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.

2023 Grant Awards

The Community Grants Program awarded more than $197,000 in grants in 2023, as 30 donor-advised funds helped fund 66 different programs by nonprofits in central Illinois.

Organization Purpose
Ann T Havey Foundation Support the Bundles of Joy program
Another Chance Services Non-food hygiene pantry
Best Buddies International Best Buddies Citizens program
Blended Artists Imaginarium Inc Support local theatrical productions in underserved rural community
Carlinville Women's Center, Teen Challenge Illinois Scholarships for Springfield-area women with life-controlling addictions entering residential rehabilitation/recovery program
Central Illinois Foodbank Purchase nutritious, culturally appropriate food for Cass County
Central Illinois Veterans Commission Support conversion of former nursing home in Logan County into a shelter and services center serving needs of the local population, including homeless veterans
Christmas on Vinegar Hill, NFP Promotion of the Christmas on Vinegar Hill event
Community Mission Center General operations
Compass for Kids Support launch of Youth Leadership Development Program
Contact Ministries -Prescriptions Prescription co-pays and over-the-counter medication for women and children experiencing homelessness
Contact Ministries -Shelter Support Emergency and Transitional shelter, housing homeless women and children
Copper Coin Ballet Company Support free production of "The Nutcracker" at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum during DSI Old Capitol Holiday Walks
Ecofluent Wages for part-time employee to fundraise and harvest fruit for Springfield farmer's market; pay for a new publicly accessible orchard in central Illinois
Educational Center for the Visually Impaired To establish and sustain a Personal Vision Coach in additional counties
Fishing Has No Boundaries - Capital City Chapter To purchase event t-shirts and hats
Hearts United Association Purchase and install heavy duty, outdoor lockers w/ combination locks as temporary storage for homeless clients
Illinois State Museum Society Support public programming for the Illinois State Museum's annual Day of the Dead exhibition
Jacksonville Main Street Update and repair district wayfinding signage; create web pages for mural histories; create and install QR code signage to direct mural viewers to website for further education about mural subjects; and update a Civil War battle mural to reduce prominence of Confederate flag; repair broken display frames in kiosk and on side of a building
Jared's Keepers Foundation, Inc To teach students (K-12) and their families how to cook healthy and cost-effective meals
Kumler Outreach Ministries Support for The Enos Park Neighborhood Gardens , hire 2024 Free Farmers Market Manager, and provide seed money for the purchase of on-site greenhouse
Land of Lincoln Goodwill Hire a career services director
Lincoln Economic Advancement & Development, Inc. (LEAD) To provide community training events in Lincoln, IL
Macoupin Center for the Developmentally Disabled Offset the rising cost of transportation for students
Springfield Public Schools District 186 Matheny-Withrow Elementary School - Camp Kindergarten: Ready, Set, Go!
Menard County Trails & Greenways Install bike route signs with arrows on 6 county road routes in Menard County
Nokomis Christian Missions General operations
Prairie Center Against Sexual Assault To provide clean, fresh clothing, undergarments and footwear to sexual assault victims.
Pregnancy Care Center of Springfield, Inc To provide clients with laundry supplies, toiletry items and nutritious foods
Prevent Child Abuse Illinois Support for current prevention programs; pursuit of new projects to benefit children and families across Illinois
Raymond Park District To support creation of three pickleball courts by resurfacing an old tennis court
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois To provide 40 nights of stay for families who have children receiving medical in Springfield
Safe Families for Children Alliance General operations
Scholastic Art Awards Mid-Central Illinois Region Participation in the Scholastic Art Awards program
Senior Services of Central Illinois To purchase two portable threshold wheelchair ramps, provide supportive services for seniors experiencing bed bug infestations, and purchase OWL video conferencing microphone for employee trainings and meetings
SIU - Board of Trustees To install water spigot and secure garden supplies for Pillsbury Neighborhood Garden
Springfield & Central Illinois African American History Foundation/Museum To support the African American History Summer Camp (grades 4-6), Youth Art Gallery and storage cases for traveling exhibits.
Springfield Area Reading Is Fundamental Association To provide elementary students the opportunity to choose and keep free books three times a year for three years
St. Patrick Catholic School To purchase playground equipment for Pre-k and kindergarten classes
The James Project To help foster families living in our James Project Homes to pay their utility bills in 2023
The Joy of Movement To support weekly adapted group dance classes for older adults with Parkinson disease (PD) and their care partners
The KASE Project To support the establishment of "SibShops" in Sangamon County
The Motherland Gardens Community Project To support the summer camp sessions to teach young people and families to increase the understanding of the From Seeds to Table program
The Parent Place - Diaper Pantry Basic essentials and support of diaper pantry clients
The Parent Place - Parenting curriculum To provide parent education to other community partners four times a month, through the Nurturing Parenting curriculum
The Salvation Army Clear Lake Corps and Community Center -Food Pantry To support food pantry
The Salvation Army Morgan County - Client Choice Food Pantry To purchase food for our Client Choice Food Pantry
United Area Christian Church Pantry Pals - to provide weekend meals to students in Litchfield CSD, grades K-8
United Way of Central Illinois To expand the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library program in Sangamon and Menard County
United Way of Logan County To support the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in Logan County
University of Illinois Foundation - NPR Illinois Conduct Part II of LISTEN, a series of listening sessions and surveys to ascertain what information is most needed from local media (NPR Illinois)
University of Illinois Foundation - UIS Sangamon Experience UIS - Sangamon Experience - support video production
University of Illinois Foundation - UIS Visual Arts Gallery UIS Visual Arts Gallery - new glass storefront entryway
Village of Palmyra To support the purchase of four new "Welcome" signs at each town entrance
Washington Street Mission Support of basic needs to increasing numbers of homeless for daytime shelter, food, clothing, and hygiene
Wooden It Be Lovely To update original equipment, replace dated tools, modernize and replenish supplies, and focus on products for work safety
cityscape