Women for Women awarded a record-breaking $70,000 in grants to three local nonprofits during its 18th Annual Grant Reception on Wednesday, May 13, recognizing organizations addressing some of central Illinois’ most pressing challenges facing women and children.
This year’s grants will support programs focused on childhood food insecurity, family support services, and care for children facing serious illness.
Since its founding in 2006, Women for Women members have built a permanent endowment fund at the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln that now exceeds $1.4 million, and the group has granted more than $700,000 throughout the region.
2026 Grant Recipients:
- Farmers, Bakers & Artists – $30,000
Funding will support the Menard County Family Collaborative that delivers free targeted programs for families and children, including afterschool programming, take-home kits to support motor skills and school readiness, food security, and support groups for caregivers.
- Hillsboro Health – $10,000
Funding will support the Summer Lunch Program, which provides free nutritional meals for children in the Hillsboro School District during the summer months with the purpose of alleviating childhood hunger.
- Journey Like June Foundation – $30,000
Funding will support the Sowing the Seeds of Hope program to enrich the lives of children with cancer and their families through programming that includes monthly art and music programs, virtual tutoring from local teachers for children undergoing treatment, and events to foster community among families.
“Women for Women continues to demonstrate the power of collective philanthropy,” said Stacy Reed, chief program officer for the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln. “These grants will help local organizations provide vital resources, encouragement, and opportunities for women, children, and families throughout central Illinois.”
Women for Women is a special initiative at the Community Foundation and aims to help members “build a legacy together” by pooling their annual contributions and creating a permanent resource for local programs that support women and children. Women for Women Steering Committee members are Pamela Frazier, Mary Beaumont, Katherine Cadagin, Kate Dunne, Lori Schlosser, Melissa Skinner-Liberman and Lisa Wichterman.
Local charities can visit the CFLL website and sign up to receive alerts when other funding opportunities are available throughout the year.