Midwest Division Grant Guidelines

As the founding division of IICF, the Midwest Division has been serving local communities across the midwestern United States since 1994. The IICF Midwest Division focuses grant support to nonprofits with programs focused on the areas of children at risk, education, and human services. Priority of funding is given to programming supporting underserved communities. Midwest Division grants typically range from $5,000 to $20,000. In 2025, the Midwest Division is proud to award over $600,000 to 60+ outstanding nonprofit organizations.

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Midwest Division Focus Areas

• Health
• Education
• Safety

General Grant Criteria
To be eligible for funding consideration by the IICF an agency must meet the following criteria:

• Be recommended by an IICF board member, supporting company, or fundraising program
• The agency must be organized as a 501c3 charity
• The proposal must fall within one of our three approved funding focus areas.
• The agency completes and submits a proposal based upon a set of guidelines furnished by the Foundation
• The agency maintains effective and efficient business practices and does not discriminate

2026 Application Timeline: 

March 2 - Grant nominations by IICF board members due

March 6 - Invitation to apply for a grant sent to nonprofits

March 18 - Pre-application due 

April 24 - Grant proposals due

Q3 - Grant recommendations presented at board meetings and approved

Grant awards will be delivered:

            Midwest Division: September 2026

           Heartland Chapter: November 2026

           Ohio Chapter: November 2026

           Minnesota Chapter: November 2026

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PLEASE NOTE: IICF does not accept nor consider unsolicited grant requests. Proposals are requested by invitation only. Additionally, IICF operates a  three-year consecutive funding maximum rule. An organization is deemed ineligible for funding consideration following three years of consecutive funding.