Grant Ratings
Grants are rated by the level of difficulty and the applicant's required expertise.
- Limited Grant Experience = L
- Moderate Grant Experience = M
- Expert Grant Experience = E
About the Guide
This list was last updated on November 25, 2025. Please note that not all grants are available to all types of organizations and farms in all locations. Make sure to do your research before applying. Programs supported by federal funds are also subject to change.
Awesome Foundation (E)
Awesome Foundation (E): Chicago Chapter has been funding awesomeness in the Windy City since the summer of 2011. They’ve funded everything from little free libraries and puppet shows to electron microscopes and a temporary mini golf course on Milwaukee Avenue. The Chicago trustees generally meet on the third Tuesday of every month to review proposals. Rolling applications up to $1000. : Chicago Chapter has been funding awesomeness in the Windy City since the summer of 2011. They’ve funded everything from little free libraries and puppet shows to electron microscopes and a temporary mini golf course on Milwaukee Avenue. The Chicago trustees generally meet on the third Tuesday of every month to review proposals. Rolling applications up to $1000.
Cliff Bar Family Foundation (L/M)
Cliff Bar Family Foundation (L/M) provides grants to 501(c)3 organizations that are working to protect natural resources, strengthen communities and the food system, and enhance public health. Priority is given to applicants who address the funding priorities from a holistic perspective.
Applications are reviewed twice a year.
Deadlines are March 1 and August 1.
Range: $ 5,000- $50,000.
Openlands TreePlanters Grants (L)
Openlands TreePlanters Grants (L) are for residents of the City of Chicago and surrounding communities. Grants are awarded to people, groups, organizations, or local municipalities that can bring together and coordinate their neighbors to plant 10-40 trees in predetermined locations in their neighborhood. For more information or questions on how to apply, contact trees@openlands.org or call 312-863-6280.
The Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant (M)
The Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant (M) program provides $10,000 for resident-driven groups in small cities and towns (populations under 30,000) to start the Community Heart & Soul model. Grant funding requires a $10,000 cash match from the participating municipality or a partnering organization. Rolling applications.
West Cook Wild One Garden for Nature (L)
West Cook Wild One Garden for Nature (L) provides modest grants to nonprofits that want to improve the environment and engage their community by creating, expanding, or renewing populations of native plants in their community. It is open to nonprofits in or near our service territory of west central Cook County IL.
- Grant funds are for the purchase of native plants.
- Aaward amounts depend on the project.
- Typical awards are $100-$2,000 per applicant.
Chicago Racial Justice Pooled Fund (CRJPF) (M)
Chicago Racial Justice Pooled Fund (CRJPF) (M) provides unrestricted grants to nonprofits that are Black-led and use grassroots community organizing as a primary strategy, as well as ally-led community organizing groups addressing anti-Blackness. CRJPF’s application is in the Crossroads Fund’s Online Grant Portal.
- Grants are for general operating support.
- Grants range between $25,000 – $50,000 per year.