger Together Grants program. Grant funding may support either new or existing programs, provided they are legal, well-organized, and demonstrate tangible community benefit. Proposals must articulate clear objectives and measurable outcomes that show alignment with CFCI’s broader mission of community investment. Eligibility is limited to organizations holding 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, entities operating under a fiscal sponsor that is a qualified nonprofit, as well as schools, churches, and units of local government. Faith-based organizations are eligible provided the funded services benefit the broader community and are not used for sectarian religious purposes. Applicants must also be in good standing with the foundation, meaning that any prior CFCI-funded projects must have completed their evaluation requirements. If the prior project is ongoing and the final evaluation is not yet due, an interim letter summarizing progress is required with the new application. Applications must be submitted online by 5:00 p.m. Central Time on the first Wednesday in September. Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered. Each organization may submit only one application per grant program annually. The proposal must be reviewed and signed by both the preparer and a senior executive from the applying organization. CFCI reserves the right to change application requirements up to 60 days before the deadline. Following submission, each application will undergo a review process lasting approximately 30 to 60 days, during which applicants may be contacted for additional information. The grant evaluation, due within one month of project completion, is mandatory. Failure to submit a complete and timely evaluation report will disqualify the organization from applying for further grants for at least two years. All updates, guidelines, and application portals can be accessed through the CFCI website at www.communityfoundationci.org. For direct assistance, applicants may contact the foundation by phone at 309-674-8730. No individual contact name or email is provided in the current grant guidelines document.