Grant Opportunities
The Foundation offers several grant opportunities, each with unique focus areas. Questions about grant funding, eligibility and deadlines should be directed to the contact person indicated.
OPRFCF Community Grants
The Foundation is committed to supporting, creating, and implementing solutions our community has voiced in the past three years through Community Voices. We are pausing the Community Grants program for the 2023 grant cycle in order to evaluate and recalibrate our grantmaking operations, to better align with our enhanced mission. Funds that would have otherwise been granted in 2023 are invested, and will be deferred to the 2024 grant cycle, effectively doubling the impact for our communities in 2024. For more information, please contact Elizabeth Chadri at [email protected].
Future Philanthropists Fund
Future Philanthropists Program students from the Junior Cohort determine priority areas to fund – primarily youth programs that have youth leadership involved in the program design or implementation. An RFP is sent out in early December with a deadline of mid-January for grants requests up to $7,500. Grant awards are announced in late April or early May, and a total of $50,000 is awarded at the FPP Capstone event in late May.
Learn more about the Future Philanthropists Program
Contact: Karen Tardy, [email protected]
NextGen Capacity Building Mini Grants
Awards up to $2,500 in capacity building grants for emerging professionals working in small community organizations to bring their work to the next level. NextGen Leaders in Philanthropy defines capacity building as developing further knowledge, skills, and capabilities, to increase effectiveness or support sustainability in an organization.
Learn more about the NextGen Leaders in Philanthropy
Contact: Helen Morales, [email protected]
Women Leaders in Philanthropy Fund
Women Leaders members vote annually on selected cause areas to fund, informed by community needs research provided by the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation. Awards can range up to $15-20,000 per proposal depending on the total collective funds to distribute, number of causes the membership wishes to support, organization needs, and scope of projects. Priority areas historically have been human needs such as food, shelter, physical and mental health and wellness, and support for women and girls. Request for proposals is by invitation only.
Learn more about the Women Leaders in Philanthropy
Contact: Helen Morales, [email protected]
Entrepreneur Leaders in Philanthropy
Core committee members currently fund micro-grants to high school and post-secondary student entrepreneur programs, in which students learn the art and science of researching, developing, and pitching business proposals. Proposal ideas are considered on a rolling basis.
Learn more about the Entrepreneur Leaders in Philanthropy
Contact: Helen Morales, [email protected]
Kott Memorial Charitable Trust
Grant funding to charitable organizations that improve the livelihood of individuals, especially through education or medical services, with an emphasis on such services for the elderly.
Learn about the Kott Memorial Charitable Trust.
Contact: Elizabeth Chadri, [email protected]
