Impact 100 Chicago Grant

The Impact 100 Chicago Grant provides $100,000 annually to local nonprofits addressing critical social issues in Chicago. This initiative supports high-impact projects and programs, encouraging organizations to apply by selecting a primary focus area such as culture, education, family, health, or sustainability. The grant cycle runs from September to May, with eligibility requiring 501(c)(3) status, operational presence in Chicago, and compliance with financial reporting. Unrestricted funds can be utilized for various organizational needs.

About our Grant
Impact Grants Chicago recognizes the valuable work of the many local nonprofit organizations addressing the critical needs and social issues facing Chicago. To support this work, Impact Grants Chicago annually awards $100,000 grants to Chicago nonprofits, providing them the funds to support high-impact projects and programs. We fund new programs or projects as well as the expansion or continuation of successful programs or projects.
The number of $100,000 grants to be awarded is announced in February of each year based on Impact Grant Chicago’s membership numbers. Each member joins with a $1,000 donation and 100% of these funds are pooled to create $100,000 grants. For every 100 members, one Impact Grant is awarded. Residual funds are awarded as Merit Grants to the remaining finalists for general operating support.
Impact Grants Chicago conducts one grant cycle each year beginning in September with the submission of Letters of Inquiry and ending in May with the awarding of the grants at our Grant Awards Celebration.
Focus Areas
Impact Grants Chicago asks organizations to indicate a primary Focus Area. You will be asked in the application to select the focus area that best describes your services. Your choice of focus area does not influence the review of your LOI.
Culture: Projects or programs that develop, cultivate or enhance the cultural and artistic climate; or explore and educate others about the arts, cultural heritage and diversity in Chicago.Education: Projects or programs that advance or improve learning opportunities for children and/or adults, including job training, in Chicago.Family: Projects or programs that strengthen and enhance the lives of children and families in Chicago.Health: Projects or programs that improve the physical and/or mental well-being of people living in Chicago.Sustainability: Projects or programs that promote a positive and sustainable relationship between humans and their environment or help neighborhoods thrive by promoting healthy food systems through community gardening, urban agriculture or other activities in Chicago.

Eligibility

Note: Further eligibility determination is at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
To apply for an Impact Grants Chicago grant, an organization must:Be classified as a “Public Charity” with tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code for a minimum of 36 months prior to applying for the grant.Be based and operate in the city of Chicago.Provide the majority of the services in the city of Chicago.Independently file an IRS Form 990 (unless exempt by federal law).Report total revenues for the last full fiscal year between $1,000,000 and $8,000,000 in the most recent 990. If exempt from filing 990, must meet revenue requirement in the audit.Be independently and separately audited.If your nonprofit is part of a consolidated organization, the consolidated audit must include consolidating statements (statement of activities and balance sheet) for the applicant, or must reflect the financial results presented in the IRS Form 990.Use the full amount of the grant within 24 months.Submit only one application per year.All applicants who did not receive an Impact Grant may apply again the following year.All organizations are applying for an Impact Grant of $100,000What Impact Grants Chicago FundsProjects or programs that address an identifiable need within the organization or served population.Projects or programs that have a high impact on the organization and the community it serves. These may include new, existing or expansions of existing projects or programs.Projects may include capital expenditures or improvements, funding of program expenses, or a combination thereof. All grants are unrestricted funds and may be used towards any of your organization’s projects that meet our eligibility criteria. Grants may be used towards a specific project or general operating funds. In your application, you may describe how you would plan to use a grant, but if received, the grant would not be restricted to that purpose.

Ineligibility

What Impact Grants Chicago Does Not FundCapital projects to property that are:not owned by the applicant as of the Full Grant Application due date;leased under a lease not in effect as of the Full Grant Application due date; orleased under a lease with less than five years remaining on the lease as of June 1 of the Impact Grants Award year.Projects involving acquisition of real estateDebt reductionPass-through grantsInterim or bridge fundingFundraising activities or eventsEndowmentsPrivate FoundationsPartisan, legislative, or political activitiesFraternal, sectarian, religious and other organizations where the grant is intended for the principal benefit of the organization's own members or adherents or where the grant is intended for inherently religious activities or participation in religious activities is required as a component of the program.Previous recipients of a $100,000 Impact Grant may not apply for a period of three years after the grant was awarded.