9 Illinois Nonprofit Groups Chosen for $175,000 in Charitable Trust Grants

 

9 Illinois Nonprofit Groups Chosen for $175,000 in Charitable Trust Grants 

SPRINGFIELD – Nine small Illinois nonprofits, including organizations in Chicago, central Illinois and the Metro East, are sharing $175,000 in grant funds through the Charitable Trust Stabilization Program, which is managed by Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs’ office. 

The funds will help the nonprofits fulfill their missions to help people by providing food and housing, as well as workforce and economic development assistance. 

“Small nonprofit organizations play a vital role by assisting people in need,” Frerichs said. “Through the Charitable Trust program, I’m proud to support the work of these nonprofits, which contribute so much to the well-being of Illinois citizens and communities.” 

The Charitable Trust Stabilization Fund assists small nonprofits with annual budgets of $1 million or less. The fund’s money comes from filing fees that nonprofits pay when incorporating in the state of Illinois – and not from personal or property tax dollars. 

The nine nonprofits that were selected as the latest Charitable Trust grant recipients participated in the fall 2022 grant cycle. Organization representatives expressed appreciation for being chosen. 

“Homelessness and food insecurity are widespread issues. On a typical morning, about one in five Chicago households wake up knowing that they won't have reliable access to healthy food that day,” said Hope Pavich, executive director of Care for Friends in Chicago. “Partners like the Illinois Charitable Trust make a critical difference as we work to address the underlying challenges that bring about this issue, and it’s wonderful to work with them to address food insecurity in the city."  

"Food insecurity continues to be a problem in our community and was further exacerbated by the COVID crisis,” said Traci Barkley, director of Sola Gratia Farm in Urbana. “Our community farm is expanding in both scope and diversity of fresh food offerings and services and is investing further in sustainable farming practices with support, in part, from the Illinois Charitable Trust Fund. We're very excited about this project’s potential to both expand our ability to feed our community, especially those who are food-insecure, while also demonstrating important nature-based solutions to climate mitigation." 

“The Eagle’s Nest of St. Clair County is a transition home for homeless male veterans with a mission to empower them to self-sufficiency and economic independence,” said Sandra Northern, president of the East St. Louis organization’s board of directors. “The funds are a valuable resource needed to support program goals of providing essential care and services to homeless male veterans. As such, the funding is helping the organization continue to provide critical housing, clothing, meals, hygiene services, intensive case management, substance use groups, transportation assistance, life skills development, and workforce development to veterans in the state of Illinois.” 

Here is the full list of the nine Charitable Trust grant recipients from the fall 2022 grant cycle: 

Care for Friends in Chicago qualified for $20,000 

Community Service Center of Northern Champaign County in Rantoul qualified for $20,000 

The Eagle’s Nest of St. Clair County at The Joseph Center in East St. Louis qualified for $20,000 

LEAP (Language Empowers All People) in Chicago qualified for $20,000 

Lewis and Clark Habitat for Humanity in Collinsville qualified for $20,000 

METEC in Peoria qualified for $20,000 

New Community Outreach in Chicago qualified for $15,000 

Sola Gratia Farm in Urbana qualified for $20,000 

YEMBA Inc. in Oak Park qualified for $20,000 

The Charitable Trust Stabilization Fund’s next grant cycle in 2023, running from July 1 to September 30, will award grants to nonprofits in two categories: organizations assisting people with housing and organizations providing people with workforce and economic development. The first grant cycle in 2023, which concluded in March, will award grants to nonprofits in two categories: organizations with food programs and organizations with workforce and economic development programs. 

An independent 11-member committee, which oversees the management and guidelines of the fund, selects the grant recipients. The maximum award amount is $20,000 for each organization. Grant applicants located in an area where pervasive poverty, unemployment and economic distress exist will be given special attention. Previous grant recipients are eligible to apply if the term of their grant has been complete for at least one calendar year. 

Since the Charitable Trust Stabilization Fund program was established in 2017, $4.1 million has been awarded to 201 nonprofit organizations. 

Visit ilcharitabletrust.com to complete an application online or contact the Treasurer’s Office at (217) 836-4590. 

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