Grant Opportunities

Transformational Grants Letter of Intent available on January 12th, and the deadline is February 16th.

Grant Information:
Transformational Grants are designed to support a work in progress, or a bold idea, that will result in measurable solutions to identified community problems. Transformational Grants must be consistent with the mission, values and priorities of the applicant and The Foundation.

Grant Details:

• Up to three Transformational Grants will be awarded per year.
• Organizations must apply annually and are eligible to receive up to $75,000 per year.
• Organizations are eligible to win up to three years in a row for a total of up to $225,000.
• Collaboration among agencies is required and will be considered during the review process. A list of collaborative agencies should be included in the application.

Proposals must demonstrate the following:

• That the project will serve the residents of McHenry County.
• How the project addresses identified community need(s).
• How the project will measurably impact the issue(s) it addresses.
• That there is a credible plan or goal sustainability.
• How a communications strategy for the funded project will be implemented.

Need Statement:
Proposals must demonstrate the applicant’s commitment to their mission and to creating a better McHenry County for the future. It should describe a specific need(s) that will be addressed through the applicant’s project or program. Proposals should indicate how the needs were identified through credible research or sources and a project budget in a form acceptable to The Foundation must be included.

Grant Criteria:
Transformational Grants are intended for a wide variety of projects or programs. Support may be requested for advancing current projects or programs or starting a new project or program. Up to 25% of Transformational Grant funding may be used for general operating support. Other criteria that will factor into application evaluation include:

• Applying organizations and their collaborators must serve McHenry County residents.
• Partnerships between lead organizations and collaborators must be confirmed through letters of agreement or memorandums of understanding.
• Good financial health, leadership and governance of the lead organization.
• Indication of project’s sustainability beyond the grant period.
• Alignment with Transformational Grant goals, values, and priorities.

Grant Budget and Financial Reporting:
Grant funds must be used in one year. Multi-year funding is not supported. Grant funds may not be used for capital campaigns or improvements, endowments, fundraising events, partisan political activities, or to support an individual. Grantees will be required to submit reports indicating how funds were used and the status of the project or program.
 
Eligible Applicants:

• 501(c)3 public charities in good standing in the state of Illinois.
• Local government entities or instrumentalities.

The Foundation does NOT currently fund: 

• Organizations that require a fiscal sponsor to receive grants or tax-deductible donations.
• Nonprofits without proof of 501(c)3 determination provided by the IRS
• Applications for programs that promote or require religious doctrine for participation.

Application Process:
Grant seekers must complete an application and provide all supporting materials through Foundant, The Community Foundation for McHenry County’s online grants management system.

New applicants will need to create a Foundant profile for their organization and an individual user profile to access information and applications for available funding opportunities. Returning users should log in using their existing user name and password. 

Access The Foundation’s grants portal here. 

Late or incomplete letters of intent or applications will not be considered.

TRANSFORMATIONAL GRANTS APPLICATION TIMELINE

What is a Transformational Grant?

• Transformational Grants are designed to support a charitable organization (or a group of organizations) through the expansion of an idea or assist with a work in progress that will lead to organizational advancement.
• Transformational Grantees must focus on the values of their mission and produce measurable results that positively impact the community as a whole.

Transformational Grant Details

• Up to three Transformational Grants will be awarded per year.
• Organizations must apply annually, and are eligible to receive up to $75,000 per year.
• Organizations are eligible to win up to three years in a row for a possible total of $225,000.
• Collaboration among agencies is required and will be considered during the review process. Letters of support from collaborating organizations on their official letterhead will be required to apply.
• Transformational Grantees and The Foundation are partners and will work together on collaborative efforts. As such, there are additional requirements for the application, reporting, and publicity related to Transformational Grants. Details are listed below in the appropriate sections. 

Timeline for Transformational Grants

Transformational Grant Application Process

Detailed instructions for applying to the 2021 Transformational Grants are included in the RFP which can be accessed through The Foundation’s Foundant Grant Portal. Please note this is a new grant application portal. If you need to access previously submitted grant application information, log in to last year’s system, Grant Central.

1. Applicants must attend a Transformational Grant Informational Workshop to be eligible to apply. RSVP HERE
2. A Letter of Intent will be required and select eligible applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal.
3. Applicants invited to submit a full proposal must attend a second workshop outlining Logic Models pertaining to Transformational Grants and should incorporate that information into their grant application. RSVP HERE
4. Finalists will be invited to give a brief presentation to members of The Foundation’s Board of Directors.
5. Transformational Grant recipients will be notified and a site visit will be scheduled to present a check.

Apply for Grant

Note: All applications must be completed and submitted to The Community Foundation for McHenry County by 11:59 p.m. on the day of the deadline. Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered.

The Mission Grants application process.

MISSION GRANTS ELIGIBILITY

Any organization that applies for The Foundation’s Mission Grants funding opportunity must be located in McHenry County or able to demonstrate significant impact within McHenry County. 

The Foundation currently funds: 

• Tax-exempt 501(c)(3) corporations in good standing with the IRS and state of Illinois, including: 
  
  • Publicly supported charities. 
  • Not-for-profit educational institutions.
  • Faith-based organizations serving the community-at-large.
  • Local government entities or instrumentalities.
  • Local hospitals with community-focused programs and/or services.

The Foundation does NOT currently fund: 

• Individuals.
• Endowment campaigns.
• Capital campaigns or improvements.
• Fundraising events.
• Partisan political activities or campaigns.
• Nonprofits without proof of IRS 501(c)(3) status.
• Organizations requiring fiscal sponsorship to receive grants or tax-deductible donations.
• Organizations that require adherence to a particular religious belief or practice to receive support or services.

Governmental Compliance

All applying organizations must operate for charitable purposes and comply with federal and state governmental regulations.

• Must be recognized as tax-exempt 501(c)(3) corporation and in good standing with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and state of Illinois. 
• Organization must file timely tax information returns (federal Form 990).

Your organization’s status will be verified electronically through the websites listed below. If there is a discrepancy, The Foundation may reach out to confirm proof of compliance. 

• Internal Revenue Service Tax Exempt Organization Search
• GuideStar by Candid Nonprofit Organization Search

If you have questions about your organization’s eligibility, please contact us at [email protected].

MISSION GRANTS APPLICATION INFORMATION

Grant Purpose: 

Mission Grants are designed to support charitable organizations that are providing community resources to McHenry County residents with funding for general operating costs related to programs, projects, or administrative needs. Requests for funding must be consistent with the mission, values and priorities of the applicant and The Foundation. 

Grant Details:

• Award Amount
  
  • Organizations are eligible to receive up to $25,000 per year for the two-year grant cycle.
  • NEW IN 2022: Mission Grants will be awarded in even years with the grant amount being dispersed for two consecutive years. 
• Grants Awarded
  
  • The number of grants awarded is dependent upon the amount of funds that are earmarked for competitive grantmaking during the current fiscal year, October 1 – September 30. 
• Award Limits
  
  • An organization may only submit one application for Mission Grants funding per year. 
  • There is no limit to the number of consecutive grant cycles an organization may receive Mission Grants funding. 
• Fund Allocation: 
  
  • Requests for funding that support overall community need, do not duplicate existing county services, and demonstrate a capacity to be sustainable in the future are favorable. 

Requests for funding must demonstrate the following:

• Benefit to McHenry County residents.
• Community need that will be addressed.
• Desired goals and projected outcomes.
• Quality and sustainability of intended services. 
• Potential challenges of implementation.
• Itemized budget with expected revenue and expenses. 
• Financial health and independence of the applicant.
• Communications strategy for promoting funded initiatives.  

Application Process:

1. Create Grant Portal Profile
   
   • New applicants – create an individual user account and password, then setup your organization’s profile.
   • Returning applicants – sign in with your existing user name and password, then update user or organization profile information as needed. 
   • Access The Foundation’s grant portal here. 
2. Complete Eligibility Quiz
   
   • This will determine if you qualify to apply for this funding opportunity. 
   • To complete the quiz, log in to the grant portal and click "Apply" at the top of your Applicant Dashboard.
   • If eligible, you will have access to complete the Letter of Intent. 
3. Attend Grant Information Session (virtual)
   
   • New applicants – attendance is required. 
   • Returning applicants – attendance is strongly encouraged due to 2022 grant criteria and application changes. 
4. Submit Full Application
   
   • Complete the application and attach all supporting materials.
   • View the full list of application questions here. 
5. Full Applications Reviewed
   
   • Due diligence is completed on all applications by The Foundation's staff.
   • Applications are then reviewed by the Grants Review Committee using a standard rubric and scoring system, which will be discussed at the Mission Grants Information Session.
6. Applicants Notified About Grant Status
   
   • Applicants, both those that are approved and declined, will be notified of their grant status after all evaluations are complete.

   • The Foundation is committed to a fair and objective proposal review process.

7. Complete Grant Requirements
   
   • Grant Agreement Form: Prior to receiving funding, recipients must complete an agreement form signing off on all grantee requirements. 
   • Mid-Term and Final Grant Reports: Funding updates will be required six months and one year after the initial grant check is received. Updates will include how funds were used, status of outcomes, and impact stories from community members. Report forms and deadlines are accessible in the online grant portal. 

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC

Arts & Culture for Woodstock

This fund was established in 2021 to honor the contributions of Woodstock’s longest-serving Mayor, Dr. Brian Sager, upon his retirement, and the legacy of arts and entertainment made possible through his dedicated leadership and creative talent.

APPLY

Criteria:
The Arts & Culture for Woodstock Fund (ACFW) originated through private donations of a core group of Woodstock residents.  It is promoted and will continue to grow as a Donor Advised Fund under the investment management of Community Foundation for McHenry County.  Competitive applications are welcomed annually, as fund balances allow, from state and federally recognized tax-exempt, not-for-profit organizations and governmental entities only.  Funds of up to $2,500 per organization per year may be requested for:

• Performing or visual arts events including concerts, theatre, spoken word or video productions
• Artistic, cultural or educational programs or exhibitions
• All funded programs and events must showcase Woodstock talent in Woodstock venues open to public enjoyment or otherwise benefitting Woodstock artists

Award Structure and Process:

• Funds will be awarded on an annual grant cycle that will be posted and publicized locally.
• Funds of up to $2,500 may be requested through a formal application process
• Applications may be totally funded, partially funded, or deemed ineligible at the discretion of the ACFW Fund.
• Checks will be issued upon notification of awards.
• Final Reports are required at the end of the grant cycle.

Priorities:
When requesting funds, keep in mind priority is given to projects that:

• Showcase Woodstock’s diverse artistic talent;
• Offer affordable and varied cultural experiences for Woodstock residents and visitors;
• Foster support of Woodstock businesses, restaurants and attractions;
• Attract positive coverage in local, regional and national media;
• Yield benefits to the community for the resources invested;
• Credit Arts & Culture for Woodstock Fund in promotional materials;
• Encourage participation by older or diverse residents, as performers or audience members;
• Promote cooperation among event organizers to reduce costs.

Limitations:
Not every worthwhile project can be funded. In general, the following are not considered for funding:

• Individuals.
• Organizations that influence, promote, or support political candidates or political philosophies.
• Organizations whose primary purpose is to influence, promote, or attempt to initiate legislation.
• Funding for travel outside of Woodstock.
• For-profit ventures.
• Budget deficits incurred prior to application.
• Endowments.
• Fundraising. Funds must be used by the applicant to offer cultural experiences in Woodstock.
• Purchase of permanent equipment.
• Funds must be used by the applicant, and for the general purposes outlined above. Applicant may partner with a sponsoring organization but may not provide funding received to a secondary organization.

Review of Grant Requests:

Additional evaluation criteria considered by the ACFW Fund will include the following:

1. Organization 
   • Is the organization structured and managed to assure successful project completion?
   • Are the resources of the organization consistent to fund its programs?
   • How does the organization’s program/event benefit the Woodstock community?
   • Can the organization’s efforts be monitored conveniently?
   • Has the organization applied for funding before? Was a Final Report submitted in a timely and complete manner? Were funds used as requested?

2. Project 

1. • Why should the ACFW Fund support this project?
   • Does the project enhance Woodstock’s arts & culture appeal?
   • Will funds from ACFW bring about desired program objectives?
   • Does the project duplicate or counteract other interests?

3. Application 

1. • Was the Application typed, signed, legible and presented neatly?
   • Were all questions sufficiently answered?
   • Was the Application received electronically by the designated date/time?
   • Was the previous year’s Final Report (if required) submitted by the designated date/time?

Timeline:

October 31st            Application period opens

December 31st        Completed Applications due

January 31st            Awards announced and checks issued

November 30th        Final Report due

Contact:
Should you have any questions or need additional information, please contact 815-338-4483 or [email protected].

Please review the following criteria for The Foundation’s grant opportunities. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected] or 815-338-4483.

Eligible Organizations

Transformational Grant opportunities are available to charitable organizations that fit the following criteria:

• 501(c)(3) public charities in good standing in the state of Illinois.
• Units of local government.
• Not-for-profit educational institutions.
• Faith-based and religious organizations are eligible to apply, provided that the funded program/project does not promote or require religious doctrine.
• Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status must use a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor and must identify their fiscal sponsor prior to submission of their application.
• Organizations are eligible to receive Transformational Grant funding up to three consecutive years through our competitive grant process. After three consecutive years of funding, organizations will not be eligible to apply to receive grant funding through this opportunity for one year. If you have questions about your organization’s eligibility, please contact us at [email protected].

Mission Grant opportunities are available to charitable organizations that fit the following criteria:

• 501(c)(3) public charities in good standing in the state of Illinois.
• Units of local government.
• Not-for-profit educational institutions.
• Faith-based and religious organizations that are registered 501(c)(3) public charities are eligible to apply, provided that the funds are used only for a program/project that does not promote or require religious doctrine.
• Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status must use a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor and must identify their fiscal sponsor prior to submission of their application.

Any organization that applies to any of The Community Foundation for McHenry County’s grant opportunities should be located in McHenry County or able to demonstrate significant impact within McHenry County.

Additional Guidelines

• Grants are made for one year only and funded projects must be completed one year from receipt of the check. Reporting is required for all funded projects.
• The Foundation encourages collaboration in both execution and funding of projects.
• The Foundation supports projects which have been planned in light of overall community needs and which do not duplicate existing services.
• Applications that demonstrate a capacity to be sustainable in the future are favorable.

Governmental Compliance

All organizations must be compliant with appropriate government agencies. The Foundation’s staff will verify through the websites listed below. If there is a discrepancy, The Foundation may reach out to organizations to provide proof of compliance.

• Exempt organizations must be recognized as tax-exempt and in good standing with the IRS, with timely filed information returns (federal form 990).
• All organizations must be corporations in good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State.

Your status can be verified electronically, as follows:

• Internal Revenue Service
• Illinois Secretary of State

Number of Submissions

• An organization may only submit one application each for The Foundation’s Transformational Grants and Mission Grants funding opportunities per year.
• Update as of January 28, 2021. Eligible charitable organizations may now receive more than one competitive grant over the course of The Foundation’s fiscal year, October 1 – September 30.
• Update as of January 28, 2021. Organizations that apply and are awarded a Transformational Grant may also submit an application for a Mission Grant within the same fiscal year.

Not to Be Considered

The Community Foundation for McHenry County does not fund:

• Individuals.
• Endowment campaigns.
• Political campaigns or endeavors.
• Programs that require adherence to a particular religious belief or practice to receive services (faith-based organizations serving the community-at-large will be considered).

Applications are reviewed using a standard rubric and scoring system for each type of grant opportunity. The grant scoring systems for Transformational Grants and Mission Grants will be discussed at the associated grant workshops.

Things to Consider:

• Funding in previous years does not imply continued support. Each application is reviewed in the context of current policies and applications.
• Previous reporting will be taken into consideration when determining the eligibility of an organization to apply for a grant and may impact a grant application’s overall score.
• Important factors that will be reviewed include proposed outcomes (impact) and evaluation strategy, a budget specific to McHenry County, collaboration among charitable organizations, and more.

Accurate and complete reporting is required for all grant opportunities. Report forms and reminders will be sent out prior to reporting deadlines for all Community Grants.

Two reports are required for all Community Grants:

1. A mid-term report will be due six months from the receipt of funding.
2. A final report is due one year from the receipt of funding.

In addition to these reports, Transformational Grant recipients will be required to schedule two to three site visits throughout the year for (but not limited to) staff of The Foundation.

As part of the reporting process, all grantees must provide stories of impact and photos to be used by The Foundation to share your missions and activities with the community.

• Please note: All people included in photos must sign a Media Release Form. For individuals under the age of 18, a parent or legal guardian must sign a Media Release Form.
• The Foundation will not accept photos without a signed release form. Reports including photos submitted without signed release forms will not be accepted.
• Click here to download The Foundation’s Media Release Form.

Note: Grants funded through Donor Advised Funds may have the same reporting requirements as Competitive Grants. Please plan to send a thank you note to The Community Foundation for McHenry County, which will be forwarded to the Fund Advisor(s). Additionally, any updates provided to The Foundation will be shared with the Fund Advisor(s).