Community Grant

The SRCCF Community Grant is offered by the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation (SRCCF), an Illinois-based philanthropic organization with a mission to connect people who care with causes that matter. The foundation operates out of Ottawa, Illinois, and is dedicated to strengthening the communities in LaSalle, Bureau, and Putnam counties through targeted grantmaking that supports a wide range of charitable endeavors. Through its Community Grant initiative, SRCCF provides financial assistance to eligible nonprofit entities aiming to generate meaningful, positive impact within their local service areas. Grants are awarded to nonprofit organizations, schools, libraries, and community groups operating in the three eligible counties. A critical requirement is proof of 501(c)(3) nonprofit status from the IRS, which must accompany all applications. Organizations operating under fiscal sponsorship, public schools, colleges, and local government entities may also qualify. However, applicants not falling into one of these predefined organizational types are strongly advised to contact SRCCF before submitting a proposal. All grants must be used for charitable purposes that broadly serve the local community. Funds that are not utilized for the stated purpose must be returned to SRCCF. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the calendar year. Rather than being reviewed upon submission, they are collectively evaluated at the end of each quarter. The SRCCF Board of Directors serves as the primary review body, and applicants may be contacted for additional information or a site visit. Funding decisions are competitive and based on available funds and the expected community impact of the proposed project or initiative. Applicants are notified of outcomes within four weeks after the close of the review quarter. Approved grants are disbursed shortly thereafter, and funds must be used in alignment with the approved proposal. Although not all projects require one, final reports may be mandated depending on the nature of the funded activity. When required, these reports must be submitted no later than 60 days following the completion of the program, event, or initiative. Noncompliance with reporting requirements will render the grantee ineligible for future awards until compliance is met. These post-grant evaluations are important for assessing the effectiveness and sustainability of funded initiatives. The SRCCF Community Grant application requires substantial information about the applying organization, including its history, mission, leadership, and board structure. Applicants must also provide a clear proposal summary, goals, objectives, and evaluation metrics. Emphasis is placed on SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) objectives. The budget must be program-specific and balanced in terms of income and expenses. Long-term goals and sustainability plans are also requested to determine ongoing viability. Applications are to be submitted via email to [email protected]. The required application form can be downloaded directly from SRCCF’s website. Incomplete applications or those missing required documentation, such as IRS determination letters, may be delayed or denied. While there is no formal match requirement, organizations are encouraged to identify other funding sources and articulate how they will sustain their projects over time. Partnerships and collaborations are welcomed, and proposals are evaluated partly on the applicant’s capacity to meet its proposed goals independently or in partnership with others.