Community Grants Program

The Community Grants Program is the local grantmaking program at the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln. The Program accepts funding requests for any charitable focus area in Cass, Christian, Logan, Macoupin, Menard, Montgomery, Morgan, and Sangamon counties.

This program was initiated to expose donor-advised funds to funding opportunities of which they may not otherwise be aware. Donors review the grant requests submitted by nonprofit organizations through this program, potentially partner with each other, and make decisions on funding.

2024 Grant Awards

The Community Grants Program awarded more than $313,000, as 37 donor-advised funds helped support more than 70 charitable programs across central Illinois.

Organization Purpose
Animal Protective League of Springfield and Sangamon County To support Pet Food Bank
Another Chance Services Supplies for the Tower of Hope Nonfood Basic Hygiene Pantry
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Illinois Mentor2.0 program at Southeast High School
Bless'It Beauty Salon, NFP "Building Your Best You" - Women's Empowerment Program
Christian County CEO Training opportunity for the program facilitator
Christmas on Vinegar Hill NFP Christmas on Vinegar Hill event in Mount Pulaski, IL
Clean Slate Advocates NFP Inc. Strategic planning to guide infrastructure development
Compass for Kids, Inc. Club Compass
Compass for Kids, Inc. To fix or replace second story windows in administrative office located at 1201 S. 4th St. Springfield
Creative Reuse Marketplace Program integrating art and music education into alternative schools
Dana Thomas House Foundation To remodel the house at 308 E. Lawrence, making it ADA accessible, for use as the DTHF Sumac Shop & program space
Educational Center for the Visually Impaired To establish and sustain two Personal Vision Coaches in counties surrounding Springfield
Emerald Gardens Nonprofit Essential office equipment
Eta Psi Sigma Foundation Historical marker project of Springfield's oldest black churches
Fifth Street Renaissance Seven units of permanent supportive housing for female veterans and their families experiencing homelessness
Fishing Has No Boundaries - Capital City Chapter Tent, tables, chairs, and portable toilet rentals for event
Friends of Original Leland Farm House Restoration of doorway and transom
Girl Scouts of Central Illinois Mental health curriculum to 200 at-risk Sangamon County girls, age 5-17
Girls on the Run of Central Illinois GOTR program at Black Hawk Elementary, Graham Elementary, and Ridgely Elementary
Grace Lutheran Food Pantry Food pantry
Habitat for Humanity of Sangamon County Continuing Homeowner Education Program
Heartland HOUSED To hire part-time Street Outreach workers to strengthening homeless crisis response system
Hispanic Women of Springfield Annual Hispanic Heritage Festival and Expo Latin
Hoogland Center for the Arts Installation of a balcony safety rail in the Peggy Ryder Theatre
Hoogland Center for the Arts Modernization of two elevators
Hope School Foundation To purchase a side-by-side trike and one bike helmet
Illinois Literacy Foundation Statewide marketing project to recruit volunteer tutors
Illinois Symphony Orchestra Inc. ISYO Starter Strings program
Intricate Minds Food pantry, personal care items, coffee bar, office supplies, and Creation Station
Jacksonville Main Street Renovation of the General Benjamin Grierson mural on West State Street in downtown Jacksonville
Kumler Outreach Ministries Four computers, a router, and a printer for computer classes
Kumler Outreach Ministries Weatherproof box, privacy fence, harvest bins, and continued outreach efforts for the Enos Park Neighborhood Gardens
Lincoln Presidential Foundation Development of the Rosenwald House exhibit
Loving Arms Pregnancy Center General operating costs
MERCY Communities, Inc. Beds to furnish client homes
Mini O'Beirne Crisis Nursery Food for children being cared for in crisis nursery
Motherland Gardens Community Project Installation of permanent benches and tables in community garden
Nokomis Christian Missions Basic needs of the organization
Our Saviour School, Jacksonville IL Resealing of school playground
Peace Lutheran Church To support food insecurity ministry
Prairie Center Against Sexual Assault Public transportation costs for clients and their children receiving services
Prevent Child Abuse Illinois Unrestricted
Providing Healthcare Access To Social Service 217 (PHASE 217) East Springfield community mapping of accessible recreation for adults with disabilities and develop/conduct survey to assess needs/barriers to accessing services
Providing Healthcare Access To Social Service 217 (PHASE 217) Doc Talk 2025
Refuge Ranch Accessibility and Empowerment Project
Regional Housing and Supportive Services Renovation of former nursing home to house homeless veterans and others in need
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois Hospitality Cart and Post Partum Kit Programs
Sangamon County Fair Sensory-friendly carnival hours at the 2025 Sangamon County Fair
Scholastic Art Awards Mid-Central Illinois Region To offset the fee for Mid-Central Illinois Region of the Scholastic Art Awards to participate in the Scholastic Art Awards Program
Senior Services of Central Illinois Daily Bread Nutrition program
SoberAwakening Inc. NFP Launch of monthly podcast series
Sparc 12 CPR-training manikins and 12 AED trainers
Special Olympics Illinois Region H tournament at Illinois College in February 2025
Springfield Area Arts Council General operating fund
Springfield Area Reading Is Fundamental Assn. Pleasure reading books to be given to local schoolchildren
Springfield Art Association Six new 3-D printers
Springfield Art Association Quarterly workshops for veterans in different creative media
Springfield Art Association Restoration of the SAA Bicentennial Bison sculpture
Springfield Coalition on Dismantling Racism (SCoDR) SCoDR Project Coordinator position
Springfield Noon Lions Club Foundation Pre-School Sight & Sound program, offering eyeglasses and hearing aids to pre-school children that can't afford them
St. Patrick Catholic School To purchase the iWave Donor Database to enhance fundraising efforts and streamline donor research
The Helping Paw Project General and emergency vet care for county pounds, shelters, and owners of senior dogs
The Macoupin Art Collective Art classes within county and state level correctional facilities
The Outlet To replace stained glass windows in the historic chapel
The Outlet To purchase outdoor seating (picnic table bench sets with umbrella) for the program participants
The Parent Place Basic essentials such as diapers/wipes and mileage reimbursement for diaper delivery to low-income mothers and their babies
The Parent Place Supervised parenting time between non-custodial parents and their children
The Salvation Army Clear Lake Corps and Community Center Food pantry
United Way of Central Illinois Dolly Parton's Imagination Library program in Sangamon and Menard Counties
United Way of Logan County Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in Logan County
University of Illinois Foundation (UIS) Public Affairs Reporting (PAR) Program To supplement wages of student interns employed by the UIS Public Affairs Reporting Program
University of Illinois Foundation (UIS) Visual Arts Gallery To support a collaborative project with Kidzeum to create exhibit that intersects art and science
Village of Palmyra, Illinois Renovations of public municipal kitchen located in the municipal building
Washington Street Mission Guiding Your Way Home program
Washington Street Mission Immediate basic needs of those experiencing homelessness or living in poverty
Washington Street Mission Supportive Employment Program and Life Skills Program
Wooden It Be Lovely Women Back to Work program
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