May 18, 2025 – Ten small Illinois nonprofits are receiving a combined $200,000 in grants through the Charitable Trust Stabilization Program, which is managed by State Treasurer Michael Frerichs’ office. Good Samaritan Inn in Decatur will receive $20,000 from the program.
“Throughout our state, small nonprofit organizations provide hot meals, job training, and other vital services to people who need a helping hand,” said Frerichs. “This good work benefits individuals, and it makes our communities better places to live and raise a family. I’m proud to support nonprofits through the Charitable Trust program.”
Charitable Trust grants help nonprofits fulfill their missions to serve people in need by providing housing, food, and workforce and economic development assistance. For the fall 2024 grant cycle, funds were awarded to nonprofits in two categories: organizations with food programs and organizations with workforce and economic development programs. The 10 grant recipients were selected from 110 applicants.
The Charitable Trust Stabilization Fund assists small nonprofits that have annual budgets of $1 million and at least one full-time employee. Money in the fund comes from fees that not-for-profit corporations pay when filing annual reports with the Illinois Secretary of State – and not from personal or property tax dollars.
The latest grant winners say the money will help them carry out their missions.
Here are the 10 Charitable Trust grant recipients from the fall 2024 grant cycle. Each awardee received the maximum grant amount of $20,000.
Christian Care in Rock Island
Donka Inc. in Wheaton
Interfaith Action of Evanston in Evanston
Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry Inc. in Aurora
The CABET Group Inc. in Chicago
The Firehouse Dream Inc. in Maywood
The Good Samaritan Inn in Decatur
The Night’s Shield in West Frankfort
An independent 11-member committee, which oversees the management and guidelines of the fund, selects the grant recipients. The maximum award amount is $20,000 for each organization. Grant applicants located in an area where pervasive poverty, unemployment and economic distress exist will be given special attention. Previous grant recipients are eligible to apply if the term of their grant has been complete for at least one calendar year.
Since being established in 2017, the Charitable Trust Stabilization Fund program has awarded 241 grants — totaling more than $4.8 million — to 204 nonprofit organizations. The program has impacted more than 100,000 people’s lives for the better.
