Applications Open Jan. 14 for CommunityWorks Nonprofit Grant Awards
$200,000 available for education, workforce development and land use/protection priorities
Beginning Jan. 14, 2022, The Community Foundation of Macon County (CFMC) is accepting online applications from Macon County nonprofit organizations seeking grant awards from the CommunityWorks Endowment Fund. Total available funding for these annual grants is $200,000, and funding is restricted to programs that prioritize –
- Education ($100K total awarded, minimum individual funding level per grant award is $10,000),
- Workforce Development ($50K, minimum funding per grant $5,000) or
- Land Use/Protection ($50K, minimum funding per grant $5,000).
Once the portal opens Jan. 14, applications may be completed and submitted through the link at www.heartofillinois.org/communityworks. Deadline to apply is Feb. 18, and award recipients will be announced March 29.
Organizations applying for these grants from must submit a new or existing program that meets at least one of the specified criteria listed for the chosen funding area:
Education
- Increase access to quality, affordable education
- Expand availability of quality childcare facilities
- Strengthen educational programs and management capacities
Workforce Development
- Job retention and career advancement
- Job creation
- Access/transportation options to jobs
- Adult literacy
Land Use/Protection Issues in Macon County
- Protection and restoration of natural lands and waterways
- Development of clean renewable energy and prevention of pollution
- Expansion/connection of preserved natural lands
- Implementation of regional growth
- Management and land use strategies that promote economic vitality and environmental health
- Educating the public in the above issues
In 2005, The Community Foundation of Macon County was one of only 18 initial foundations selected to receive a CommunityWorks grant from the Grand Victoria Foundation to establish an endowment fund. Through the years, generous donors have added to the fund stewarded at CFMC to meet challenge matches required by that foundation.
