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Grand Victoria Foundation

Annual Giving
$9.0M
Grant Range
Up to $0.0M
Decision Time
1mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $9 million
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: 30 days for Rapid Response grants
  • Grant Range: Up to $25,000 (Rapid Response)
  • Geographic Focus: Illinois (statewide)

Contact Details

Overview

Founded in 1996, Grand Victoria Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation with total assets of approximately $181 million and annual charitable disbursements of $9 million. The foundation's mission is to empower communities to ensure Illinois is a great place to live and work, with a particular emphasis on racial justice and equity. Their vision is "a just and vibrant Illinois rooted in abundant health, wealth, and joy, where Black people and all communities can flourish." The foundation has evolved to focus specifically on catalyzing racial justice in Illinois by supporting Black voices, power, and community aspirations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Rapid Response Grants: Up to $25,000

  • Six-month grant terms
  • Rolling application basis until funds exhausted
  • Focus on emergency response and crisis management
  • Application through online grant portal

Core Program Areas:

  • Building Community Power: Supporting grassroots organizing and community-led initiatives
  • Amplifying Black Voices: Centering Black leadership and perspectives
  • Leadership & Growth: Developing organizational capacity
  • Vital Lands Illinois: Supporting natural landscape conservation
  • Education: Creating meaningful educational experiences
  • Economy: Advancing economic opportunities and equity
  • Environment: Promoting conservation with diverse perspectives

Priority Areas

  • Racial justice and equity initiatives
  • Black-led organizations and initiatives
  • Community organizing and power building
  • Emergency response to urgent community needs
  • Systems change work
  • Organizations with budgets under $1 million
  • County, regional, or statewide impact initiatives

What They Don't Fund

  • Individuals
  • Political campaigns or lobbying
  • Religious purposes or sectarian activities
  • Governmental entities
  • Existing programs (for Rapid Response)
  • Ongoing organizational support (for Rapid Response)
  • Capital improvements or equipment
  • Fundraising events
  • Budget shortfalls or debt reduction

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership:

  • Sharon Bush - President/Executive Director ($267,473 compensation)
  • Neeta Boddapati - VP, Finance and Administration ($160,608 compensation)
  • Landon Revell Williams - Communications Director ($155,160 compensation)

The foundation operates as a private grantmaking foundation with a commitment to racial equity and community empowerment as core values in their governance approach.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

  • Applications accepted through online grant portal
  • Rapid Response applications currently open for FY2026
  • Rolling basis review until funds are exhausted
  • Must be 501(c)(3) public charity or have fiscal sponsor
  • Priority given to organizations with budgets under $1 million

Decision Timeline

  • Rapid Response: Funds processed within 30 days if approved
  • 30-day post-grant verbal report required for Rapid Response grants
  • Other programs: Timeline not specified

Success Rates

Specific success rates not publicly available. The foundation distributed $9,005,484 in charitable disbursements in 2024.

Reapplication Policy

For Rapid Response grants: Cannot reapply until 12 months after award date. Policy for other programs not specified.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated priorities and requirements:

  • Clearly demonstrate advancement of racial equity in your proposal
  • Articulate systems change approach rather than just programmatic interventions
  • Show county, regional, or statewide impact potential
  • For organizations with budgets under $1 million, emphasize this in application
  • Address urgent community needs with time-sensitive solutions
  • Center Black voices and leadership in project design and implementation
  • Demonstrate community-led approaches and grassroots organizing strategies

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Focus explicitly on racial justice and equity - this is central to their mission
  • Priority given to smaller organizations (under $1 million budget)
  • Rapid Response grants offer quick turnaround (30 days) for urgent needs
  • Must demonstrate systems change approach, not just service delivery
  • Geographic scope should be county-level or broader within Illinois
  • Strong emphasis on supporting Black-led initiatives and centering Black community aspirations
  • Rolling application process for Rapid Response means applying early is advantageous

References

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