Free Grant Readiness Workshop for Illinois Organizations

This workshop is an interactive learning experience, not a sales pitch and not a grant-writing class.

You will not leave with a completed grant application—but you will leave knowing whether grants are realistic for your organization right now and what needs to happen before you apply.

Think of this as the foundation before the funding.

During this live virtual session, we will walk through:

• What “grant ready” actually means (and why so many organizations apply too early)

• The basic documents and systems funders expect—even for small grants

• Common reasons first-time applicants are denied (and how to avoid them)

• The difference between being eligible and being competitive

• How Illinois-based funding works at a high level (state, local, corporate, and foundation grants)

• Simple, realistic next steps you can take—without burning out your team

You’ll also have time to ask questions and reflect on where your organization stands today.

This workshop is ideal for:

• Illinois nonprofits that have never applied for a grant

• Faith-based organizations exploring grants for the first time

• Grassroots and community-led organizations with limited staff or budget

• New executive directors, founders, or board members wearing multiple hats

• Organizations tired of guessing and ready for clarity

If you’re hoping someone will “just write a grant and get you money tomorrow,” this workshop is not the right fit.
If you want to build capacity the right way, it absolutely is.

We work with organizations across Illinois every day—and we see the same pattern:

Good missions. Strong community trust.
But no one ever explained how grants actually work.

Too many organizations waste time, energy, and money applying before they’re ready. This workshop exists to stop that cycle and help leaders make informed decisions before jumping in.

When organizations are better prepared, funding becomes more accessible—and more sustainable.

That’s good for everyone.