Community Foundation of Northern Illinois
The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL) is a public charity based in Rockford, Illinois. Founded in 1953, it manages charitable funds and makes grants and scholarships for the current and future needs of people in Northern Illinois.
Key facts about Community Foundation of Northern Illinois
In short: Community Foundation of Northern Illinois gave $8.6M across 248 grants in 2024 (avg $35K), mostly in Illinois. 41% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 36-4402089
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $8,613,043
- Grants made (2024)
- 248
- Average grant
- $34,730
- Median grant
- $13,031
- New grantees (estimate)
- 41% first-time grantees (70 of 170, 2024)
- Total assets
- $156,335,923
- Primary geography
- Illinois (99% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$156.3M
+12.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$8.6M
+136.8% YoY
Grant Count
248
+105.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$35K
+15.5% YoY
Is Community Foundation of Northern Illinois open to new grantees?
41%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 70 of 170 grantees (41%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $72K; repeat grants $36K. How we count
Medians: $16K first-time, $20K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
CFNIL’s mission is to inspire endowment and promote philanthropy for the current and future needs of the people of Northern Illinois. Its website lists eight Community Grants focus areas: Arts & Humanities; Basic Needs & Compassionate Support; Career Pathways; Complementary Education; Dignity & Respect; Health; Sustainable Communities; and Youth & Families. The foundation also describes programs for resident-led neighborhood projects and organizations facing unexpected opportunities or emergencies.
Grantees in 2024 included organizations working in areas such as developmental disability services, natural-area stewardship, higher education, and family support. Illinois Growth Enterprises describes its mission as educating and promoting the welfare of people with developmental disabilities in Northern Illinois. Friends of Nachusa Grasslands describes work that includes stewardship, land protection, education, and scientific activity. Rockford University describes its mission as educating students through liberal arts and professional experiences, while Brightpoint (formerly Children’s Home & Aid) says it supports families so children can thrive.
Grantmaking
CFNIL reported 248 grants totaling $8,613,043 in filing year 2024. Grant amounts ranged from $5,100 to $998,872, with a median of $13,030. Among the largest reported awards were $998,872 through Community Grants Annual Grant Pass-Thru, $411,485 to Ronald F Peterson Area Economic Development, $325,132 to The MILL Foundation, and $289,444 to CFNIL Education - Career Pathways Focus Committee. The filing lists the stated purpose for these awards as purposes specified in a grant application, fund agreement, or gift instrument.
Other 2024 recipients included Illinois Growth Enterprises ($195,887), The Kjellstrom Family Foundation ($132,205), Friends of Nachusa Grasslands ($99,667), Rockford University ($77,967 and a separate $76,341 award), United Way of Rock River Valley ($77,920), Children’s Home & Aid Society of Ill ($75,000), and Rock Valley College Foundation ($71,450).
CFNIL’s website lists Community Opportunities for unexpected opportunities and emergency needs, with a rolling application cycle. It also lists Neighborhood Grants for resident-led neighborhood projects. The 2026 Community Grants cycle is closed: applications were due August 20, 2026, and award notifications were scheduled for the end of November. The guidelines describe an online application covering the proposal plan, community need, budget, evaluation plan, organizational background, and applicant agreement. They say funds for awarded grants will be available by the end of November and should not be needed before December 1, 2026.
Open Grants
18 open opportunities from Community Foundation of Northern Illinois
Alpha Delta Kappa Xi Education Scholarship Grant
Community Foundation of Northern Illinois
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Amanda Reed Memorial Scholarship Grant
Community Foundation of Northern Illinois
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Amber Huber Memorial Scholarship Grant
Community Foundation of Northern Illinois
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Ready to take the next step with Community Foundation of Northern Illinois?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
CFNIL’s website identifies Boone, Ogle, Stephenson, and Winnebago Counties as its service area for Community Grants. In filing year 2024, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 248 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $2.9M (2019) to $8.6M (2024). In 2024 it made 248 grants totaling $8.6M.
*2020: Covers 18 months (fiscal year-end changed).
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Community Grants Annual Grant Pass-Thru ($1.4M across 12 grants). Together the top 10 received $4.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
784 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 657 grants of 784 (84%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Community Grants Annual Grant Pass-Thru Rockford, IL | For purposes as specified in a grant application, fund agreement or gift instrument. | $998,872 |
| Ronald F Peterson Area Economic Development Rockford, IL | For purposes as specified in a grant application, fund agreement or gift instrument. | $411,485 |
| The MILL Foundation Loves Park, IL | For purposes as specified in a grant application, fund agreement or gift instrument. | $325,132 |
| CFNIL Education - Career Pathways Focus Committee Rockford, IL | For purposes as specified in a grant application, fund agreement or gift instrument. | $289,444 |
| Robert A Schlichting Family Rockford, IL | For purposes as specified in a grant application, fund agreement or gift instrument. | $262,717 |
| CFNIL Youth & Families Focus Committee Rockford, IL | For purposes as specified in a grant application, fund agreement or gift instrument. | $258,976 |
| Ronald F Peterson Area Economic Development Rockford, IL | For purposes as specified in a grant application, fund agreement or gift instrument. | $205,743 |
| Illinois Growth Enterprises Loves Park, IL | For purposes as specified in a grant application, fund agreement or gift instrument. | $195,887 |
| Community Grants Annual Grant Pass-Thru Rockford, IL | For purposes as specified in a grant application, fund agreement or gift instrument. | $191,974 |
| CFNIL Sustainable Communities Focus Committee Rockford, IL | For purposes as specified in a grant application, fund agreement or gift instrument. | $182,807 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $156,335,923 | $14,828,770 | $5,545,853 | $8,613,043 |
| 2023 | $138,751,045 | $16,953,663 | $9,523,993 | $3,637,438 |
| 2022 | $121,014,685 | $10,431,365 | $9,843,347 | $3,832,884 |
*2020: Covers 18 months (fiscal year-end changed).
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $156,335,923 | $138,751,045 | $121,014,685 |
| Revenue | $14,828,770 | $16,953,663 | $10,431,365 |
| Expenses | $5,545,853 | $9,523,993 | $9,843,347 |
| Net Investment Income | $5,067,876 | $5,106,935 | $3,364,662 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS January 8, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS December 13, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 22, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 9, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 4, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Stephen Schmeling as Chair, Karen Schiller as Vice Chair, Kathy Kwiat-Hess as Immediate Past Chair, Dayton Smith III as Treasurer, and Edward Clift as Assistant Treasurer. It also lists Joseph Cruz, Jim Derry, Derek Dreier, Mike Gann, and Sherry Gaumond as board members.
Community Foundation of Northern Illinois is led by Dan Ross, President & Secretary since 2021 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 18 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Dan Ross
President & Secretary
President → President & Secretary, 2021
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$73K (2020) → $180K (2024)
Stephen Schmeling
Chair
Board Member → Vice Chairperson, 2022
Vice Chairperson → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Becky Cook Kendall
Board Member
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dayton Smith III
Treasurer
Assistant Treasurer → Treasurer, 2020
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Derek Dreier
Board Member
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Edward Clift
Assistant Treasurer
Board Member → Assistant Treasurer, 2020
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Kehoe
Board Member
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kathy Kwiat-Hess
Imm. Past Chair
Vice Chair → Chairperson, 2022
Chairperson → Imm. Past Chair, 2024
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
M Beth Thacker
Board Member
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Beth Howard
Board Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Karen Schiller
Vice Chair
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sherry Gaumond
Board Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bryan Heidemann
Board Member
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dinesh Pandya
Board Member
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mike Gann
Board Member
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Antionette Hobson
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jim Derry
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joseph Cruz
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (20)
- Former: Cheryl Balsam (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: William Reilly II (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Judith Barnard (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Russell Dennis (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Erin Calkins (2019–2021) — Chairperson
- Former: Joyce D. Higgins (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: E. Roger Reithmeier (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Joanna Mladic (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Brenten Witherby (2019) — Treasurer
- Former: Chris Janke (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Fayrene Muhammad (2019) — Board Member · Filing note: Resigned
- Former: James Hansberry (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Jeffrey Layng (2019) — Board Member · Filing note: Resigned
- Former: Joanna Bares (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Jon Bates (2019) — President
- Former: Larry Bridgeland (2019) — Board Member · Filing note: Resigned
- Former: Mike White (2019) — Board Member · Filing note: Resigned
- Former: Roger Reithmeier (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Russ Dennis (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Thomas Walsh (2019) — Chair
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $180K, to Dan Ross (President/Secretary).
Contact
Mailing address: 946 North Second Street, Rockford, IL 61107
Phone: (815) 962-2110
Website: https://cfnil.org
Frequently asked questions about Community Foundation of Northern Illinois
How much does Community Foundation of Northern Illinois give each year?
Community Foundation of Northern Illinois gave $8.6M across 248 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $3.6M across 121 grants.
What is Community Foundation of Northern Illinois's typical grant size?
Community Foundation of Northern Illinois's median grant in 2024 was $13,031, and its average grant was $34,730, across 248 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Community Foundation of Northern Illinois that year got $72K on average.
Where does Community Foundation of Northern Illinois give grants?
Community Foundation of Northern Illinois gives mostly in Illinois: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Rockford, IL (191 grants), Loves Park, IL (9 grants), Freeport, IL (9 grants) and Belvidere, IL (5 grants).
Does Community Foundation of Northern Illinois give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 248 grants with a stated purpose on Community Foundation of Northern Illinois's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are Community Foundation of Northern Illinois's largest grantees?
Community Foundation of Northern Illinois's largest 2024 grantees include Community Grants Annual Grant Pass-Thru ($1,380,643 across 12 grants), Ronald F Peterson Area Economic Development ($617,228 across 2 grants) and The MILL Foundation ($337,561 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 27% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Community Foundation of Northern Illinois?
Community Foundation of Northern Illinois reported $156.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $14.8M.
What does Community Foundation of Northern Illinois fund?
CFNIL’s mission is to inspire endowment and promote philanthropy for the current and future needs of the people of Northern Illinois. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Community Foundation of Northern Illinois?
Community Foundation of Northern Illinois has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check cfnil.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Community Foundation of Northern Illinois's EIN?
Community Foundation of Northern Illinois's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-4402089. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
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Community Foundation of Northern Illinois down — hundreds of funders to go?