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.

2026 Grant Awards

The Community Grants Program awarded more than $300,000, as 32 donor-advised funds helped support 68 charitable requests across central Illinois.

Organization Project Name
Abraham Lincoln Memorial Garden Foundation Inc Equipment to Aid in Maintenance of Lincoln Memorial Garden’s Trail System
Abraham Lincoln Memorial Garden Foundation Inc Update Accessibility Features of Children's Woodland Garden at Lincoln Memorial Garden
American Red Cross of South and West Central Illinois Disaster Cycle Services
Animal Protective League of Springfield and Sangamon County Animal Protective League Tornado Relief
Blackburn University dba Blackburn College Supporting Students through Need-Based Emergency Funds and Essential Resources at Blackburn College
Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois University HIV Prevention for All
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Illinois Project Learn
Carlinville Fire District Macoupin County CPR, AED, and Emergency Readiness Training Initiative
Compass for Kids Club Compass
Contact Ministries Safe Spaces, Sound Structures Partnership
Creative Reuse Marketplace Creative Connections: An Art & Music-Based SEL Program
Kiwanis Club of Springfield Downtown Foundation Needy Student Assistance Project
Enos Park Neighborhood Gardens Community Garden Support
Envision Unlimited Hope Springs Apartments Supportive Housing Services
Eta Psi Sigma Foundation Preserving the History of Springfield's Black Soldiers
Fishing Has No Boundaries - Capital City Chapter Fishing Has No Boundaries Annual Fishing Event on September 26, 2026
Girls on the Run of Central Illinois Power Up with Girls on the Run
Grace Lutheran Food Pantry Grace Lutheran Food Pantry
Heartland CASA NFP Heartland CASA, NFP
Heartland HOUSED Income Maximization Summit
Illinois Foundation FFA Illinois FFA Middle School Conference
Illinois Presbyterian Home Communities Creation of Dog Park and Gazebo Repairs
Illinois State Museum Society Voices Remembered: Inclusive Storytelling and Healing Through the 1908 Race Riot Exhibition
Illinois Symphony Orchestra Illinois Symphony Orchestra Youth Education Initiative
Junior Achievement of Central Illinois CareerSpark Career Exploration
Let's Grow Fillmore Community Playground Improvement Project
Loving Arms Pregnancy Center General Operating Expenses
MERCY Communities, Inc. MERCY Communities Housing Programs (Transitional and Permanent)
Mini O'Beirne Crisis Nursery Mini O'Beirne Crisis Nursery
One in a Million Inc. Community, Youth and Adult Program
Peace Lutheran Church Peace Lutheran Church Food Ministry
Preservation, Inc. Preserving History—Expanding Access
Prevent Child Abuse Illinois Prevent Child Abuse Illinois
Providing Healthcare Access To Social Services Project Health program
Refuge Ranch Refuge Ranch Bridges Mentoring and Freedom Reins Adaptive Riding Program
Regional Housing and Supportive Services Hope on 5th
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois Ronald McDonald House Hospital Partner Programs
San Damiano College for the Trades Re-build Project
Sangamon County Child Advocacy Center Sangamon County Child Advocacy Center
Scholastic Art Awards Mid-Central Illinois Region Scholastic Art Awards Mid-Central IL Art Region Honors Day 2027
Senior Services of Central Illinois Senior Transportation
Solid Rock Youth Transitional Services Solid Foundations Meals Program
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine Preparing Medical Learners to Recognize and Respond to Suicide Risk
Special Olympics Illinois Region H Special Olympics Illinois Region H
Springfield Area Arts Council First Night Springfield
Springfield Area Reading Is Fundamental Assn. Springfield Area Reading Is Fundamental Program
Springfield Art Association of Edwards Place Historic Broadwell Building Staircase repair
Springfield Center for Independent Living (SCIL) Home Modifications for Residents with Disabilities
Springfield Choral Society Springfield Children’s Choir program
Springfield Immigrant Advocacy Network (SIAN) Feeding Neighbors, Building Community
Springfield Zoological Society Springfield Zoological Society
The Helping Paw Project General and Emergency Vet Care
Mary Bryant Home Association Accessible Outdoor Pavilion and Courtyard Upgrade Project
The New Salem Lincoln League New Salem Playground
The Parent Place General support
The Salvation Army Clear Lake Corps & Community Center Food Pantry
The Village Cares - Fiscal Agent Kumler UMC Outreach Ministries The Village Cares
Titus 2:12 NFP Titus 2:12 Recovery Housing Stabilization Program
United Way of Central Illinois ALICE (Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed) Emergency Fund
United Way of Central Illinois Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
University of Illinois Springfield/UIF House in Conversation: Contemporary Art at the Dana-Thomas House
University of Illinois Springfield/UIF Central Illinois Lifeline: Preserving Local Voices and Emergency Radio Links via NPR
University of Illinois Springfield/UIF UIS Nutrition and Athletic Recovery Project: Empowering Young Women in Sports
University of Illinois Springfield/UIF The Inclusive Stage Initiative: Amplifying Artistry and Accessibility
Untold Histories Exhibit of Ten African American Civil War Veterans Buried in Springfield, Illinois
Waverly PTO Waverly PTO Outdoor Learning Area
Western Illinois Dreamers Western Illinois Dreamers Legal Clinic
YMCA of Springfield Y Move Forward
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