Illinois Prairie Community Foundation has some general criteria for all of our competitive grant rounds:

• Applicants must represent a 501 (c)(3) organization, an organization with a fiscal sponsor that is a 501 (c)(3) organization, a unit of municipal, county, state, or federal government (including public schools), a nonprofit institute of higher learning, or a tax-exempt religious organization or place of worship (programs may not proselytize for a particular religion or cause).
• Programs must be available to residents of McLean, DeWitt, Livingston, or Logan counties; however, programs do not have to serve all four counties.
• Programs must be operated and organized in such a manner that no applicable anti-discrimination laws are violated.
• Organizations that have received past grants from Illinois Prairie Community Foundation must be current on all final reports.
• The Executive Director, CEO or Board President of an organization must approve the application.

Criteria Given Greatest Consideration

• New programs and those offering creative and innovative solutions to address the identified need by building on proven practical methods; programs that have received repeated past funding will receive less consideration
• Has potential to be on-going and self-sufficient beyond the time of funding
• Utilizes clear methods of measuring and reporting results with emphasis on objective, quantifiable measurements
• Is cost effective and includes a complete and clear budget

What Is Not Funded

• Capital improvements or expenditures (for example: vehicles, new windows for facility, copy machine for office or a walk-in freezer for a food bank)  
• Non program-related expenses (grant committees prefer not to fund personnel expenses, however stipends to engage a qualified professional  from another entity to conduct a program is allowed)
• Sponsorship of events
• Annual fundraising events and expenses
• Conference or continuing education expenses
• Scholarships (funding to further an individual's education for college or university is not allowed, however a sliding scale or needs-based financial assistance to participate in a program is allowed)
• Endowment campaigns