The Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln provides grant opportunities throughout the year to support various community-focused programs and projects in Cass, Christian, Logan, Macoupin, Menard, Montgomery, Morgan, and Sangamon counties in Illinois. These grants are designed to fund diverse initiatives, including programs for seniors, women and children, historic preservation, professional development for nonprofits, accessible recreation, and general charitable causes. Specific application windows and deadlines are detailed for each grant, and final reports from grant recipients are required within the stated timelines.

The purpose of these grants is to foster community growth and development by supporting organizations that address critical needs, promote inclusion, and enhance quality of life. Grants target various focus areas, such as supporting vulnerable populations, advancing education, preserving cultural heritage, and improving access to recreational opportunities for people with disabilities.

Eligible applicants include registered 501(c)(3) organizations, faith-based groups proposing non-religious projects that benefit the community, public and private schools seeking funding for projects beyond their budgets, and government or municipal entities. The Foundation encourages a broad range of applicants to review the specific criteria for each grant program carefully, as eligibility requirements and priorities may vary.

The application process is managed online, with forms becoming available four to six weeks before the respective deadlines. Active grant opportunities include the King’s Daughters Organization Fund, which supports senior programs in Sangamon County and has a February 3, 2025 deadline, and the Women’s Fund, focused on women and children’s programs across several counties, with a February 10, 2025 deadline. Upcoming opportunities include the Junior League of Springfield Capacity Building Fund in April 2025 and the Access to Recreation Endowment Fund in June 2025, among others.

Applicants must complete detailed applications and adhere to reporting requirements, with reports submitted via the Foundation's online portal. Reporting deadlines are typically linked to the completion of the funded projects. For example, recipients of the Women's Fund grant must submit a progress report by August 31, 2024, and a final report by December 31, 2024.

Evaluation criteria for grants often include alignment with the Foundation's goals, potential community impact, feasibility of the proposed project, and the organization’s capacity to implement and sustain the project. Each program may have additional criteria specific to its focus area.

Key upcoming deadlines include February 3, 2025, for the King’s Daughters Organization Fund and February 10, 2025, for the Women’s Fund. Interested applicants are encouraged to review the Foundation's website for detailed guidelines and to contact the Foundation directly at info@CFLL.org or (217) 789-4431 for assistance.