The Cook County is seeking applications for its Creative Placemaking grant program.
Donor Name: Cook County
State: Illinois
County: Cook County (IL)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 04/07/2025
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
Cook County is investing $2 million in transformative community-led projects that leverage the arts to enhance the quality of life for suburban Cook County residents.
Applicants are encouraged to identify opportunities to leverage the power of the arts within broader community revitalization plans. Partnerships are key. Competitive project proposals will demonstrate community embeddedness with evidence of input from a range of community partners, including residents, independent artists, local government, small businesses, community and economic development agencies, and other nonprofits.
Proposed projects should work to deepen community connections and create a shared vision for change. Proposals might include:
- Artist Murals and Public Art
- Community Gardens
- Cultural Planning/Convening
- Neighborhood Gateways
- Reimagined Public Spaces
- Commercial Corridor Improvements
- Creative Asset Mapping
- New Cultural Facilities.
Funding Information
Nonprofit organizations located in and serving suburban neighborhoods may apply for grants from $50,000 to $250,000, along with technical assistance, for Creative Placemaking projects that improve the economic, physical, and social vitality of suburban communities.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Have received IRS determination of exempt status as a 501(c) at least two years prior to application and maintained continuous operations since receiving status. A 501(c) organization is a type of nonprofit entity that qualifies for tax-exempt status under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) in the United States. These organizations are exempt from federal income tax because they serve a public, mutual, or member benefit purpose rather than a private profit motive. A 501(c) 4 is not eligible to apply.
- Have an official business address in suburban Cook County (outside the City of Chicago).
- Have a record of achievement with implementing services, programs, or initiatives to improve the lives of residents in suburban communities.
- Priority for funding will focus on projects from applicants with a history in creative placemaking in underserved/under-resourced communities.
For more information, visit Cook County.
