Discretionary Grant Program

The Discretionary Grantmaking Program is administered by the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley, an organization committed to supporting the well-being of residents within its service area, which includes Kane and Kendall counties in Illinois. The Foundation prioritizes charitable efforts in Arts and Humanities, Education, Health Care, and Social Services. The program is specifically designed to provide capital funding to nonprofit organizations operating in or significantly impacting the Foundation's geographic focus. This program exclusively funds capital projects. Eligible uses of grant funds include technology, furniture, equipment, and infrastructure improvements for buildings owned by the nonprofit, such as carpeting, windows, and HVAC systems. Operational costs, salaries, rent, and other ongoing expenses are not eligible. Organizations must be “project ready,” meaning they must have cost estimates and a timeline for project completion within one year. The Foundation typically awards grants for one year and seldom funds projects in full. Eligibility is limited to tax-exempt public charities that can provide documentation of their 501(c)(3) or 170(b)(1)(A) status. Preference is given to organizations also exempt from Illinois state sales tax or those that have documented a denied exemption. Organizations must be located in the Greater Aurora Area, the TriCities, or Kendall County, although nonprofits outside the area may be considered if they can demonstrate a significant local impact. Previous grant recipients must wait at least two years from the last grant payment before applying again. To apply, organizations must begin by submitting a Letter of Intent (LOI) through the Foundation’s online grant management portal. Once submitted, applicants will be contacted to confirm eligibility and to schedule a site visit. If deemed eligible after the site visit, applicants will receive instructions for completing the full grant application. Applications are only accepted online and cannot be submitted via paper forms. The process also requires setting up an online account which stores all application and grant history. Grants are awarded biannually in spring and fall cycles. In the spring, the LOI is available from February 1 to March 31, and the application closes on May 1. In the fall, the LOI is open from August 1 to September 30, and the application deadline is November 1. Applicants are typically notified of award decisions 30 to 45 days after the application deadline, following a review process based on number of applications, requested funding, available funds, and the potential impact of the proposed projects. For assistance, applicants can contact Jen Borgognoni, Director of Grantmaking, via email or phone at 630-896-7800 x.1002 or 331-208-9422. The Foundation also provides technical support for its online grants portal and encourages early registration to avoid last-minute complications. Additional resources, including previews of the LOI and full application, are available on the Foundation’s website.