How To Apply for a Grant

Each year, the Cook County Community Fund makes grants up to $1,000 for non-profits in Cook County. The deadline to apply is May 1.

Funds are generally granted for initiatives that meet the changing needs of the Cook County region in the following five areas:

Arts
Civic Projects
Education
Environment
Human Services

Grant priorities within these areas include:

Strengthen community ties between individuals and collaboration between organizations within our service area (Cook County)
Address underlying causes of community problems
Undertake studies on matters that impact civic issues or public policy
Build an organization's program and/or management capacity
Respond to community needs that require moderate grant money but produce significant results
Are new in nature and require start-up funds.

Items that are generally not funded include:

Capital and equipment requests, and
Ongoing program support

Items that will not be considered by the Cook County Community Fund Board include:

Endowments
Medical research
Fund-raising activities
Individuals
Religious organizations for direct religious activities
Debt retirement
Political organizations or campaigns
Organizations that have, as a substantial part of their purpose, influencing legislation
Activities that are normally the responsibility of government
Funding for an organization’s own re-granting activities

Interested in learning more about the application process? Please follow this link: