Charitable Trust

Charitable Trust – 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. The program is funded by non-profits and exists to support non-profits.

Charitable Trust is intended to help small non-profits with annual budgets of $1 million or less and a full-time employee. Grant applicants located in an area where pervasive poverty, unemployment, and economic distress exist will be given special attention.

Treasurer Michael Frerichs and the State Treasurer’s Office manage the Fund with help from an 11-member committee. The committee includes people from state agencies and private citizens.

In Spring 2025 (January 1–March 31, 2025), grants will be awarded in two categories: Housing and Economic & Workforce Development. In Fall 2025 (July 1–September 30, 2025), grants will be awarded in two categories: Food and Housing.

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

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.

The application requests basic information about the non-profit organization and 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, and other information that demonstrates the fiscal health of the organization.

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

CharitableTrust@illinoistreasurer.gov or at 217-836-4590.

For more information about eligibility and the criteria that will be used to judge applications, click here.

For some basic information regarding Charitable Trust, please see the Charitable Trust Fact Sheet.