Local Jobs Fund

The Local Jobs Fund Grant is a competitive grant opportunity administered by the Community Foundation of Central Illinois. The foundation invests in programs that address community needs and are intended to have lasting value. Its broader competitive grantmaking approach is focused on established foundation and donor priorities, strategic support for programs with well-defined objectives and measurable outcomes, and collaboration that leverages resources and cultivates partnerships. The Local Jobs Fund specifically supports projects directly linked to breaking the cycle of poverty by equipping people with skills that enable them to earn significantly more than minimum wage. Funding may support new or existing programs that positively benefit central Illinois. The Local Jobs Fund aligns most directly with workforce development and employment and training objectives, while the foundation's competitive grantmaking areas also include animal welfare, arts, children and youth, community improvement, education, health, human services, food insecurity, and workforce development. CFCI does not fund annual or capital campaigns, individuals, endowments, or sectarian religious purposes. Faith-based organizations and churches may be eligible when the funded program serves the community rather than a sectarian religious purpose. Programs must operate in compliance with applicable laws. Eligible applicants include organizations with tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, organizations operating under a fiscal agent that is a 501(c)(3) organization, churches, schools, and units of government. Programs must serve individuals within a 50-mile radius of the city of Peoria, Illinois, excluding Knox County and McLean County. Organizations must also be current on all required CFCI grant evaluations. If an organization is currently receiving a CFCI grant and its evaluation is not yet due, it must submit an interim letter with the application summarizing the progress of that grant. The 2026 application period runs from July 1, 2026 through September 2, 2026, with applications due by 5:00 p.m. Central Time. Applications for CFCI grant opportunities are posted on the Community Foundation of Central Illinois website under Grant Seekers and generally open 60 days before the deadline. Organizations may submit only one application per grant program per year. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. Applications must be signed or approved by both the person writing the grant and executive-level personnel. CFCI reserves the right to change application requirements up to 60 days before the deadline. Proposals must be received or submitted by 5:00 p.m. Central Time on the application deadline. If a deadline falls on a holiday or weekend, applications will be accepted through the next business day. Each grant opportunity is subject to a review process that may last 30 to 60 days after the submission deadline, although CFCI may shorten or extend that process. Funding is competitive, and the foundation notes that not all projects can be funded. Applicants will receive written notification regarding the status of their grant request. Following completion of a funded grant program, the grantee must complete and submit a grant evaluation within one month. Failure to fully complete and return the evaluation within one month of grant completion will prevent the organization from being considered for another grant for at least two years. The source does not state a current award minimum, award maximum, total 2026 program funding amount, number of anticipated 2026 awards, matching requirement, named program contact, performance period, or direct PDF URL. Historical information identifies Community Workshop and Training Center as the 2025 Local Jobs Fund recipient, receiving $3,000 for the Discovery Profile of Assessments for Adults with Disabilities program.

Submit a complete application by the deadline; define clear objectives and measurable outcomes; demonstrate lasting community value; show collaboration and leveraged resources where applicable; directly connect the project to breaking the cycle of poverty by equipping people with skills to earn significantly more than minimum wage