IPCF Accepting Grant Applications in September
Women to Women, Environment & Nature and Youth Engaged in Philanthropy Grants
BLOOMINGTON – Illinois Prairie Community Foundation’s will accept applications for its fall grant cycle from September 1-30, 2025. Grant categories include Environment & Nature, Women to Women Giving Circle and Youth Engaged in Philanthropy.
The Women to Women Giving Circle Grants will award up to $60,000 in funding to programs serving women and their children facing insecurities in housing, food, transportation and/or childcare. The giving circle was started in 2009 to encourage philanthropic giving of local area women and educate them about challenges facing local women and children.
The Environment & Nature Grants will have $40,000 available to award to a variety of nonprofits to fund programs focused on the environment and nature, including pollution or toxics reduction, clean and renewable energy, biodiversity and habitat improvement, resource conservation, and environmental justice.
Youth Engaged in Philanthropy (YEP) Grants are for youth-focused programs, with priority given to organizations that include youth in the application process. The YEP cohort of 18 area high school students will award up to $10,000 in funding.
“The number and quality of grant applications increases each year,” said Michele Evans, Vice President (Programs) at IPCF. “Not all grants are able to be fully funded, but for those nonprofit organizations receiving funding, the grants can make a huge difference to them.”
These grants provide support to programs that serve residents of McLean, DeWitt, Livingston or Logan counties, but do not have to serve all four counties. Programs seeking grants must run from Feb. 1, 2026 through Jan. 31, 2027. Funding for the grants comes from endowments held at IPCF, designated gifts and individual donors.
Grant applicants will find a link to the online application form on the IPCF website. Successful applicants will receive funding starting in January 2026.
Applicants must represent a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization; a local unit of municipal, county, state or federal government; a school or college/university; or a tax-exempt religious organization or place of worship.
For additional information and questions, grant applicants may contact Michele Evans at 309-662-4477.
About Illinois Prairie Community Foundation
Illinois Prairie Community Foundation connects generosity to local impact by stewarding resources, cultivating partnerships and fostering equity across our region. IPCF empowers individuals, families and organizations to create meaningful change – today and for generations to come. The foundation manages funds including endowments and donor advised, designated, agency and scholarship funds.
Community Partners for Illinois Prairie Community Foundation are: Community Partners for Illinois Prairie Community Foundation are: The Drake Zimmerman Group, Heartland Bank & Trust, Meyer Capel, Onward Injury Lawyers, WGLT, First Mid Wealth Management, Knight Light Photography, Northern Trust, Renaissance Wealth Management BN, Bank of Pontiac, Fox & Hounds Salon & Spa, Donald Heinold CPA, Little Jewels, Tarvin Culligan and Westminster Village.