The Community Grants Program 2025, administered by the Community Foundation, is a competitive funding opportunity available to eligible nonprofit and public-serving entities across a 12-county region in West Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri. The program is designed to strengthen nonprofit services and enhance quality of life through support for initiatives in arts and culture, education, community betterment, health, human services, and youth development. The grants may be used for either specific project support or general operating support.

Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, government entities applying for charitable or public purposes, and faith-based organizations applying for non-sectarian and publicly beneficial programs. All applicants must serve at least one of the following counties: Adams, Brown, Hancock, or Pike (Illinois); Clark, Knox, Lewis, Marion, Monroe, Pike, Ralls, or Shelby (Missouri). Organizations with fiscal sponsorship may submit applications on behalf of both themselves and their sponsored programs. New in 2025, each organization may submit only one application to the Community Grant program per cycle, though they may also submit additional summaries for inclusion in the publicly shared Book of Opportunities.

Grant awards will range from $1,000 to $7,500, with partial funding possible based on availability and evaluation. Proposals will be assessed on defined community needs or opportunities, potential for collaboration, scope and impact of services—especially to underserved populations—and the relationship between the grant size and total project budget.

Applications are submitted through the Community Foundation’s grants portal. The process includes a required review meeting with Foundation staff, scheduled online. Reviews take place March 31 to April 17, with the latest date to schedule an appointment being April 11. The application deadline is May 1, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Applicants will be notified of award decisions in early August, and grants will be disbursed by mid-August.

Application components include a summary of the organization and project, community needs statement, execution plan, goals and evaluation methods, and a detailed budget. Required attachments include a project budget, the organization’s current operating budget, and the most recent annual financial statement.