Coles County Peace and Justice Fund Grant Program

The Coles County Peace and Justice Fund Grant Program, supported by the Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation, aims to enhance social justice and cross-cultural understanding. It provides funding for projects that directly benefit Coles County residents, particularly those that engage youth. Eligible initiatives include public programs, diversity training, and collaborative efforts that address root causes of social issues. Preference is given to projects that foster community engagement and promote diversity in Coles County.

The Coles County Peace and Justice Fund awards grants to organizations in Coles County for programs and activities that encourage mutual trust and promote cross-cultural understanding on matters of social justice, human rights, religious tolerance, and environmental protection. Projects and programs may include but aren’t limited to: speakers and expenses related to hosted public programs; organizational diversity training; cross-cultural, organizational collaboration; and the purchase of materials (e.g., books and videos), which promote diversity and encourage greater public understanding.
Successful grantees will have the following characteristics:

• Work to understand and address the root causes of the issues, not just the symptoms.
• See itself as part of a more significant movement for social change and work towards strengthening that movement.

Eligibility

Eligible projects must provide a direct benefit to Coles County residents and address significant, unmet needs.