The Circle of Service Foundation was established in 1997.
As a private family foundation, the Circle of Service Foundation makes grants to qualified non-profit organizations. Organizations must be located in and/or operating in Illinois, within a 100 mile radius of Chicago. Priority is given to those located in and serving the city of Chicago, Cook County and Lake County. Organizations must help underprivileged or needy people to help themselves, or relieve human suffering. Most grants fall into the following focus areas:
Education(emphasis on youth & family)
Workforce Development (job training & career building)
Health and Wellness(medical research & patient support)
Jewish Community (see additional information below)
Basic Needs(food, shelter & social services)
Jewish Community grant requests will be considered from organizations serving the entire metropolitan Chicago area as well as those national in scope. At this time we are not considering requests for international organizations or programs. Please use the specific grant application for Jewish Community grant requests.
The Foundation awards many grants in the form of challenges or matches. Organizations are encouraged to create a request with a challenge or match component. Please contact foundation staff for assistance if needed.
The
Foundation expects the highest standard of ethics with regard to all
organizations, their directors and employees who benefit from grants.
The Foundation continues to develop its funding priorities and its processes. These guidelines will be revised from time to time as deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors.
THE FOUNDATION DOES NOT CONSIDER GRANTS TO:
Individuals for scholarship, research or travel
Organizations for travel
Pay off pre-existing debts or deficits
Political organizations or lobbying activities
Local organizations that raise funds to send overseas
All organizations seeking grants must prove tax-exempt eligibility under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Tax Code.
All grant requests must be filed online, through a link on this website. Only complete grant requests will be considered. Click here for our application. Grant requests which cross over more than one focus area often receive higher funding priority by our board of directors.
This site is maintained by the Circle of Service Foundation. It was last updated on March 26, 2009.