Frequently Asked Questions What is a supporting organization? A Supporting Organization is 501(c)(3) that qualifies as a public charity because it supports one or more tax exempt organizations, usually other 501(c)(3) public charities. A Type III Supporting Organization may be loosely affiliated with the non-profit it supports, typically through the supported organization’s appointment of one of the supporting organization’s board members. Although your organization may not be a Type III Supporting Organization, we need to confirm how your organization qualifies as a public charity under the Internal Revenue Code. The easiest way to determine this status is through your IRS determination letter, which should confirm your tax exempt status under 501(c)(3), but should also indicate the section of the Internal Revenue Code under which you qualify for treatment as a public charity. You may need to consult with your tax advisor or accountant if you are unclear with the tax exempt status of your organization. Do you have deadlines? No, we do not have deadlines. Applications are accepted throughout the year and are reviewed in the order they are received. How long is the review process? You should get a response from us 3 to 4 months from when the application is received. Do you fund organizations outside the state of Illinois? Although grants may be made to organizations outside the state of Illinois, preference will generally be given to applicants from Illinois. Please call us at 847-330-1020 if you have any questions. Do you require a letter of inquiry? No. Please review our grants list and guidelines carefully and then if you wish to apply, return a total of five copies of the completed application and five copies of all attachments. Why do you ask for five copies of the application and five copies of all attachments? This is because applications are forwarded to our Grant Review Committee and each member needs a copy of the complete proposal.