Charitable Trust Stabilization Fund Grants

Helping Small Nonprofits Across Illinois

The Charitable Trust Stabilization Fund (“Fund”) was created in 2007 to help small non-profits across Illinois. Money for the Fund comes from the filing fees not-for-profit organizations pay to incorporate with the State of Illinois—so the program is funded by non-profits and exists to support non-profits.

Spring Grant Cycle Now Open

Apply before March 31, 2026, for consideration

Spring Charitable Trust Grants will be awarded to non-profit charitable programs in two categories: Food and Economic & Workforce Development.

Apply Today

Who This Grant Is For

Charitable Trust is intended to help small non-profits with annual budgets of $1 million or less and at least one full-time employee. Grant applicants in areas with pervasive poverty, unemployment, and economic distress will be given special attention.

2026 Grant Cycles and Focus Areas

Spring 2026 Grant Cycle: January 1 – March 31, 2026. Grants will be awarded to non-profit charitable programs in two categories: Food and Economic & Workforce Development.

Fall 2026 Grant Cycle: July 1 – September 30, 2026. Grants will be awarded to organizations in two categories: Food and Housing.

Impact Across Illinois

The Charitable Trust Grant program has awarded $5 Million through 251 grants to 209 charitable organizations in 67 cities across Illinois.

How to Apply

Applicants will need to complete the online application in full, including all requested documents and forms. Applicants without access to a computer or the Internet should contact the State Treasurer’s Office at 217-836-4590.

What You’ll Need to Submit

The application requests basic information about the non-profit organization and its leadership. Applicants will also be asked to certify their eligibility for this grant, write a narrative on how the grant money will be spent, and provide supporting documentation that shows their non-profit has filed appropriate forms with the Illinois Secretary of State’s office, the Illinois Attorney General’s office, and the Federal Government, as well as other information that demonstrates the fiscal health of the organization.

Questions?

Questions about this program or the application can be directed to:

CharitableTrust@illinoistreasurer.gov or 217-836-4590

For more information about eligibility and the criteria used to evaluate applications, click here.

Board Members

Treasurer Frerichs and the State Treasurer’s Office work with an 11-member committee that oversees the management and guidelines of the Fund. The committee is made up of appointees from state government agencies and private citizens.

  • Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs, Co-Chair
  • Erica Spangler Raz, Designee for Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Co-Chair
  • Ariana Correa, Designee for Illinois Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton
  • Dan McManus, Designee for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
  • Brandon Purcell, Designee for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
  • Andreason Brown, Appointee
  • Ron Budzinski, Appointee
  • Joan Dixon, Appointee
  • Sheila Simon, Appointee

Charitable Trust Meeting Materials

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