Boone County Community Foundation Grants

The Boone County Community Foundation administers a community grant program funded by the Melvin & Mildred Banks Grant Fund and the Wilbur & William Cummings Grant Fund. Both funds were established through the generosity of long-time Boone County residents who dedicated their lives to local business, farming, and community service. The Banks Fund is an unrestricted fund intended to support a variety of nonprofit initiatives within Boone County, Illinois, while the Cummings Fund focuses primarily on supporting the Boone County Fair Association and the Boone County Historical Society, with the remainder available for other community purposes. The purpose of the grant program is to award funding for projects that enhance the quality of life in Boone County. Eligible activities include programs and initiatives in health and social services, educational programs, community and neighborhood projects, projects for children, youth, and families, and cultural and arts-related initiatives. Funding is not provided for fundraisers, budget deficits, or scholarships. Eligible applicants must be not-for-profit organizations or public sector service organizations that carry out charitable projects or provide services within Boone County, Illinois. Organizations must operate in compliance with anti-discrimination laws and have submitted a final or progress report for any prior grant received from the Foundation. Applicants must also demonstrate fiscal responsibility, provide measurable outcomes, and submit clear, balanced budgets that outline expenses, potential in-kind contributions, and other funding sources. Applications open annually on August 1 and close on September 15, with funded projects to be completed in the year following the application. The Foundation looks for projects that address identified community needs, celebrate diversity, articulate reasonable and measurable goals, and encourage collaboration with other organizations. Strong proposals should clearly outline the planning process, describe completion goals, and provide evidence of sound organizational management. The application process is conducted online through the Foundation’s portal. For 2025, applicants must register through a new portal system. Any organization that has previously received funding must complete and submit a final or progress report before applying again. The application requires a completed form, a 500-word narrative describing the project's impact, history and mission of the organization, project uniqueness, goals, measurable outcomes, evaluation process, collaborating partners, other funding sources, and plans for adapting the project based on funding availability. Additional required materials include a proposed project budget, proof of nonprofit status, a one-page budget summary for the current fiscal year, resumes for project leaders or contracted individuals, a current board of directors list, and examples of organizational publications or promotional materials. Applicants must submit a final report and budget within 30 days of project completion. If the previous year's funded project is incomplete by the next application deadline, a progress report must be submitted instead. Questions about the grant process, portal registration, or report submissions can be directed to the Boone County Community Foundation office at 815-544-7231 or via email at merickson@boonecountycommunityfoundation.org. The Foundation's office is located at 600 South State Street, Belvidere, IL 61008.

The Foundation values projects addressing community needs, celebrating diversity, fostering cooperation, demonstrating measurable results, and showing fiscal responsibility