Apply For A Grant
Impact Central Illinois Grant Cycle 2026 is now open!
OVERVIEW
Impact Central Illinois is a collective women's giving organization which combines annual $1,100 donations from our members to give high-impact grants to local, worthy causes selected and voted on by our members. In June 2026, Impact Central Illinois will again award two Impact grants at $115,000 each, one Ignite grant at $75,000 and one Inspire grant for $25,000. All amounts are subject to change as membership finalizes.
Impact grants are reserved for nonprofits with total revenue greater than $1.5M. Ignite grants are reserved for nonprofits with total revenue between $300,000 and $1.5M. Inspire grants are reserved for nonprofits with total revenue less than $300,000.
Our goal is to fund proposals submitted by Highly Capable Organizations addressing Measurable Needs in our community with Innovative Solutions
Our Impact nonprofits can apply under two focus areas:
"Community Wellness & Stability" and "Education & Opportunity"
(Smaller nonprofits applying for an Inspire or Ignite Grant do not need to identify a focus area)
GRANT CYCLE
Impact Central Illinois' funding cycle runs from July 1 of the current year to June 30 of the following year. In each funding year, we collect member contributions through November and, in mid-December announce the amount of grant funds we will award at our annual meeting in June.
GRANT DECISION/VOTING
Impact Central Illinois' members serve on four different grant review committees (GRCs) that evaluate the grant proposals. Each committee reviews the proposals submitted and selects two (2) finalists. In June, we invite all members to cast a vote for the winning grant recipients from the selected two (2) finalists in each committee.
OUR PROCESS
Phase 1 - Financial Integrity:
All interested organizations must submit the required financial documents outlined in the Grant Guidelines by the deadline communicated on the Grant Timeline. Impact Central Illinois' Financial Review Committee (FRC) evaluates the fiscal history of all organizations prior to proposal submission. Organizations demonstrating financial responsibility and stability will be sent an invitation along with a link to submit proposals.
Phase 2 & 3 - Proposal Reviews:
All approved organizations from Phase 1 are invited to submit a grant proposal along with a completed program/project budget by the proposal deadline communicated on the Grant Timeline. Impact Central Illinois' Grant Review Committee (GRC) members meet to evaluate proposals and invite three (3) organizations forward to Phase 4 – Site Visit.
Phase 4 - Site Visit Review:
Impact Central Illinois GRC members conduct on-site visits to organizations that advance to this phase. Site visits center around a discussion between representatives from the organization and members of the GRCs and include a site tour if applicable. The Executive Director and/or the Chief Financial Officer typically attend the site visit. Following the completion of all Site Visits, Impact Central Illinois GRC members invite two (2) organizations to move to Phase 5 – Annual Meeting as finalists.
Phase 5 – Annual Meeting:
Executive Summaries about each finalist organization are provided in advance to each member of Impact Central Illinois. In addition, representatives from each finalist organization are invited to the annual meeting and given 6 minutes to present their organization's proposal. At this meeting, ICI members vote on a grant recipient – with every member casting one ballot – and the grant recipients are announced that evening.
Click Here To Begin Online Submission
All interested organizations MUST submit their organization's financial documents by January 2, 2026 to be eligible for the 2026 grant cycle. Impact Central Illinois' Financial Review Committee (FRC) will review all financial documentation in early 2026 to assess an organization's readiness to receive and implement an Impact Central Illinois grant.
All organizations with FRC approval will be invited to submit a grant proposal and budget in February 2026
The Following Financial Documentation Is Requested:
- 3 years (2024, 2023, 2022) of filed organizational 990s*
- Copy of 501(c)3 designation letter
- Proof of CO-1 registration (as required by IL attorney general) or Proof of Good Standing (from IL Secretary of State)
- Copy of most recent audit (if organization is audit-eligible)
* 990EZ and 990-N filings will not be accepted. Any organizations filing the 990-N, 990EZ, without local financial data on the 990, or exempt from filing an annual 990 with the IRS must submit three years of local organizational financial data by completing and signing the ICI Financial Template available to download below:
ICI Financial Template (for all organizations without 3 years of 990s)
