Community Connection
July 2022
CFCI Fall Grants are Now Accepting Applications!
CFCI fall grant applications are now open! This includes the Community Needs, Women’s Fund, and Local Jobs Fund. Grants will be made to organizations with programs serving individuals within a 50 mile radius surrounding the city of Peoria, IL excluding Knox and McLean County.

Community Needs Grants are open to organizations offering programs that align with the Grantmaking Principles and Elements CFCI supports, including community development, capacity building, or education. Community Needs Grants are made possible by field of interest and unrestricted funds.  Organizations can apply for up to $15,000.

***PLEASE NOTE: The Community Needs grant program no longer funds food related projects. Food related projects are funded through the Ending Hunger Together Grants program.***
 
The Women's Fund Success Grants are open to organizations whose programs help empower women and girls.  Organizations can apply for up to $5,000.
 
The Local Jobs Fund grant is open to support projects that have a direct linkage to breaking the cycle of poverty by equipping people with the skills to earn significantly more than minimum wage.  Organizations can apply for up to $2,500.

Applications and grant guidelines can be found here.

All applications are due Wednesday, September 7th, 2022 at 5:00pm. 
Join Us for the Emerging Philanthropists
Fund Grant Panel
Join us for the Emerging Philanthropists Fund Grant Panel where our top three finalists for the 2022 grant will give a brief presentation on their grant proposal before the voting process begins!
 
This year’s three finalists are: Foster Village Peoria, Illinois Business Financial Services, and Girl Scouts of Central Illinois.

Grant presentations will begin at 5:30pm.

Any Emerging Philanthropists Fund member who brings a guest to the panel will be entered to win a gift card to The Noshery Peoria!
 
Appetizers will be provided by Peoria's Neighborhood Chef and there will be a cash bar. There is no cost to attend.
National Philanthropy Day Award Nominations
Due July 29
Each year, the Central Illinois Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) honors donors, volunteers and fundraising executives whose gifts of time, expertise and resources contribute significantly to the success of the non-profit agencies and institutions they serve. 

The Central Illinois AFP Chapter invites you to nominate a deserving individual, group, corporation, organization or foundation for one of the following awards:

  • Outstanding Philanthropist
  • Dennis A. Steele Outstanding Philanthropic Organization
  • Outstanding Philanthropic Corporation
  • Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy Ages 5-17
  • Outstanding Philanthropic Foundation
  • Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy Ages 18-23
  • Lewis J. Burger Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser
  • Ian T. Sturrock Outstanding Fundraising Executive
  • Giving Heart
  • Special Recognition

Nominators submitting preliminary nominations should complete the online form and submit a brief one-page summary that follows the nomination criteria and indicates what is compelling about the philanthropy of the nominee and why they should be considered as an award candidate in that particular category. 

Nominations are due by July 29, 2022.

For more information, click here or contact Beverly Bourazak at [email protected] or 309-677-3079.
New Fund Spotlight: FY 21/22 in Review!
We are very excited about the newest section of our monthly e-newsletter: New Fund Spotlight! Since we have just wrapped up fiscal year 2021/2022, we thought we would highlight ALL of the new funds in the last fiscal year - 12 new funds with a total of $4.8 million in assets! Wow!

New CFCI Funds Opened in FY 2021/2022
Marilyn K. Schrodt Scholarship Fund
Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois, Inc. Fund
Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois, Inc. Employee Scholarship Fund
Rick Snarr Enduring Spirit Scholarship
MTHS Educational Fund
Roanoke, IL Charitable Fund
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois Fund
GP 2030 Fund
Peoria Garden Club
Richwoods Class of 1971 Giving Back Scholarship
Byron and Sylvia DeHaan Charitable Fund
Hey Batter, Batter! CFCI Heads to the Ball Park!
CFCI staff had a great time visiting a Peoria Chiefs game last week! CFCI President & CEO, Mark Roberts, was on the field for a pre-game interview and the 2022 Peoria Chiefs Scholarship winners, Molly Gordon and Katy Wales, threw out first pitches.
We're proud of our accreditation with National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations®. This accreditation, signified by this Seal, indicates that the Community Foundation of Central Illinois meets the highest standards for philanthropic excellence. The 26 national standards establish legal, ethical, effective practices for community foundations everywhere and indicates CFCI’s commitment to excellence and accountability. Learn more about the accreditation process at cfstandards.org.
3625 North Sheridan Road
Peoria, IL 61604
309-674-8730