SEPTEMBER Non-Profit GRANTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

The City of Chicago, nonprofit organizations, and private organizations are accepting grant applications from businesses and nonprofits. If you are interested in growing your business check out some of the opportunities below and open grant funding.

The City of Chicago Nonprofit Capacity Building Program

The Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) has launched The City of Chicago Nonprofit Capacity Building Program (NCBP). This program was designed to provide access to curated coaching and education programs for Chicago area nonprofits in an effort to support nonprofit organizations gain access to capital, funding, and other resources to counteract the effects of the pandemic. 

  • Workshops: Held weekly, workshops provide an opportunity to connect with your peers and subject matter experts to discuss specific organization challenges.

    • Upcoming events: 

      • Tips Writing City/Government Contracts

        • Friday, September 1st @ 12:00 PM (hosted by GAGDC)

        • Friday, September 8th @ 12:00 PM (hosted by GAGDC)

        • Friday, September 15th @ 12:00 PM (hosted by GAGDC)

        • Friday, September 22nd @ 12:00 PM (hosted by GAGDC)

        • Friday, September 29th @ 12:00 PM (hosted by GAGDC)

      • Contract Execution 

        • Wednesday, September 6th @ 11:00 AM (hosted by WBDC) 

        • Wednesday, September 20th @ 11:00 AM  (hosted by WBDC) 

      • Government, Corporate, Foundation and Major Gift Development 

        • Wednesday, September 6th @ 12:00 PM (hosted by GAGDC)

        • Wednesday, September 13th @ 12:00 PM (hosted by GAGDC)

        • Wednesday, September 20th @ 12:00 PM (hosted by GAGDC)

        • Wednesday, September 27th @ 12:00 PM (hosted by GAGDC)

      • Vouchering 

        • Wednesday, September 13th @ 11:00 AM (hosted by WBDC)  

        • Wednesday, September 27th @ 11:00 AM (hosted by WBDC)  

  • One-on-one counseling: A one-on-one meeting with a subject expert who can help you with specific grant application issues. 

For support registering for these opportunities using the Nonprofit Capacity Building Intake Form, please contact Nonprofit Capacity Building Coordinator, Julia Riley, at julia.riley@lrvcc.org

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES:

BoardLead

BoardLead is the signature program of Cause Strategy Partners. Their network is designed to help your organization meet talented board members who are passionate about helping you drive your mission forward while also gaining access to governance resources – all at no cost to nonprofits. Reduce friction in your board development process by creating a compelling board member recruitment profile on our BoardLead platform. Represent your nonprofit to corporations and potential board candidates in ways that attract the diversity and depth of talent you seek. Experience a faster and easier way to attract and elect exceptional new board members. They vet potential board members for cause alignment and readiness to serve, and train them for effective board service. They also vet the companies candidates work for to ensure values and mission alignment.

For more information and to apply for the BoardLead network: http://causestrategypartners.com/boardlead 

Capital One Café – Southport 

Capital One Café has meeting rooms available for nonprofits to book, free of charge. You can book this free meeting space dedicated for nonprofit organizations and student groups directly through their LiquidSpace portal. The room itself fits up to eight people. 

To reserve this space, please follow this link: http://liquidspace.com/us/il/chicago/capital-one-chicago/meeting-room-2?StartTime=&ReservationStart=&WorkspaceCapacity=&Amenities=&SpaceTypes=0&ReservationMethod=0&SortOrder=0&ReservationLengthMinutes=60&src=srp#wp-hourly 

Forefront 

Forefront is Illinois’ statewide association representing both grantmakers and nonprofits, as well as their advisors and allies. Their mission is to build a vibrant social impact sector for all the people of Illinois. They provide education, advocacy, thought leadership, and facilitate collective action around issues that are important to their Members and to the sector. For a full calendar of Forefront events: http://myforefront.org/events/ 

Upcoming September free events: 

  • The Evolution of Family Foundations – Tuesday, September 12th @ 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

    • Join the September convening of the Philanthropy Club of Illinois. What do you know about family foundations? What do you not know?

For grant-seekers, family foundations are often inaccessible and unknown. Our panelists each steward a family’s generational resources and seek to manifest their philanthropic aims through their service and partnership. They will share with us their own perspectives on the evolution of the sector – both in response to societal and global shifts and crises, the outcomes their families seek to bring about, and their own evolution as leaders. Come with your questions!

For details and registration: http://myforefront.org/event/the-evolution-of-family-foundations/ 

  • Public Policy Thursdays: The IL State Treasurer & the Nonprofit Sector: Public-Private Partnership Series, Part 1 (Webinar)  – Thursday, September 21st @ 10:00 - 11:00 AM 

    • Join Forefront for this first in a series of events planned at which we will meet officials representing constitutional offices that have a role in governing and supporting the nonprofit sector in Illinois.

The Illinois State Treasurer’s Office will showcase key programs like the Charitable Trust Grant Program, Bright Start, Secure Choice, Unclaimed Property, and the Charitable Trust Advisory Board, and explain how these programs can support the economic security of nonprofit businesses and clients around the state in practical ways. Learn how to tap these resources, best practices for applying for Charitable Trust grants, and how the Treasurer’s Office interfaces with other constitutional offices like the Attorney General and Secretary of State in ways that impact our sector.

For details and registration: http://myforefront.org/event/the-illinois-state-treasurer-the-charitable-trust-how-do-they-support-the-nonprofit-sector-webinar/ 

COHORT OPPORTUNITIES: 

AFP Fundamentals of Fundraising Course 

September 21-22, 2023 @ 8:30 am - 5:00 pm. IMPACT House, Forefront Conference Room at 200 W. Madison St., Chicago.

The AFP Fundamentals of Fundraising Course provides new fundraisers—those with up to four years of professional experience—with an intensive introduction into the building blocks of effective practice. To design this 16-hour course, experienced fundraising professionals evolved AFP’s introductory programs to address the real-world needs and challenges non-profit organizations face every day.

This paid intensive program will provide an overview of skills, techniques, and program components for individuals with 0-4 years of fundraising experience or a great “back to the basics” for veteran fundraisers.

http://www.afpchicago.org/index.php?option=com_jevents&task=icalrepeat.detail&evid=529&Itemid=114&year=2023&month=09&day=21&title=afp-fundamentals-of-fundraising-course&uid=5d7d0e856032c42d149687fc09b5603a 

Allstate Foundation Nonprofit Leadership Center, Nonprofit Management Essentials 

This program was developed for emerging nonprofit leaders and those new to the sector. The content is designed to broaden awareness across a breadth of management topics in a flexible, online offering. Learn from faculty and practitioners and apply these nonprofit management essentials to your position. Nonprofit Management Essentials is fully funded by The Allstate Foundation and powered by content from the Kellogg School Center for Nonprofit Management. 

http://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/executive-education/nonprofit-programs/online-nonprofit-management-essentials.aspx

GRANT FUNDS:

Awesome Foundation 

Application Deadline: Rolling

The Awesome Foundation is an ever-growing worldwide community devoted to forwarding the interest of awesome in the universe. Created in the long hot summer days of 2009 in Boston, the Foundation distributes $1,000 grants, no strings attached, to projects and their creators. At each fully autonomous chapter, the money is pooled together from the coffers of ten or so self-organizing “micro-trustees” and given up front in cash, check, or gold doubloons. 

http://www.awesomefoundation.org/en

Charity Entrepreneurship Incubation Program 

Application Deadline: September 30, 2023

We give you two-month, cost-covered, intensive training designed by founders for founders. Our talented team of researchers and entrepreneurs will provide you with the best evidence-based intervention and help you find a perfect co-founder. Learn charity fundamentals, like theories of change, measurement and evaluation, cost-effectiveness analysis, fundraising, program design, and strategic planning, in realistic partner projects.

http://www.charityentrepreneurship.com/incubation-program

Clean Energy to Communities Program 

Application Deadline: Rolling 

C2C connects local governments, tribes, electric utilities, and community-based organizations with national laboratory experts and customized, cutting-edge analysis to achieve clean energy systems that are reflective of local and regional priorities.

http://www.nrel.gov/state-local-tribal/clean-energy-to-communities.html 

Cook County Starting Block Grants 

Application Deadline: September 8, 2023

In 2023, Cook County will award up to $5 million in capacity building grants to community-based organizations serving Cook County residents. Starting Block Grants will provide up to $100,000 over two years to small organizations looking to build internal capacity and develop their infrastructure to promote organizational health, growth and sustainability.

The grant opportunity is open to community-based organizations in diverse sectors, including Arts and Culture, Community and Economic Development, Education, Health and Human Services, and Violence Prevention. To be eligible, organizations must have non-profit status and an annual operating budget under $1 million. This initiative goes beyond traditional grants for organizations to deliver services and allows them to focus on strengthening how they run.

For more information and to view a past information session recording, please visit Cook County's website. 

Flexible Funding Program 

Full Application: Dependent on flexible funding type

Equitable investment in neighborhoods cannot happen without the leadership of community-based organizations. That means these organizations need access to funding that is focused solely on the state of the organization rather than its programs and initiatives. The Flexible Funding Program provides three distinct types of “flexible” dollars to organizations in Black and Latinx neighborhoods.

To receive Flexible Funding support, the organization must be Black or Latinx-led, and its work must align with the Trust’s Catalyzing Neighborhood Investment strategy. 

http://www.cct.org/grants/opportunities/flexible-funding-program/ 

Illinois Art Council Agency - Artstour & Live Music 

Application Deadline: Rolling 

Artstour & Live Music provides support to eligible Illinois not-for-profit organizations seeking to present Illinois performing artists, companies, or groups for performances, collaborations, or short residencies held in conjunction with performances. This program can not be used to support events that are part of a regular series by organizations already receiving Program Grants in the discipline of Presenters. 

http://arts.illinois.gov/grants-programs/ArtstourLiveMusic#:~:text=Grant%20requests%20for%20fiscal%20year,as%20identified%20in%20the%20application

Small Business Improvement Fund 

Application Deadline: Monday, October 2, 2023 @ 5:00 PM 

The Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) provides grant funding for permanent building improvements and repairs across the city. Offered by the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) to tenants and owners of industrial and commercial properties, SBIF grants are funded by Tax Increment Financing (TIF) revenues in designated TIF districts citywide. 

Program participants can receive grants to cover between 30 percent and 90 percent of the cost of remodeling work, with a maximum grant of $150,000 for commercial properties and $250,000 for industrial properties. The grant, which is administered by SomerCor on the City’s behalf, does not have to be repaid.

Learn more about eligibility requirements or register for the upcoming information webinar on Wednesday, September 6th here

http://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/small-business-improvement-fund/home.html 

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