Organizations Provide People with Food Assistance, Job Training
SPRINGFIELD — Ten small Illinois nonprofits, including organizations in Chicago, central Illinois and northwestern Illinois, are sharing $182,241 in grant funds through the Charitable Trust Stabilization Program, which is managed by State Treasurer Michael Frerichs’ office.
“Small nonprofit organizations perform an important service to individuals and communities by lending a hand to people in need,” Frerichs said. “I’m proud that my office can support the commendable work of these nonprofits through the Charitable Trust program.” Charitable Trust funds help nonprofits fulfill their missions to help people by providing food, housing, and workforce and economic development assistance. For this grant cycle, funds were awarded to nonprofits in two categories: organizations with food programs and organizations with workforce and economic development programs.
The Charitable Trust Stabilization Fund assists small nonprofits with annual budgets of $1 million or less.
The fund’s money comes from filing fees that nonprofits pay when incorporating in the state of Illinois – and not from personal or property tax dollars.
Representatives of the latest Charitable Trust grant recipients said they appreciate being selected.
• “In our community, over 60% of children qualify for free and reduced lunch, and many of these kids also face food insecurity at home. Barb Food Mart provides weekly access to culturally and nutritionally diverse foods, and families can choose the foods that meet their individual needs,” said Barb Food Mart Director Joey Moore. “With this grant, we were able to purchase locally grown produce, meat, milk and eggs. This ensures what we have to offer is high-quality food that parents can feel good about. When kids show up to school well-nourished with their bellies full, they are able to learn and thrive!”
• “Disability Lead is proud to have been selected to receive a grant under the Fund’s Economic & Workforce Development focus area,” said Emily Blum, executive director. “We thank the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office and the grant committee for recognizing the importance of disabled leadership and equity and inclusion in the workplace!” Here is the full list of the 10 Charitable Trust grant recipients from the spring 2023 grant cycle:
• A Just Harvest in Chicago qualified for $20,000 • Barb Food Mart in DeKalb qualified for $20,000 • Career & Networking Center in Naperville qualified for $14,000 • Congo Square Theatre in Chicago qualified for $20,000 • Disability Lead in Chicago qualified for $20,000 • Junior Achievement of Central Illinois in East Peoria qualified for $20,000 • Latino Union of Chicago qualified for $20,000 • Plant Chicago in Chicago qualified for $19,116 • United Way of Whiteside County in Rock Falls qualified for $9,125 • VNA Community Services in Galesburg qualified for $20,000 The Charitable Trust Stabilization Fund’s next grant cycle will run from January 1 to March 31 and will award grants to nonprofit charitable programs in two categories: food assistance and housing assistance.
An independent 11-member committee, which oversees the management and guidelines of the fund, selects the grant recipients. The maximum award amount is $20,000 for each organization. Grant applicants located in an area where pervasive poverty, unemployment and economic distress exist will be given special attention. Previous grant recipients are eligible to apply if the term of their grant has been complete for at least one calendar year.
Since being established in 2017, the Charitable Trust Stabilization Fund program has awarded 211 grants — totaling nearly $4.3 million — to 183 nonprofit organizations that have helped tens of thousands of people.
Visit ilcharitabletrust.com to complete an application online or contact the Treasurer’s Office at (217) 836- 4590.
About the Illinois Treasurer The Illinois State Treasurer’s Office is a powerful economic engine that invests in people to drive prosperity, development and growth throughout the state. As State Treasurer, Michael Frerichs (FRAIR'iks) is the state’s Chief Investment and Banking Officer and actively manages approximately $55 billion. The investments help families pay for college and trade school; workers save for a dignified retirement; and local governments process bill payments more efficiently so they can pass along the savings to taxpayers.
The office provides financial institutions money to loan to farmers, small business owners, and qualified individuals at below-market rates because better jobs create stronger communities. The office operates the state’s largest consumer-protection initiative, the missing money I-Cash program, which has returned a record-breaking $1.8 billion since Frerichs was elected.
For more news about the State Treasurer’s Office, please follow Treasurer Frerichs on X (formerly Twitter) at @ILTreasurer, Threads @iltreasurer, Instagram at ILTreasurer, LinkedIn and on Facebook at Invested in You – Treasurer Michael Frerichs.
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