Circle of Service Foundation

Community Services & Jewish Community Grants (unsolicited for Cook & Lake County)

Who can apply: Applicants must generally be public charities under section 501(c)(3), have a broad base of non-governmental supporters, at least $75,000 in private revenue in the last fiscal year, and meet board/governance criteria. For Jewish Community requests, the program is for organizations with programming in Cook County or Lake County, Illinois.

Deadline: Rolling basis; most organizations hear back within 45 days for a Pre-application and 90-120 days for an Application.

Challenge Grants (general grantmaking)

Who can apply: Applicants must generally be 501(c)(3) public charities with a broad base of nongovernmental supporters, at least $75,000 in private revenue in the prior fiscal year, a governing board of at least five unrelated members including at least four nonemployees, meaningful board financial contributions, and the capacity to raise and track new or increased private donations for a challenge grant. Community Services and Jewish Community applicants generally must be in Cook County or Lake County, Illinois. Education requests, Medical Research requests, and Jewish Community requests outside Cook or Lake County are invitation-only. Multi-year challenge grants are available only to organizations with an established funding history.

Deadline: Pre-applications and applications are accepted on a rolling basis with no specific deadlines unless otherwise communicated. Applicants generally hear within 45 days of a pre-application and 90–120 days of a full application. Current grantees may apply for a new grant 90 days before the current grant term ends.

Community Services

Who can apply: Organizations or programs must align with the Community Services focus area and be located in Cook County or Lake County, Illinois. Applicants must be public charities under section 501(c)(3), have the capacity to fulfill a challenge grant, have at least $75,000 in private revenue in the last fiscal year (or contact the foundation if new/startup), have an eligible board structure, and demonstrate clear outcomes and goals.

Deadline: Rolling basis; no specific deadlines unless otherwise stated.

Jewish Community Grants

Who can apply: For Community Services and Jewish Community requests, the program or organization must be in Cook County or Lake County, Illinois. The foundation accepts unsolicited pre-applications for Jewish Community requests in Cook County and/or Lake County, Illinois. Applicants must also meet the foundation's general criteria for public charities, challenge-grant capacity, private revenue, board composition, and outcomes reporting.

Deadline: Rolling basis; no specific deadlines unless otherwise stated.

General Grant Application / Online Portal

Who can apply: Applicants must use the online portal to start a Pre-application or Application. Applicants are encouraged to review the Pre-application and Application question worksheets before beginning. More detailed 'Getting Started Criteria' and 'Planning for a COSF Grant' pages are linked from the application area.