Lake Forest Garden Club Grant Guidelines
PURPOSE:
Lake Forest Garden Club (LFGC) is dedicated to the advancement of gardening, the promotion of horticultural knowledge, and the stimulation of community interest in conservation and civic improvement. Lake Forest Garden Club has a long history of supporting community initiatives, educational programs and projects with the proceeds from the Club’s fundraising activities. Through our community grant-making, the Club strives to partner with and support area organizations that have a similar purpose.
GRANT GUIDELINES:
In general, Lake Forest Garden Club supports a variety of projects and evaluates requests and eligibility of grant recipients that fall within the following guidelines:
Organizations that serve the following geographic areas, in priority order:
Lake Forest and Lake Bluff
Lake County, Illinois
The greater Chicago area
LFGC prefers to fund projects and organizations that are accessible to the public, including:
Environmental education programs
Conservation programs
Restoration of historic gardens and landscapes
Design services and/or planting materials for local public garden projects
Single year projects or programs are preferred.
Programs and projects that have strong, documented partnerships with other community organizations currently in place are encouraged.
Careful consideration is given to multi-year commitments so as to avoid financially encumbering future Boards.
LFGC prefers to support projects where its funding will make a significant impact on the proposed project.
LFGC does not provide funding for:
General operations or salaries
Marketing or promotional requests, the production of collateral materials
Event sponsorship of any kind
Seed money or start-up programs
Grant applications are due on time. Late submissions will not be accepted during that calendar year.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Application: If you believe your nonprofit organization program aligns with Lake Forest Garden Club mission and guidelines, please prepare and submit an application, consisting of:
Letter of Inquiry (LOI) or Cover Letter
Lake Forest Garden Club Grant Request Form (please find form below)
Detailed financial information, as specified on the Grant Request Form
Supporting documentation and materials
Due Date: Grant applications and supporting documentation are due to the Treasurer, Lake Forest Garden Club by October 1. Incomplete Grant Requests or requests submitted after October 1 will not be accepted or considered during that calendar year.
Applications containing all of the above may be mailed or emailed:
Lake Forest Garden Club e-mail: treasurer@lakeforestgc.org
Attention: Treasurer
P.O. Box 497
Lake Forest, IL 60045
Review Timeline: Requests will be reviewed by the Club’s Grant Committee, and voted on by Lake Forest Garden Club’s Board of Directors at its November meeting. If approved, funds will be awarded before the calendar year end.
Thank you for your request to Lake Forest Garden Club and your work to advance gardening, the promotion of horticultural knowledge, and the stimulation of community interest in conservation and civic improvement.