Staff Report

ROCKFORD – NW HomeStart and the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNIL) are accepting applications for the Neighborhood Grants Program until 5 p.m. on Monday, April 1.

The program is available to neighborhood-based groups and nonprofit organizations operating in Boone, Ogle, Stephenson, and Winnebago Counties.

CFNIL has operated a neighborhood grants program since 1995, distributing more than $725,000 to build better neighborhoods in Rockford and beyond. This is the fourth year the CFNIL and HomeStart are collaborating to expand the opportunity to the four-county region.

The Neighborhood Grants Program funds neighborhood projects, including but not limited to beautification, crime prevention, surveys, clean ups, newsletters, organizing, reforestation, and resident-focused education.

The maximum award from the Neighborhood Grants Program is $2,500. Awards will be announced in May.

Applications must be submitted through CFNIL’s Web Portal  until April 1,

Last year’s recipients include African-American Resource Center at Booker, Capron Lions Club, Circles of Learning, City of Belvidere, Collier Gardens Resident Council, Greater Freeport Partnership, Ken-Rock Community Center, North Highland Square Neighborhood Association, Park-er-Woods Community Association, Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity, Winnebago Community Historical Society, Youth Services Network, and Zion Outreach.