CFNI Neighborhood Grants

The CFNI Neighborhood Grants Program encourages community engagement by funding resident-led projects that enhance local quality of life. It supports initiatives such as community gardens, crime prevention, and beautification projects, focusing on partnerships among residents and organizations. Eligible applicants include 501c3 non-profits and neighborhood associations within specific counties in Illinois. The program aims to strengthen neighborhoods by leveraging local assets and fostering civic pride.

The Neighborhood Grants Program exists to:
Promote resident participation and leadership in neighborhood-based groups/organizations;Encourage and support the work of neighborhood-based groups and organizations trying to preserve and/or improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods;Invest in and build on the existing strengths and assets of the region’s neighborhoods; andPromote civic pride in our community.
What We Look For
Projects that:

• Are generated, led, and executed by residents of the neighborhood;
• Build on the assets existing in the neighborhood, including using the skills of residents, involving youth or working with an existing neighborhood group; and
• Encourage partnerships between residents, businesses, non-profits and institutions (e.g., schools or churches) within the neighborhood.
• What We Fund

Resident-Focused Seminars Community GardensOrganizing & Newsletters Reforestation ProjectsNeighborhood Clean Ups Neighborhood Activities & SurveysCrime Prevention Beautification Projects
Beautification Projects
Permanent fixtures (i.e., trash receptacles, planters) must be installed on public property or common areas.
Landscape projects must have a maintenance plan (i.e., watering, weeding).
Reforesting Neighborhoods
Trees must be planted in public or common areas, not private property.

Eligibility

To be eligible for funding, an applicant must:Be a 501c3 tax-exempt, not-for-profit agency and/or an organized group carrying out a charitable purpose for the common good (i.e. a neighborhood association);
Have a minimum of three active leaders (e.g. President, Treasurer, Secretary, etc.);
Have an established process to manage funds, including a current checking account in the name of the organization/group;
Be operated and organized so that there is no discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, veteran's status, disability, or any other factor prohibited by applicable law;
Be a neighborhood or neighborhood-based organization/group that is located within Boone, Ogle, Stephenson, or Winnebago County;
Have a plan to implement a project that will benefit residents of a defined geographic area;
Have the capacity to complete the proposed project within ten months; and
Be current on all final reports for previously awarded Neighborhood Grants.

Ineligibility

Grants are not made from the Neighborhood Grants Program for the following:Landscaping private property;Activities that primarily benefit non-resident individuals, organizations, or groups.Projects and programs that promote a religion or require participation in a religious activity as a condition for receiving services. However, grants may be made to faith-based organizations for other purposes.