Community Grants
Annually, the Community Foundation invites qualified organizations in its 12-county service area to apply for a Community Grant. The 2026 Community Grant program will open March 1, 2026, and will close May 1, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
Eligible Applicants
Grants are awarded to:
- Registered 501(c)(3) charitable organizations
- Units of government or municipalities for public/charitable purposes
- Faith-based organizations for programs benefiting the public good (must benefit the community, regardless of religion).
Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status must have a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor and provide documentation in the application.
More information on fiscal sponsorship
Applicant organizations and grants awarded must serve at least one of the following 12 counties: Adams, Brown, Hancock, or Pike in Illinois; Clark, Knox, Lewis, Marion, Monroe, Pike, Ralls, or Shelby in Missouri.
Grant Range and
Important Dates
2026 grants range from $1,000-$7,500 for both program/project support and general support grant requests. Partial funding may be awarded.
Community Grant Application Opens
March 1, 2026
Community Grant Applicant Info Sessions (Optional, Encouraged for New Applicants)
March 4, 2026, 3 PM - Illinois (Community Foundation, 621 Vermont Street, Quincy, IL 62301)
March 5, 2026 12 PM - Virtual
March 6, 2026 3 PM - Missouri (Northeast Power; 3705 N Business 61, Palmyra, MO 63401)
RSVP for any Grant Applicant Info Sessions Here
Community Grant Applicant Financial Workshop (Optional, Encouraged for New Applicants)
March 19, 2026 10 AM - 12 PM - Illinois
More information will be available soon
One-on-One Review Session
Program team is available to review completed applications on a virtual call with applicant(s)
April 1, 2026 - April 17, 2026
Book a session with Kent Embree, Program Officer
Community Grant Application Closes
May 1, 2026 (11:59 PM)
Grants Distributed
August 2026
Please see our Grant Policy for further details.
Financial Workshop Materials & Handouts
2025 Q&A Workshop Presentation Slides
2025 Workshop Presentation Slides with Remarks
Requests: Book of Opportunities
More than one program or grant request?
- Eligible organizations may submit up to two additional request summaries to the Book of Opportunities catalog.
- The Book of Opportunities is distributed to Donor Advisors and is available publicly on our website.
- Requests must be submitted through the portal by May 1.
