Apply for a Grant

Grantmaking Guidelines

The mission of the Veterans Program is to create welcoming and inclusive communities for those who served and their families where each is able to reach their maximum potential.

We seek to fulfill our mission through a proactive grant making strategy by which grantees are solicited through a request for proposals (RFP) process. At the present time, there is no active RFP. Please check back for updated information.

Please note: The Foundation only funds 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, not individuals. If you are a veteran looking for direct assistance in transitioning into civilian life, we recommend contacting Illinois Joining Forces, a network of Illinois organizations ready to connect you to the right resources.

Our current funding is directed in the following ways:

Navigation and Coordinated Systems of Care in Illinois Initiative
As veterans return to the state from deployment, their first priority is returning back to their families and home communities. Identifying barriers to reintegration, seeking help and finding resources is typically not their first inclination. When veterans are in a position to seek help, there is no system for guiding them toward appropriate and trustworthy resources. To address this need for navigation, the Veterans Program in partnership with the Illinois National Guard is piloting a peer to peer model to assist veterans in finding pathways to information, services and connection with other veterans.

Communities must be prepared to respond to the needs of veterans and their families when they do seek help and in a way that is coordinated and seamless to the veteran. Lessons learned from the Employment Initiative will help shape next steps toward expansion of a network of service providers working in collaboration to meet the needs of veterans.

Application Procedures

Before submitting a proposal, organizations must submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) to the McCormick Foundation via our online Grant Request System.

EXISTING USERS will use an existing McCormick Foundation Grant Request login and password. This is the same login and password used to complete year-end grant reports.

NEW USERS will need to create an account by entering an email address and creating a password.

1. The application includes questions about the organization, the proposed project, need, budget, timeline and impact. It also addresses how the program fits into the Veterans Program's guidelines.
2. The 2018 grant cycle is now closed. The LOI application process will reopen in January 2019. 
3. Once your application has been received, you will receive a confirming email. Program staff will contact you via phone or email should we require more information about your application. If your project is selected for funding consideration, we will request a full proposal.

If you have questions about the application process, contact Emanuel Johnson, Program Officer.