Fine Arts Fund Grant

The Fine Arts Fund is administered by the Community Foundation of Kankakee River Valley, a regional philanthropic organization serving nonprofit initiatives in the Greater Kankakee River Valley Area. The fund was established through a community-driven campaign that began in 2020, supported by a matching grant from Norm Strasma. The purpose of the fund is to foster creative expression and cultural enrichment by supporting artistic projects and organizations that benefit the local community. The Fine Arts Fund provides grants to nonprofit community organizations, with eligibility limited to entities operating within the Greater Kankakee River Valley Area. Eligible applicants must be recognized as charitable organizations with a valid 501(c)(3) designation from the Internal Revenue Service or be a qualified quasi-governmental agency, such as a school district, public library, or park district. Only one proposal is accepted per organization per grant cycle. Organizations may reapply in future cycles, but each application must be resubmitted in full. Grants are awarded across a broad spectrum of artistic disciplines, including painting, music, literature, architecture, sculpture, performing arts, and film. Example projects include murals, school music programs, author events, architecture education, community sculptures, local theatre productions, and documentaries. Applications that clearly communicate public impact, community visibility, and measurable outcomes are prioritized. Creativity and public engagement are also key factors in evaluation. Awards are generally made for a one-year term, though multi-year funding may be considered in cases where sustainability is strongly demonstrated. Funding decisions are made through a two-tiered process. Applications are submitted through the Community Foundation’s online grant portal, after which they are reviewed by the Fine Arts Grants Committee. This committee evaluates each application and makes recommendations to the Community Foundation Board of Directors, which grants final approval. Site visits may be conducted as part of the evaluation process. Applicants must adhere strictly to the grant application instructions, as incomplete or incorrectly formatted submissions may be disqualified. While the Fine Arts Fund aims to support a wide range of artistic endeavors, some uses are ineligible for funding. These include projects with primarily religious purposes (unless aligned with the fund’s mission), advertising purchases, debt reduction (unless tied to training-related capital), political campaigns, and multiple proposals from a single organization. Expenses related to short-term technology, general administrative costs, salaries, and office overhead are also discouraged and may jeopardize funding consideration. To apply, organizations must access the online application via the Community Foundation’s website. All recipients are required to complete a follow-up report detailing the outcomes and public impact of the funded project. Questions about the application process may be directed to the Foundation's contact, Mia, via email at mia@cfkrv.org or by phone at 815-939-1611. The grant is currently open for applications, though specific deadlines are not listed in the source material. Applicants are encouraged to review the grant portal for the latest information on timelines and submission requirements.

Applicants should adhere strictly to instructions. Site visits may be conducted.