Community Foundation For The Land Of Lincoln Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $7.9 million (2024 expenses, which primarily consist of grants)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 6-8 weeks (varies by program)
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $10,000 (competitive programs)
• Geographic Focus: 8 counties in central Illinois (Sangamon, Cass, Christian, Logan, Macoupin, Menard, Morgan, Montgomery)

Contact Details

Address: 205 South Fifth Street, Suite 530, Springfield, Illinois 62701
Phone: (217) 789-4431
Fax: (217) 789-4635
Email: info@cfll.org
Website: https://cfll.org
Grants Portal: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=cfllgrants

Overview

The Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln was founded in 1924 as the Sangamon County Foundation by three Springfield banks and reorganized as a community foundation in 2002. The foundation was renamed in 2011 to reflect its expanded eight-county service area. With over $100 million in total assets (2024) and more than 300 charitable funds, the foundation has distributed over $31.7 million in grants throughout its history. The organization earned a 4/4 Star rating (97%) from Charity Navigator and is accredited by the Council on Foundations. In 2024, the foundation celebrated its centennial anniversary by awarding $100,000 in grants to the eight county fairs in its service area plus the Illinois State Fair, demonstrating its commitment to celebrating community philanthropy.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Community Grants Program: Up to $10,000 per grant (previously $5,000) - Accepts funding requests for any charitable focus area within the eight-county service area. Multiple awards made annually. Applications accepted through online portal.
• Access to Recreation Endowment: Amounts vary - Supports accessible recreation programs for people with disabilities that are also available to the general public. Seeks creative programmatic activities and events.
• Historic Preservation Fund: Up to $5,000 per grant - Supports physical improvement of structures and/or promotes historic preservation in Springfield, Illinois.
• Strategic Response Grants: Amounts vary - Addresses specific community needs (e.g., Afterschool Support initiatives).
• King's Daughters Organization Fund: Amounts vary - Supports senior programs in Sangamon County.
• Women's Fund: Amounts vary - Supports programs benefiting women and children.

Priority Areas

The foundation accepts applications across all charitable focus areas, including:

• Social services (food assistance, youth programs, veterans support)
• Education (school programs, arts education)
• Health and wellness (disability services, mental health, medical support)
• Community development (cultural initiatives, historic preservation)
• Recreation access for people with disabilities

What They Don't Fund

• Proposals that do not serve residents within the eight-county service area
• Religious activities (faith-based organizations may apply, but proposals must benefit all regardless of religion and be for non-religious services)
• Projects that fall within a school's normal budget funding (school proposals must be for projects exceeding budget)

Governance and Leadership

Leadership Team

• John Stremsterfer, President and CEO
• Stacy Reed, Chief Program Officer
• Sarah Tapscott, Vice President of Development
• Betsy Weidner, Chief Financial Officer
• Kimberly Eck, Philanthropic Administrator
• Samuel Moore, Accounting and Finance Associate
• Marcia Short, Executive Assistant

Board of Directors

The Board consists of twelve members representing community and business leaders with long histories of volunteerism and philanthropic support.

Leadership Quotes

John Stremsterfer on celebrating philanthropy: "We are awarding $10,000 to each of the eight county fairs in our region and a $20,000 grant to the Illinois State Fair as a way to celebrate philanthropy and help festivals that our communities enjoy every year."

On thoughtful estate planning: "The thoughtful process the Utegs took in their estate planning is to be admired. They focused on areas of interest and how to best capitalize the gift to the fullest extent."

During the COVID-19 pandemic: "People just want to help their fellow man."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

1. Visit the Grants Portal at https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=cfllgrants
2. Create an account or log in to an existing account
3. Complete the online application 4-6 weeks before program deadlines
4. Submit all requested items (incomplete applications will NOT be considered)
5. A step-by-step tutorial is available to guide applicants through the process

Eligibility Requirements

• Registered 501(c)(3) charitable organizations
• Faith-based organizations (for non-religious services benefiting all)
• Public or private schools (for projects exceeding budget funding)
• Government entities or municipalities (some may be eligible)

Decision Timeline

• Applications open: 4-6 weeks before deadlines
• Review period: 6-8 weeks after deadline (varies by program)
• Notification: Mid-summer or early fall for annual competitive grants
• Example timelines:
  • July deadline → September notification
  • December deadline → mid-January notification

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. In 2025, the Community Grants Program awarded over $300,000 to 65 charitable programs from 35 donor-advised funds, demonstrating significant grantmaking activity.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not explicitly stated in publicly available materials. Organizations should contact the foundation directly at info@cfll.org or (217) 789-4431 for guidance on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Based on analysis of recent grant awards and foundation priorities:

Complete Applications Are Essential: The foundation explicitly states that "proposals that do not contain all requested items, if applicable, will NOT be considered." Ensure every required element is included.

Geographic Alignment: Projects must clearly demonstrate they serve residents within the eight-county service area (Sangamon, Cass, Christian, Logan, Macoupin, Menard, Morgan, Montgomery).

Recent Successful Projects Include:

• Food assistance programs (multiple organizations funded)
• Youth development programs (Girls on the Run, Compass for Kids)
• Veterans support (Central Illinois Veterans Commission)
• School enrichment programs (Blessed Sacrament School, St. Patrick Catholic School)
• Arts education (Springfield Art Association, Scholastic Art Awards)
• Health and disability services (Special Olympics, Sparc, SIU School of Medicine Alzheimer's programs)
• Cultural initiatives (Illinois State Museum, Springfield Area Arts Council)

Demonstrate Community Impact: Successful applications show clear, measurable benefits to local communities and align with addressing genuine local needs across diverse sectors.

Match Fund Criteria: Each fund has specific focus areas - carefully review which fund aligns with your project. The Community Grants Program is the most flexible, accepting "any charitable focus area."

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Completeness is critical: Incomplete applications are automatically disqualified, so carefully review all requirements before submitting
• Geographic focus matters: Your project must serve one or more of the eight central Illinois counties in the foundation's service area
• Flexible funding available: The Community Grants Program accepts proposals for any charitable purpose, making it accessible to diverse organizations
• Multiple opportunities: With various specialized funds (women's, seniors, historic preservation, recreation access), organizations may find multiple relevant funding streams
• Centennial milestone: The foundation is celebrating 100 years of philanthropy, demonstrating long-term commitment to the region
• Strong financial position: With over $100 million in assets and a 4-star Charity Navigator rating, the foundation is well-established and financially stable
• Start early: Applications open 4-6 weeks before deadlines; use this time to prepare thoroughly and utilize the online tutorial

References

1. Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln official website. https://cfll.org. Accessed January 7, 2026.
2. Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln - Grant Deadlines & Applications. https://cfll.org/Grants-Scholarships/Grant-Deadlines-Applications. Accessed January 7, 2026.
3. Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln - Staff. https://cfll.org/About/Staff. Accessed January 7, 2026.
4. Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln - About Us. https://cfll.org/About/About-Us. Accessed January 7, 2026.
5. Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln - Recent Grants. https://cfll.org/Grants-Scholarships/Recent-Grants/Community-Grants-Program. Accessed January 7, 2026.
6. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Community Foundation For The Land Of Lincoln Inc. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/204191391. Accessed January 7, 2026.
7. Charity Navigator - Rating for Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln Inc. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/204191391. Accessed January 7, 2026.
8. "Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln celebrates a century of philanthropy." New Herald News. https://newherald.news/community-foundation-for-the-land-of-lincoln-celebrates-a-century-of-philan-p28580-103.htm. Accessed January 7, 2026.
9. "Community Foundation President & CEO John G. Stremsterfer." Rotary Club of Springfield. https://spirotary.org/stories/community-foundation-president-ceo-john-g-stremsterfer-march-25-2019. Accessed January 7, 2026.
10. "New Effort To Help Springfield Area Nonprofits." NPR Illinois. https://www.nprillinois.org/springfield/2020-03-27/new-effort-to-help-springfield-area-nonprofits. Accessed January 7, 2026.