Impact Grants Chicago

Impact Grants Chicago empowers women to collectively fund $100,000 grants to nonprofits addressing critical social issues in Chicago. With a four-step application process, organizations can apply for grants aimed at enhancing community impact across various focus areas such as culture, education, health, and sustainability. The initiative promotes diversity and inclusion within its membership while ensuring that funds are used effectively within 24 months. This approach not only supports local nonprofits but also engages members in meaningful philanthropic efforts.

NOTE: The Impact Grants Chicago grant cycle is a four-step grant application process including a Letter of Inquiry, Full Grant Application, Site Visit and a Final Decision Process.
Our Mission and Values
Impact Grants Chicago connects, engages and inspires women to improve our community by collectively funding $100,000 grants to Chicago nonprofits that are dedicated to addressing the challenges facing our city.
connecting women for collective impactoffering our members an efficient and trusted philanthropic processthe flexibility of engagement in our processevery woman having an equal voice in choosing our granteesthe integrity, commitment and collective knowledge of our membersproviding our members the opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge of Chicago nonprofitsour role in raising the profiles of Chicago nonprofitsa membership that is open to anyone who identifies as a womanbeing an anti-racist organization that promotes a diversity of perspectives in our membership and in our support of the nonprofit community
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 January 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.
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.
CultureProjects 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.EducationProjects or programs that advance or improve learning opportunities for children and/or adults, including job training, in Chicago.FamilyProjects or programs that strengthen and enhance the lives of children and families in Chicago.HealthProjects or programs that improve the physical and/or mental well-being of people living in Chicago.SustainabilityProjects 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

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 headquartered 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) and be independently audited.Report total revenues for the last full fiscal year between $650,000 and $8 million in the most recent 990. If exempt from filing 990, must meet revenue requirement in the audit.Be separately audited, if the entity applying for the grant is a subsidiary or consolidated affiliate.Use the full amount of the grant within 24 months.Previous recipients of a $100,000 Impact Grant may not apply for a period of three years after the grant was awarded.What Impact Grants Chicago Funds:Projects or programs that address an identifiable need within the organization or served populationProjects 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. Organizations are allowed to submit only one application per year.

Ineligibility

What Impact Grants Chicago Does Not FundCapital projects to property that are:not owned by the applicant as of the Letter of Inquiry due date;leased under a lease not in effect as of the Letter of Inquiry due date; orleased under a lease with less than five years remaining on the lease as of July 1 of the Impact Grants award year. Projects involving acquisition of real estateDebt reductionPass-through grantsInterim or bridge fundingFundraising eventsEndowmentsPrivate FoundationsLegislative 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. Programs involving inherently religious activities or if participation in religious activities is required in order to receive services.