Apply | Charitable Trust Grant

How to Apply for a Charitable Trust Grant

Applicants must complete the online application and submit all required forms and supporting documents. If you need help because you do not have access to a computer or the internet, contact the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office.

What the Application Covers

The application will ask for:

• Basic information about your organization and its leadership
• Confirmation that your organization meets the grant requirements
• A short explanation of how the grant funds will be used
• Documentation showing that your organization is in good standing with the appropriate state and federal agencies
• Financial documents demonstrating your organization’s financial health

Required Supporting Documents

Submit all applicable documents with your application. Applications submitted without the required supporting documents—or an explanation of why a document is unavailable—will not be considered.

The Charitable Trust Committee or the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office may request additional information or require a visit to the applicant’s program site.

• IRS determination letter showing your current tax-exempt status.
  • If your exemption is still pending, submit Form 1023-EZ, 1023, or 1024 instead.
• Your organization’s most recent IRS Form 990 or Form 990-EZ, including Schedule A, if required. If your organization files Form 990-N instead, provide confirmation of its most recent filing.
  • If you have not filed one, include a brief explanation.
• Illinois Charitable Organization Registration Statement (Form CO-1). You may also submit other official proof that your organization is currently registered with the Illinois Attorney General’s Charitable Trust Bureau. (Available in the Illinois Attorney General Charitable Trust Online Filing System).
• Form CO-2, if your organization has existed for less than one year.
• AG990-IL Illinois Charitable Organization Annual Report for each of the past three years your organization has existed. Include all required attachments, fees, and signatures.
• Form IFC (for each fundraising campaign, if a professional fundraiser was used).
• All contracts with professional fundraisers, if applicable.
• Articles of Incorporation and a Certificate of Good Standing from the Illinois Secretary of State. (Questions? Call the Department of Business Services or call 217-782-6961.)
• Bylaws, including any amendments.
• A detailed annual operating budget for your organization.
• A complete list of officers, directors, and trustees, including each person’s:
  • name
  • title
  • professional affiliation
  • address
  • daytime phone number
  • email address
• A list of other grants received in the past two years, including federal, state, and private grants. Please also include details for each grant, including terms, project purpose, and any related supporting materials.
• Your most recent complete audited financial statements, if available.