Community Memorial Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $5.4 million
Success Rate: Not publicly available
Decision Time: Not publicly available
Grant Range: Not publicly specified
Geographic Focus: 27 communities in western suburbs of Chicago

Contact Details

Website: cmfdn.org
Phone: 630-654-4729
Email: administration@cmfdn.org
Address: 15 Spinning Wheel Road, Ste. 326, Hinsdale, IL 60521

Overview

Community Memorial Foundation is a private foundation established in 1995 with a vision of "building the healthiest region in the country together." With total assets exceeding $102 million and having awarded over $93 million to date, the foundation focuses on improving the health of those living and working in the western suburbs of Chicago. The foundation serves 27 specific communities in the region and positions itself as "changemakers" rather than just grantmakers, emphasizing partnership and collaborative approaches to community wellness. Recently appointed President and CEO Charlie Corrigan leads the organization's strategic initiatives.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Regional Health and Human Services Agenda - Supporting comprehensive health initiatives
Responsive Grants Program - Addressing emerging community needs
Building Organizational Effectiveness Program - Strengthening nonprofit capacity

Priority Areas

Healthcare access and equity
Health equity initiatives
Food access and security
Housing stability
Public safety
Community wellness

What They Don't Fund

[Specific exclusions not available from public sources]

Governance and Leadership

Key Leadership:

President/CEO: Charlie Corrigan (recently appointed)
Former President/CEO: Greg Di Domenico
Board Chair: Dr. Bonny Chen
Vice Chair: Bradly Bloom
Treasurer: Keith Watson

Senior Staff:

Director of Administration: Lisa M Derezenski
Program Director: Nanette Silva

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Based on available information, the foundation operates multiple grant programs including a Responsive Grants Program and Building Organizational Effectiveness Program. However, specific application portals, forms, and detailed submission requirements are not publicly detailed on accessible pages. Organizations interested in funding should contact the foundation directly at administration@cmfdn.org or 630-654-4729 for current application guidelines.

Decision Timeline

[Specific timelines not publicly available - contact foundation for details]

Success Rates

[Application success rates not publicly available]

Reapplication Policy

[Reapplication policies not publicly documented]

Application Success Factors

The foundation emphasizes:

Partnership approach: They seek to be "changemakers" working collaboratively with grantees
Capacity building: Through their Building Organizational Effectiveness Program and Leadership Institute, they value organizational development
Racial equity focus: The foundation offers workshops on racial equity, indicating this is a priority consideration
Strategic leadership: They provide training in strategic leadership and financial management, suggesting they value well-managed organizations
Community Health Worker initiative: Organizations aligned with community-based health approaches may find stronger alignment

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

The foundation has substantial assets ($102M+) and makes significant annual grants ($5.4M in recent filing)
They serve a specific geographic area of 27 communities in Chicago's western suburbs - ensure your organization serves this region
Health equity and addressing social determinants of health appear central to their mission
They offer capacity-building support beyond just funding, including leadership development and organizational effectiveness programs
Direct contact with the foundation is likely necessary as detailed application information is not readily available online
The foundation takes a partnership approach, seeking to be "changemakers" alongside their grantees
Consider participating in their workshops and Leadership Institute to build relationships before applying

References

Community Memorial Foundation Official Website (cmfdn.org) - Accessed December 2024
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Community Memorial Foundation Form 990 (2024 filing) - Accessed December 2024
CauseIQ Organization Profile - Community Memorial Foundation financial data - Accessed December 2024