815-801-3035 info@fornwil.org

Grants

The Foundation for Northwest Illinois

The Foundation for Northwest Illinois supports nonprofit organizations serving citizens in Stephenson, Jo Daviess, and Carroll counties in Northwest Illinois. The size and number of grants are directly related to the amount of money available each grant period and to the restrictions donors have placed upon the use of certain funds.

Grant Programs

Marvin ∙ Wilson Community Needs Annual Grant
Next Application Opening: TBA
Application Closing: TBA
Status: CLOSED

John M. Drogosz Youth Substance Abuse Prevention/Treatment Memorial Fund Grant
Next Application Opening: July 10, 2023
Application Closing: August 7, 2023
Status: OPEN

Grant Program Next Application Opening Next Application Closing Status
Annual Grant January 30, 2023 April 6, 2023 Closed
Drogosz Grant July 10, 2023 August 7, 2023 Open
John M. Drogosz Grant Guidelines - Open Through August 7, 2023

The John M. Drogosz Youth Substance Abuse Prevention/Treatment Memorial Fund was established in December 2010 by Dick and Marianne Drogosz, John’s parents, through their matching gift in response to the generous contributions of more than 200 donors. Grants made from this Fund will be directed to non-profit organizations with educational, prevention and/or treatment of substance abuse programs focused on helping youth ages 21 or younger in Stephenson, Jo Daviess, and Carroll Counties.

The following are the specific criteria for grants from this Fund:

  • Organization must be a nonprofit status for more than 1 year and serve youth in Stephenson, Jo Daviess, and Carroll Counties
  • Programs or activities must focus on the education, prevention and/or treatment of substance abuse
  • Programs and/or activities must focus on youth (defined as 21 or younger) in Stephenson, Jo Daviess, and Carroll Counties
  • Programs must demonstrate vision, action, effectiveness, good management and quality outcomes
  • Programs and/or activities should present innovative, creative and practical approaches in dealing with the education, prevention and/or treatment of substance abuse with youth
  • Grants will be considered for the expansion and/or completion of a program/project that meets the above criteria

Grants will not be awarded for the following:

  • Annual fund-raising drives or fund-raising expenses
  • Endowments
  • Capital campaigns
  • Grants to individuals, fraternal organizations, bands or booster clubs
  • Travel or conference expenses
  • Religious purposes
Marvin ∙ Wilson Community Needs Annual Grant Guidelines (Closed)

The Foundation for Northwest Illinoisn is particularly interested in funding initiatives that are collaborative, inclusive and responsive to current and emerging needs of the community. Programs and/or activities should:

  • Present innovative, creative and practical approaches in dealing with community needs
  • Strengthen the capacity of the community to solve problems or seize opportunities in the future
  • Encourage partnerships and collaborative efforts to reduce duplication of services
  • Demonstrate vision, action, effectiveness, good management and quality

The philanthropic fields of interests include, though are not limited to, initiatives that will:

  • Address current and emerging needs
  • Foster civil and community betterment
  • Meet human and health service needs
  • Provide reform and innovation in the schools and new approaches to learning
  • Support the advancement of arts and literature

In general, grants are not awarded for the following:

  • Annual project/program support and ongoing operating support
  • Annual fundraising drives
  • Capital campaigns (this does not exclude grants for emergency capital needs)
  • Endowments
  • Grants to individuals, fraternal organizations, booster clubs
  • Travel or conference expenses
  • Religious purposes (this does not exclude grants to religious organizations for nonreligious purposes)
  • Fundraising expenses