Funding Criteria for All Grants
-- Seed Fund
-- Emergency Fund
-- Technical Assistance Fund
-- Youth Fund for Social Change
-- The Fire This Time Fund
Grantmaking Process
FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• Does Crossroads support social service organizations?

• What if my group is not based in Chicago?

• Can local chapters of national organizations apply?

• Does Crossroads have grant programs for individuals?

• Do I have to use Crossroads' forms?

• how do I know if my organization fits Crossroads’ budgetary restrictions?

• What if my organization does not have 501(c)(3) status?

• What if the application deadline falls on a weekend or holiday?

• Can I send my application through regular mail?

Does Crossroads support social service organizations?

Crossroads supports social services when linked with activism, when there is a component of social change work within the organization. Social change organizing is discussed in various parts of this website. Try visiting our funding criteria & priorities page for Crossroads’ social change funding criteria. Also check out our recent grantees to see what types of groups we typically fund.

Crossroads supports work rooted in communities in the Chicago metropolitan area, including Northwestern Indiana. If your work would fit into Crossroads’ social change funding guidelines, but you are located in another area of the United States or Puerto Rico, check out the Funding Exchange grant programs (www.fex.org, then click on "grantmaking programs").  From this site you can also access links to our Funding Exchange sister funds. Our resources page also lists other funders of social change work.

Yes, when the chapter has a strong base in Chicago area communities, and an autonomous fundraising strategy (is not solely dependent on the national group for funding).

No, Crossroads supports non-profit, community-based work.

You may create your own Cover Sheet, Budget Form or Progress Report Form as long as all the information we request is included.

We look at an organization’s previous year’s actual expenses to determine its fit with our budgetary guidelines.

For example, the Seed Fund is for organizations with budgets under $300,000.

• If your organization’s planned budget for the current fiscal year is $310,000...
• but your last fiscal year’s actual expenses were $285,500
• – you would fit.

Crossroads Fund supports non-profit organizations, including those that do not have 501(c)3 status. Fiscal sponsorship for those organizations without tax-exempt status is recommended but not required. An organizational bank account is required for those groups not using a fiscal sponsor.

If the deadline falls on a weekend, applications are due on the following Monday. If the deadline falls on a holiday, applications are generally due on the following business day, but call the office at 773/227-7676 to make sure.

Yes, however you should make sure that your application is postmarked by the due date. If you plan on mailing your application on the due date, we suggest that you take it in to the post office to make sure that it’s postmarked with the correct date.