For Grant Seekers

Land, Health, Community

Land, Health, Community (LHC) is the Foundation’s primary and largest grantmaking program and reflects the Lumpkin family's historic connection and commitment to the community. A minimum of 50 percent of its annual grantmaking budget is spent on projects in East Central Illinois. Through Land, Health, Community we work toward a long-term vision of holistically healthy communities. 

We make grants in East Central Illinois that reflect our vision:

  • Our community has a strong local food system and agricultural economy, resilient businesses, and amenities that attract new businesses and retain local talent. We are prosperous.
  • Our community is physically active, values healthy eating, and prioritizes overall wellbeing. We are mentally well and physically fit.
  • Our community has strong leadership and the capacity for collaboration. We are socially engaged.
  • Our community works to conserve, protect and preserve the natural environment. We value the natural beauty of the area.

The following sample forms should help you know what is needed for the process.

Foundation Universal Letter of Inquiry       Foundation Universal Application

All LOIs and Applications are accepted online only. Scroll to the bottom of this page to view past grantees.

Key Dates

Letters of Inquiry Due: August 2, 2024.

Applications Invited: August 9, 2024

Pre-submissions for Review Due: August 30, 2024

Applications Due: September 6, 2024

Decision Notification: October 7, 2024

Mental Health

We have now expanded the program's focus to include efforts that contribute to mental wellness through individual and community engagement with the natural environment. Researchers have posited that “contact with nature is associated with increases in happiness, subjective well-being, positive affect, positive social interactions and a sense of meaning and purpose in life, as well as decreases in mental distress.” Source: https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/04/nurtured-nature.

Specifically, we aim to fund programs that:

  • Demonstrate and promote a connection between engagement with nature and positive mental health outcomes;
  • Create opportunities for youth and young adults to disengage from technology and engage in outdoor programs and activities designed to improve their mental wellness;
  • Support mental health practitioners by increasing opportunities for self-care or personal renewal;
  • Provide opportunities for those impacted by trauma (i.e., foster youth) to engage in nature-based healing activities.

While the list above is not exhaustive, it is representative of our overarching belief that sustained, meaningful engagement with nature can result in positive mental health outcomes for all.

Geographic Areas of Interest

We encourage applicants from organizations across East Central Illinois. We give preference to rural organizations and those operating in Coles and the surrounding counties. We are especially interested in programs or projects that connect communities.

Focus of Support

Successful proposals will represent a synergy of as many of the following aims as possible: 

  • Promote personal health through widespread availability and consumption of healthy, affordable food;
  • Support mental wellness through individual and community engagement with the natural environment;
  • Grow the local agricultural economy, sustaining and creating new viable farm and farm-related businesses;
  • Develop, promote and scale innovative green practices that add productive value to farms while protecting the land for future generations; and,
  • Encourage community engagement and collaboration, policy development and research around agriculture and rural development.

Please direct inquiries on the Land, Health, Community to:

Christina Krost

Program Officer
Phone: 217-234-2076

2523040
Amount Donated
91
Grants Awarded

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Land, Health, Community Grantees

  • Land, Health, CommunityFall2023

    Prairie Flower Montessori School

    to support the construction of raised beds for outdoor activities and nature-based learning to empower students with practical knowledge of sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship.

    View Prairie Flower Montessori School's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunityFall2023

    Sola Gratia Farm

    to help the organization through a period of growth that includes making investments in administrative staff and software for financial, donor, and CSA management as well as facilitating the expansion of the farm onto new land.

    View Sola Gratia Farm's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunityFall2023

    Fresh Taste - Chicago Regional Food System Fund (Fiscal Sponsor: Forefront)

    continuing to support the resilience of agricultural producers and organizations working toward food system resilience through the Chicago Region Food System Fund operated by the Fresh Taste Initiative.

    View Fresh Taste - Chicago Regional Food System Fund (Fiscal Sponsor: Forefront)'s Website
  • Land, Health, CommunityFall2023

    Vermilion Association for Special Education

    for staff time and the purchase of greenhouse supplies to teach the students skills in problem-solving, behavior management, coping strategies, and self-regulation through horticultural therapy techniques.

    View Vermilion Association for Special Education's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunityFall2023

    Lincoln Log Cabin Foundation

    for the construction of a natural playscape at the Lincoln Log Cabin site that will provide children with the opportunity to experience nature and stimulate creativity and imagination, promote environmental responsibility and physical activity, while also offering lessons on local history and conservation.

    View Lincoln Log Cabin Foundation's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunityFall2023

    Sierra Club Foundation

    for continued support of the ‘Partners for Clean Water Campaign’ to leverage public and stakeholder involvement in plans for publicly owned wastewater treatment facilities to reduce nutrient pollution and improve the water quality in five East Central Illinois watersheds.

    View Sierra Club Foundation's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunityFall2023

    Empowerment Opportunity Center

    to support the addition of a 46’ x 46’ labyrinth to the facility’s interactive garden walk directly north of the building. The area provides gardening opportunities, balancing during movement, and musical experiences while walking in the outdoor environment.

    View Empowerment Opportunity Center's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunityFall2023

    Prairie Rivers Network

    to support the organization’s continued growth and development in their work with a diverse group of partners to foster land management practices and policies that protect the land, air, water, and biodiversity of Illinois while educating local and state decisionmakers and regulators on conservation issues.

    View Prairie Rivers Network's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunityFall2023

    Illinois Stewardship Alliance

    to support the organization’s goals to identify, recruit, and train farmers to engage with and participate in member caucuses and coalitions, work closely with policymakers and their staff, communicate stories, and produce reports on food system issues in Illinois.

    View Illinois Stewardship Alliance's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunityFall2023

    Buckeye Friends School (fiscal sponsor, Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation)

    toward funding a revitalized “Garden the Great” program to teach students how to not only care for the land and grow their own food, but also how to connect with the community through selling excess produce at farmers markets and to local restaurants.

    View Buckeye Friends School (fiscal sponsor, Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation)'s Website
  • Land, Health, CommunityFall2023

    Decatur Parks Foundation

    to utilize the sound system at the Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater to supplement the Park District’s free summer yoga series, Moonlight Yoga. The monthly event is attended by residents of Decatur and Macon Counties to strengthen muscles, boost cardiovascular health, and reduce stress.

    View Decatur Parks Foundation's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunityFall2023

    Illinois Environmental Council Education Fund

    for general operations support to continue their work to educate lawmakers and introduce them to real businesses and farmers in the sustainable, local food movement, with a focus on leaders in East Central Illinois, as well as building the ‘Illinois is Beautiful’ coalition to protect conservation spaces.

    View Illinois Environmental Council Education Fund's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunityFall2023

    UIUC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Economics

    for the development of a Policy Design Lab at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) that applies research, data, and computational resources to add context and perspective to challenging public policy matters while also seeking innovation and creativity in policy design.

    View UIUC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Economics's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunityFall2023

    Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting

    for general operating funds to produce in-depth stories focused on water agriculture, and environmental issues in partnership with the University of Missouri’s Mississippi River Ag and Water Desk.

    View Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunityFall2023

    Farmworker & Landscaper Advocacy Project (FLAP)

    to bring culturally sensitive advocacy, community outreach, education, social, and official services to low-income Latine immigrant laborers and their families living and working in the food supply chain in East Central Illinois.

    View Farmworker & Landscaper Advocacy Project (FLAP)'s Website
  • Land, Health, CommunityFall2023

    Mid-Illinois Big Brothers Big Sisters

    to help recruit, background check, train, and support ten community-based mentoring relationships for at-risk youth from Nov. 2023-Oct. 2024.

    View Mid-Illinois Big Brothers Big Sisters's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunityFall2023

    Coles County Mental Health Association (LifeLinks)

    to provide the organization’s employees addressing the ongoing and growing need for mental health care in Coles County with a day-long wellness retreat to reconnect with themselves and nature.

    View Coles County Mental Health Association (LifeLinks)'s Website
  • Land, Health, CommunityFall2023

    The Land Connection

    to fund programs that include: increasing farmer knowledge on sustainable farming practices, growing beginner farm businesses, providing the community access to healthy, locally grown foods, and expanding public awareness of the importance of a local food system.

    View The Land Connection's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunityFall2023

    Mattoon CUSD #2 – Mattoon High School

    to expand the school’s courtyard space into an outdoor hands-on learning environment for the agriculture department and area Future Farmers of America members.

    View Mattoon CUSD #2 – Mattoon High School's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunitySpring2023

    The Land Connection

    to fund ongoing programs that increase farmer knowledge on sustainable farming practices; grow beginner farm businesses; provide the community access to healthy, locally grown foods; and expand public awareness of the importance of a local food system.

    View The Land Connection's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunitySpring2023

    Faith in Place

    to fund operating expenses in FIP's work with faith congregations across East Central Illinois in adopting healthy, sustainable, and money-saving practices.

    View Faith in Place's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunitySpring2023

    Fresh Taste (Fiscal Sponsor: Forefront)

    to serve as a catalyst, rather than an implementing organization, to systemically change the way food is produced and consumed in the Chicago region promoting healthy land, healthy people, and healthy communities.

    View Fresh Taste (Fiscal Sponsor: Forefront)'s Website
  • Land, Health, CommunityFall2022

    Izaak Walton League of America

    To build a network of farmland owners in East Central Illinois working together to speed the adoption of soil health practices shown to conserve soil and water, reduce polluted runoff, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, store carbon in the soil, reduce farm input costs, and make farmland more resilient to flooding and drought. The funds will support network education through a series of six online and in-person workshops on soil health and resources for conservation planning as well as technical and financial assistance.

    View Izaak Walton League of America's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunityFall2022

    Illinois Stewardship Alliance

    To support staff in identifying, recruiting, and training farmers to engage in ISA work through their member-only caucuses, participate in coalitions working with policymakers and their staff, communicate stories and produce reports on food system issues, and provide opportunities for engagement online and in-person.

    View Illinois Stewardship Alliance's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunityFall2022

    Sola Gratia Farm

    For administrative staff and customer relationship management (CRM) software to improve efficiency and effective communication with partners, members, volunteers, and donors. The additional staff will allow the Director and support staff to focus on other areas of growth and development identified in their Strategic Plan.

    View Sola Gratia Farm's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunityFall2022

    Forefront - Fresh Taste

    To contribute to the pooled funding of the Illinois Regenerative Agriculture Initiative (IRAI) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) to generate research into regenerative agriculture and build new collaborative partnerships engaging stakeholder and academic communities in sustained two-way dialogs about research and education, and challenges to adoption and measuring impact.

    View Forefront - Fresh Taste's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunityFall2022

    American Farmland Trust

    To support the outreach efforts of American Farmland Trust (AFT) to local landowner, nonprofit, and farmer champions of farmland protection in Sangamon, Champaign, and Coles Counties. AFT will offer a farmland transition workshop to complement the engagement and capacity-building for permanent farmland protection in the region by engaging landowners in the importance of planning for the future of their land.

    View American Farmland Trust's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunityFall2022

    Prairie Rivers Network

    To support the continued growth and development of the IDEA Farm Network (IFN), a farmer-led learning community that is rooted in East Central Illinois, plus two annual gatherings for the ReGenerate Illinois (RI) Network and food system related projects.

    View Prairie Rivers Network's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunityFall2022

    The Land Connection

    For general operating support for their project, Increasing Capacity to Build Strong and Resilient Local Food Systems. The project is designed to increase farmer knowledge on building and growing sustainable farming businesses to provide the local community with access to healthy, locally grown and raised foods. The project also aims to increase public awareness of the importance of a strong, resilient, local food system by increasing the number of programs and events offered to the general public.

    View The Land Connection's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunityFall2022

    Friends of Lake Shelbyville

    To fund the creation and activities of the Lake Shelbyville Youth Ambassador program, a monthly series of hands-on habitat and recreation projects for area youth that will enhance the local community's use of project lands to enjoy the outdoors and subsequently increase fitness and enjoyment of nature. The projects will also instill in the participants a sense of pride and ownership in public lands and lead to an increased interest in natural resource management careers.

    View Friends of Lake Shelbyville's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunityFall2022

    Charleston High School - Charleston Community School District #1

    To support the newly constructed, student-run Trojan Greenhouse through the purchase of plant plugs, greenhouse tools, and garden equipment. Charleston High School horticulture students will grow spring annuals and garden crops to help beautify the landscapes within the Charleston-area community and provide access to affordable garden crops for local gardens.

    View Charleston High School - Charleston Community School District #1's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunityFall2022

    University of Illinois Extension

    To cover the cost of meat processing for the East Central Illinois Deer Donation program, an effort to provide hunter-donated venison to low-income and food insecure families in Clay, Coles, Cumberland, DeWitt, Douglas, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper, Macon, Moultrie, Piatt, and Shelby Counties.

    View University of Illinois Extension's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunityFall2022

    Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting

    To produce in-depth stories focused on agriculture, climate change and water, including data analysis of publicly available federal and state data, reports, graphics, and other data visualizations. The results will be shared through their collaborative network and media partners to inform and educate the communities, public officials, advocates, and critics who may have the resources to influence constructive change.

    View Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunityFall2022

    Champaign County Environmental Stewards

    For the purchase and installation of a mechanical lift system to aid in the collection of heavy food scrap waste containers for the Commercial Food Scrap for Composting Pilot Project in Urbana, IL. The additional equipment will improve operator safety and allow the waste collector to expand the collection route to include additional restaurants and businesses.

    View Champaign County Environmental Stewards's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunitySpring2022

    Faith In Place

    To continue the “Connecting Communities for Faith Environmental Leadership and Collaboration” project - building on significant successes in 2018-2021 to engage East Central Illinois (ECI) people of faith to help protect the environment; strengthen grassroots leadership capacity; and increase connections among ECI communities in five program areas: sustainable food & land use; energy & climate change; water preservation; advocacy; youth leadership.

    View Faith In Place's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunitySpring2022

    Fresh Taste - Illinois Regenerative Agriculture Initiative (Fiscal Sponsor: Forefront)

    To support the study of regenerative agriculture to advance productivity, profitability, and environmental health by actionable research, designed and conducted collaboratively with stakeholders, at the interface of agronomy, crop science, ecology, computer science, economics, and social dimensions.

    View Fresh Taste - Illinois Regenerative Agriculture Initiative (Fiscal Sponsor: Forefront)'s Website
  • Land, Health, CommunitySpring2022

    Elevate CICC, Inc.

    To provide funding for the Regional Growth Initiative, development of partnerships across the rural communities of East Central Illinois and the nation to work collaboratively to cultivate entrepreneurial and leadership skills in area youth and citizens.

    View Elevate CICC, Inc.'s Website
  • Land, Health, CommunitySpring2022

    Eastern Illinois University Office of Civic Engagement and Volunteerism

    To support the EIU Campus Food Pantry in offering milk, eggs, bread, and fresh produce to compliment the nonperishable items meeting student hunger and food insecurity needs.

    View Eastern Illinois University Office of Civic Engagement and Volunteerism's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunitySpring2022

    Illinois Environmental Council Education Fund (IECEF)

    To fund the general operations of IECEF to increase their work on sustainable agriculture and conservation in East Central Illinois by promoting policies that conserve natural areas and educating decision makers through hands-on experiences with conservation areas in their districts.

    View Illinois Environmental Council Education Fund (IECEF)'s Website
  • Land, Health, CommunitySpring2022

    Trail Recreation Effingham County

    To fund the TREC Phase VI Project, including the development of a nature park on TREC owned property, clearing brush for the trails, and construction of elevated walkways and pipe culverts to cross streams and waterways with access to sandbars along the Little Wabash River.

    View Trail Recreation Effingham County's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunitySpring2022

    Farmworker & Landscaper Advocacy Project (FLAP)

    To conduct community outreach and labor rights education in East Central Illinois to low-income Latinx workers and their households in the cannery, farms, greenhouse, landscaping, meat, nursery, packinghouse, poultry, restaurants, and snow plowing industries.

    View Farmworker & Landscaper Advocacy Project (FLAP)'s Website
  • Land, Health, CommunitySpring2022

    Fresh Taste - Chicago Regional Food System Fund (Fiscal Sponsor: Forefront)

    To contribute funding toward the collaborative Chicago Region Food System Fund, focusing on COVID-19 related response and building resilience in the local food system, an area approximately 200 miles from Chicago. Priority has been given to organizations producing food in, and supplying food to, communities of color.

    View Fresh Taste - Chicago Regional Food System Fund (Fiscal Sponsor: Forefront)'s Website
  • Land, Health, CommunitySpring2022

    Fresh Taste (Fiscal Sponsor: Forefront)

    To systemically change the way food is produced and consumed in the Chicago region to promote healthy land, healthy people, and healthy communities by creating an effective funder and practitioner collaboration in the Upper Midwest to promote a resilient food system in the region. This work includes supporting the evolution of local foods to include greater emphasis on diversified, regenerative agriculture through small grains, perennial agriculture, and livestock.

    View Fresh Taste (Fiscal Sponsor: Forefront)'s Website
  • Land, Health, CommunitySpring2022

    Prairie Rivers Network

    For general operating support for Prairie Rivers Network’s organizational capacity and development while strengthening ongoing and emerging agricultural programming to foster the adoption of agricultural practices and policies that regenerate and protect the land, air, water, and biodiversity of communities from the northeast to the southern tip of Illinois, with a strong focus in East Central Illinois

    View Prairie Rivers Network's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunitySpring2022

    The Land Connection

    To develop and launch a comprehensive farmland access program for Illinois, drawing on work from partners at The Conservation Fund and Liberty Prairie Foundation who have worked to identify challenges to farmers seeking land and landowners seeking conservation-minded farmers and the additional support services that would make those connections possible.

    View The Land Connection's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunitySpring2022

    Fit-2-Serve

    For organizational capacity building and expansion of Fit-2-Serve's current programs targeting youth through agriculture and rural development activities to create a stronger social fabric grounded in good health and sustainability.

    View Fit-2-Serve's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunitySpring2022

    Sierra Club Foundation

    For the Illinois Partners for Clean Water Campaign to engage community members in efforts to improve water quality through improved farming practices and wastewater treatment in five East Central Illinois watersheds—the Vermilion, Sangamon, Embarras, and Little Wabash rivers; and Shoal Creek (Kaskaskia River tributary).

    View Sierra Club Foundation's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunityFall2021

    Illinois Environmental Council Education Fund

    To amplify the voices of IECEF partners in East Central Illinois and beyond through the organization's Conservation Program to promote local ordinances which allow citizens greater autonomy in converting portions of their properties into natural landscapes and demonstrate to decision makers the value of natural areas as a strong mitigation tool in the fight against the impacts of climate change.

    View Illinois Environmental Council Education Fund's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunityFall2021

    Eastern Illinois University

    For continued funding of the Squash Hunger through Partners in Produce project and additional community outreach and networking capabilities while providing more students with hands-on community public health nutrition experience.

    View Eastern Illinois University's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunityFall2021

    The Land Connection

    For general operating support for their project, Increasing Capacity to Build Strong and Resilient Local Food Systems. The project is designed to increase farmer knowledge on building and growing sustainable farming businesses to provide the local community with access to healthy, locally grown and raised foods. The project also aims to increase public awareness of the importance of a strong, resilient, local food system by increasing the number of programs and events offered to the general public.

    View The Land Connection's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunityFall2021

    American Farmland Trust

    To fund the efforts of American Farmland Trust to build interest in and capacity for farmland protection within county governments and Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) in targeted regions of Illinois, including virtual training for elected officials and SWCD representatives on successful farmland protection programs and available funding.

    View American Farmland Trust's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunityFall2021

    Champaign County Environmental Stewards

    To establish facilities and commercial relationships as part of the Commercial Food Scrap Compost Pilot Project to divert pre-consumer food scraps from landfills to a composting facility that will make salable screened garden compost.

    View Champaign County Environmental Stewards's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunityFall2021

    Illinois Stewardship Alliance

    Funding to support staff as they identify, recruit, and train farmers to engage in their work through the member-only caucuses, participate in coalitions, work closely with policymakers and their staff, communicate stories and produce reports on food system issues, and provide opportunities for personal engagement.

    View Illinois Stewardship Alliance's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunityFall2021

    Prairie Rivers Network

    To support the continued growth and development of the IDEA Farm Network (IFN), a farmer-led learning community that is rooted in East Central Illinois, plus two annual gatherings for the ReGenerate Illinois (RI) Network and food system related projects.

    View Prairie Rivers Network's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunityFall2021

    Sola Gratia Farm

    For administrative staff and customer relationship management (CRM) software to improve efficiency and effective communication with partners, members, volunteers, and donors. The additional staff will allow the Director and support staff to focus on other areas of growth and development identified in their Strategic Plan.

    View Sola Gratia Farm's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunitySpring2021

    Buckeye Friends School (Fiscal Sponsor: Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation)

    In support of the school's Garden the Great Project to inspire students with a hands-on experience growing sustainable food as they study the impact of industrial food production on climate change and cultivating regenerative agriculture systems.

    View Buckeye Friends School (Fiscal Sponsor: Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation)'s Website
  • Land, Health, CommunitySpring2021

    Sierra Club Foundation

    For the Illinois Partners for Clean Water Campaign to engage community members in efforts to improve water quality through improved farming practices and wastewater treatment in five East Central Illinois watersheds—the Vermilion, Sangamon, Embarras, and Little Wabash rivers; and Shoal Creek (Kaskaskia River tributary).

    View Sierra Club Foundation's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunitySpring2021

    Illinois Environmental Council Education Fund (IECEF)

    To fund the general operations of IECEF to increase their work on sustainable agriculture and conservation in East Central Illinois by promoting policies that conserve natural areas and educating decision makers through hands-on experiences with conservation areas in their districts.

    View Illinois Environmental Council Education Fund (IECEF)'s Website
  • Land, Health, CommunitySpring2021

    Camp New Hope

    To spruce up Camp New Hope to provide an inviting, welcoming and an educational atmosphere with butterfly and pollinator gardens, walking paths, benches, bird baths, signage, and plaques to distinguish the various garden areas and plant or tree species for those enjoying the scenery.

    View Camp New Hope's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunitySpring2021

    Fresh Taste - Chicago Region Food System Fund (Fiscal Sponsor: Forefront)

    To contribute funding toward the collaborative Chicago Region Food System Fund, focusing on COVID-19 related response and building resilience in the local food system, an area approximately 200 miles from Chicago. Priority has been given to organizations producing food in, and supplying food to, communities of color.

    View Fresh Taste - Chicago Region Food System Fund (Fiscal Sponsor: Forefront)'s Website
  • Land, Health, CommunitySpring2021

    Forefront - Fresh Taste

    To systemically change the way food is produced and consumed in the Chicago region to promote healthy land, healthy people, and healthy communities by creating an effective funder and practitioner collaboration in the Upper Midwest to promote a resilient food system in the region. This work includes supporting the evolution of local foods to include greater emphasis on diversified, regenerative agriculture through small grains, perennial agriculture, and livestock.

    View Forefront - Fresh Taste's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunitySpring2021

    Fresh Taste - Illinois Regenerative Agriculture Initiative (Fiscal Sponsor: Forefront)

    To build leadership capacity in Regenerative Agriculture at the University of Illinois by catalyzing collaboration among units on campus with relevant, complementary expertise and supporting the education of graduate students at the University of Illinois who choose to work on research topics relevant to promoting the key metrics of regenerative agriculture.

    View Fresh Taste - Illinois Regenerative Agriculture Initiative (Fiscal Sponsor: Forefront)'s Website
  • Land, Health, CommunitySpring2021

    Shelbyville Community Garden

    To purchase lumber for additional raised beds at the community garden, plus fruit trees, hoses and tools, a portable green house, and supplies for educational classes for children and adults.

    View Shelbyville Community Garden's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunitySpring2021

    The Land Connection

    To develop and launch a comprehensive farmland access program for Illinois, drawing on work from partners at The Conservation Fund and Liberty Prairie Foundation who have worked to identify challenges to farmers seeking land and landowners seeking conservation-minded farmers and the additional support services that would make those connections possible.

    View The Land Connection's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunitySpring2021

    University of Illinois Extension

    To purchase refrigeration units for local food pantries participating in the Squash Hunger Through Partners in Produce project, a collaboration between Eastern Illinois University and the University of Illinois Extension to address food insecurity in East Central Illinois by obtaining produce donations from farmers and distributing them to local food pantries, providing fresh produce to resource-limited populations.

    View University of Illinois Extension's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunitySpring2021

    Faith in Place

    To continue the “Connecting Communities for Faith Environmental Leadership and Collaboration” project - building on significant successes in 2018-2021 to engage East Central Illinois (ECI) people of faith to help protect the environment; strengthen grassroots leadership capacity; and increase connections among ECI communities in five program areas: sustainable food & land use; energy & climate change; water preservation; advocacy; youth leadership.

    View Faith in Place's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunitySpring2021

    Douglas-Hart Foundation

    To support the Wishes for Whiteside project to update, beautify, and expand the Whiteside Garden and interpretive center to offer public tours and educational exhibits to promote recreation and increase conservation practices in East Central Illinois.

    View Douglas-Hart Foundation's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunitySpring2021

    Prairie Rivers Network

    For general operating support for Prairie Rivers Network’s organizational capacity and development while strengthening ongoing and emerging agricultural programming to foster the adoption of agricultural practices and policies that regenerate and protect the land, air, water, and biodiversity of communities from the northeast to the southern tip of Illinois, with a strong focus in East Central Illinois.

    View Prairie Rivers Network's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunitySpring2021

    Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting

    For in-depth investigative journalism concerning the overall carbon sequestration efforts in Central Illinois and their potential impact on climate change as well as our food and fuel systems, while also providing well-reported and contextual information so citizens can be fully informed in their assessments of these projects.

    View Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunitySpring2021

    Fit-2-Serve

    For organizational capacity building and expansion of Fit-2-Serve's current programs targeting youth through agriculture and rural development activities to create a stronger social fabric grounded in good health and sustainability.

    View Fit-2-Serve's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunityFall2020

    Savanna Institute

    To expand its program into East Central Illinois to work directly with farmers, landowners, agencies, and local organizations to make agroforestry adoption easier at the farm and community level through educational opportunities, state and local agricultural policy development, and one-on-one technical support.

    View Savanna Institute's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunityFall2020

    Illinois Stewardship Alliance

    To support staff as they identify, recruit, and train farmers to engage in their work through the member-only caucuses, participate in coalitions, work closely with policymakers and their staff, communicate stories and produce reports on food system issues, and provide opportunities for personal engagement. The funding also covers the completion of a feasibility study for a small and diversified farm loan program in Illinois.

    View Illinois Stewardship Alliance's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunityFall2020

    Prairie Rivers Network

    For general operating support of ReGenerate Illinois (RI), a collaborative partnership that unites farmers, organizations, researchers, institutions, and food entrepreneurs seeking to expand regenerative agriculture, the availability of regenerative-grown local foods, and rebuild local food economies across Illinois. Funding will also benefit the IDEA Farm Network (IFN), a farmer-led learning community of over 430 farmers, researchers, NGOs, and educators.

    View Prairie Rivers Network's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunityFall2020

    Sola Gratia Farm

    To improve soil fertility and plant health on newly acquired and existing acreage through increased and targeted soil testing and plant sap analysis, consultation with a soil health expert, and investment in equipment, nutrients, mycorrhizal fungi, and cover crop seeds.

    View Sola Gratia Farm's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunityFall2020

    Eastern Illinois University School of Technology

    To increase the understanding of the scientific and commercial foundations for a profitable, sustainable, and environmentally-friendly alternative crop rotation for farmers in East Central Illinois through industrial hemp fiber by investigating the barriers and opportunities for its development from the crop to energy feedstocks and other sustainable products.

    View Eastern Illinois University School of Technology's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunityFall2020

    The Land Connection

    For general operating support to fund the Increasing Capacity to Build Strong and Resilient Local Food Systems project in Champaign County to provide farmers with the necessary networks, training, and education focused on improving environmental and ecological outcomes for the community and economic and quality of life outcomes for farmers.

    View The Land Connection's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunitySpring 2020

    Faith In Place

    To continue the expansion of Green Teams within congregations in East Central Illinois and to facilitate projects in the areas of sustainable food and land use, energy and climate, and water preservation.

    View Faith In Place's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunitySpring 2020

    Grand Prairie Friends

    To fund a feasibility study regarding the building of a bridge to connect the natural area of Lake Charleston to those of Grand Prairie Friends, across the Embarras River in southern Charleston, IL.

    View Grand Prairie Friends's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunitySpring 2020

    Fit-2-Serve

    For organizational capacity building and expansion of Fit-2-Serve's current programs targeting youth through agriculture and rural development activities to create a stronger social fabric grounded in good health and sustainability.

    View Fit-2-Serve's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunitySpring 2020

    Fresh Taste - Illinois Regenerative Agriculture Initiative (Fiscal Sponsor: Forefront)

    To build leadership capacity in Regenerative Agriculture at the University of Illinois by catalyzing collaboration among units on campus with relevant, complementary expertise.

    View Fresh Taste - Illinois Regenerative Agriculture Initiative (Fiscal Sponsor: Forefront)'s Website
  • Land, Health, CommunitySpring 2020

    Illinois Environmental Council Education Fund (IECEF)

    To support the general operations of IECEF and enable them to increase their work to promote policies that conserve natural areas and promote sustainable agriculture by educating decision makers through hands-on experiences with conservation areas in their districts.

    View Illinois Environmental Council Education Fund (IECEF)'s Website
  • Land, Health, CommunitySpring 2020

    City of Mattoon

    To plant 50 trees throughout the city along streets, boulevards, in parks, and at the Lake Mattoon Pavilion during the fall of 2020 and the spring of 2021; Watering and maintenance will continue for approximately two years or until the trees are established.

    View City of Mattoon's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunitySpring 2020

    Fresh Taste (Fiscal Sponsor: Forefront)

    In contribution to the Chicago Food System Emergency Response Fund, intended to support response to the COVID-19 crisis in the Chicago region food system while preparing for recovery and greater resilience in the future.

    View Fresh Taste (Fiscal Sponsor: Forefront)'s Website
  • Land, Health, CommunitySpring 2020

    Sierra Club Foundation

    To provide organizing and technical support to volunteers and East Central Illinois residents so they have a basic understanding of what a meaningful watershed Nutrient Assessment and Reduction Plan (NARP) contains, feel comfortable speaking up in these planning efforts, and are well-equipped to contribute to the development of the plans to improve water quality in area watersheds.

    View Sierra Club Foundation's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunitySpring 2020

    Coles County Soil and Water Conservation District Foundation

    To rent the Illinois Natural History Survey Traveling Science Center, a mobile classroom featuring informative, engaging exhibits on biodiversity and natural resources, for the conservation district's annual educational event for Coles County public school students at the Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site in early May.

    View Coles County Soil and Water Conservation District Foundation's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunitySpring 2020

    Prairie Rivers Network

    For general operating support for Prairie Rivers Network’s organizational capacity and development while strengthening ongoing and emerging agricultural programming to foster the adoption of agricultural practices and policies that regenerate and protect the land, air, water, and biodiversity of Illinois and beyond.

    View Prairie Rivers Network's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunitySpring 2020

    Forefront - Fresh Taste

    To systemically change the way food is produced and consumed in the Chicago region to promote healthy land, healthy people, and healthy communities by creating an effective funder and practitioner collaboration in the Upper Midwest to promote a resilient food system in the region. This work includes supporting the evolution of local foods to include greater emphasis on diversified, regenerative agriculture through small grains, perennial agriculture, and livestock.

    View Forefront - Fresh Taste's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunitySpring 2020

    Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation

    To build a greenhouse to expand the availability and consumption of healthy food through year-round local food production and educational programs in alignment with school schedules in Champaign County.

    View Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunitySpring 2020

    The Organic Center

    To develop training modules for agricultural professionals in East Central Illinois to help improve the economic and environmental conditions of local farms through increased access to trained and trusted, science-based organic agronomic support.

    View The Organic Center's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunitySpring 2020

    Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting

    For an in-depth investigative look at the overall carbon sequestration efforts in Central Illinois and their potential impact on climate change as well as our food and fuel systems while also providing contextual information so citizens can be fully informed in their assessments of these projects.

    View Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting's Website
  • Land, Health, CommunitySpring 2020

    Champaign County Soil and Water Conservation District Foundation

    To improve the ability of Embarras agriculture educators and farmers to implement and support regenerative grazing by offering two full-day workshops demonstrating the benefits of regenerative grazing principles and practices.

    View Champaign County Soil and Water Conservation District Foundation's Website