Often, especially at year-end, donors and Donor Advised Funds ask us “What do local charities need?”  We usually have good answers because we network with you all the time.  But sometimes we need a little more intel and want to help you kick-start your brain.

Therefore, we invite all nonprofits serving Grundy County (charities, social service agencies, churches, schools, libraries, villages, park districts, etc.) to complete this Wish List form.  

Please don’t be shy about dreaming big (new building, new program, additional staff) as well as small (furniture, paying electric bill, new copier, garden benches, money to help clients with un-met needs).  Even with all of the marketing, communications, and social media that we nonprofits do, it’s not often that we talk about our dreams and wishes – we’re so busy trying to provide the basics.

But over the years we’ve been able to tell one of your stories to a donor who responds with “Good.  I’ll donate to that.”  Years ago, a local agency needed air conditioning.  With a few “challenge” phone calls, we were able to gather the money they needed.  Another time we were able to pair a donor with the work of one charity to benefit the clients of a different charity.  We have many more examples - it happens often.

What’s in it for the Community Foundation of Grundy County?  It’s a project in direct response to a request from one of our Donor Advised Funds who doesn’t want to spend time doing their own reading and research.  So rather than limit it to one donor, let’s open it up to all nonprofits and all donors of all shapes and sizes.  We make no promises of the results, but we believe it will engage donors and potential donors.

At times philanthropy feels like it’s only for the wealthy, which we know is not true.  We know there are plenty of Grundy residents who would donate to something specific – if they knew what that something specific is.  This Wish List Project is an attempt to help donors better understand the nonprofit needs of Grundy County.

INSTRUCTIONS TO SUBMIT AN ITEM TO THE WISH LIST:

Nonprofits and local units of government (schools, libraries, fire districts, villages, police departments) are invited to add items to our community Nonprofit Wish List.  Like a bridal/baby registry, nonprofits enter items they need at their agencies and the public can view the Wish List and purchases items using their credit/debit card.

If you are a nonprofit serving Grundy County (IL) or local unit of government who wants to add items to the Wish List

Please first assemble:

• Organization
• Short Description
• Long Description (describe how this item will benefit Grundy County only)
• Amount requested
• Photo (File must be minimum size of 300 x 300 pixels.)
• Organization Website
• Contact Name, Email and Phone
• (optional) PDF document with additional information

Then click https://cfgrundycounty.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/request and scroll to your organization's name.  Click on your org's name and complete the form.

Once these fields have been completed, the grantee can click Next to review and submit their request.  Photo can be your org’s logo or can be a photo of the item you want to purchase (computer, printer, food, etc.).   PLEASE DO THIS ACTION FOR EACH ITEM YOU WANT FUNDING FOR.

If you do not see your nonprofit listed, we need to add you from the back end of the software, so please email us at [email protected] or [email protected]

Once you have submitted your item(s), we need to approve it on the back end before it goes public.  If you don’t see it within 24 hours, please email us.  You may be asked to edit your request if it does not benefit only Grundy County, Illinois.  Checks are mailed at the beginning of each month for donations received on your behalf in the previous month.

If you have questions, you can email us or call 815-941-0852

Thanks!