Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How should we get started?
A: We have tried throughout our web site to provide information to help you decide whether to apply to us for a grant and, if you decide to do so, to make the application process as smooth as possible. If you are just getting started, we recommend that you first review Our Focus. Next, review the rest of these FAQs. Finally, review the Application page, where you will find our recommendations regarding how to approach the application process. If you wish to apply to us for a grant, you must use our online grant application.
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Q: What information will we need for our grant application?
A: Please review our Application page. It provides a recommended set of steps to get ready to fill out our grant application. Those steps explain how to print a sample application so that you can have a complete list of information and documents you will need to provide with your application.
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Q: We are a new organization with less than $100,000 in revenues and/or expenses. Can we still apply?
A: Generally, as discussed on our Application page, we require applicants to have cash revenue and expenses of at least $100,000, excluding in-kind revenue and expenses. If you are a new organization, you fit within Our Focus, you have started operations, you meet all of our other criteria set forth on our Application page and you have a detailed business plan, please contact us.
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Q: When prompted to enter our Taxpayer Identification Number, a message appears, "The Tax ID that you entered was not found in the IRS database". How do we proceed?
A: Our grant application requires that each grant applicant be a public charity under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. You will need your United States Taxpayer Identification Number to begin our application process.
While we generally are able to automatically confirm your tax status through the IRS's website, we may not be able to do so if your determination letter was issued within 6 months prior to your grant application. If you are unable to begin our application for this reason, please fax (847-716-2177) or e-mail us (info@cosfoundation.org) a copy of your IRS determination letter to request access to the application. We will respond by e-mail with a special link.
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Q: Should we expect you to visit us?
A: We may wish to conduct a site visit – if we wish to do so, we will contact you after you submit your application.
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Q: Do you sponsor special events or attend fundraisers or advertise?
A: While we do provide general operating support grants, we generally do not look to support specific special events (unless it is part of a challenge grant to help leverage new donations being raised in connection with an event). You may send us invitations and donor solicitations to keep us "in the loop," but please understand that we have generally not attended many events, and, because of the number of such invitations we receive, we typically do not respond to these items unless we are able to attend. And, if you do send us any printed materials, please send us only one copy. As noted on our Contact Us page, we prefer to receive invitations or other printed material by e-mail if readily available to you in pdf (or another) format.
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Q: We’re not sure that we like the online grant application – can we fill out an application and mail it to you?
A: We ask that all grant applications be submitted online. We have found that almost everyone who has initial concerns about the online application gets comfortable with it quickly. It also saves postage and paper. If you have special circumstances that preclude you from using the online grant application, please contact us.
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Q: Do I have to "sign-up" for an online application account when prompted?
A: Technically, no. But you will need to sign up if you have partially completed an application and you want to complete the application at a later time. You will receive an automatic e-mail from us with a link to your unfinished application. You will be able to edit your application at any time prior to submission. You will be able to view and print out a paper form for your files.
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Q: Can we change or delete our application after we submit it?
A: No. If your application was submitted in error or you do not want it considered, please contact us. We can remove it from our system on your behalf. If you have any corrections or updates to your submitted application, please contact us.
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Q: We have some documents -- our annual report and/or our most recent press release and/or our current newsletter – that we do not have electronically and that we would like to include in our application. Can we send them to you?
A: After you submit your application, you'll receive an automatic e-mail confirmation, which will contain instructions regarding how to send us printed materials. Please send us only one copy of any printed materials, and, again, if you have any printed material available in pdf format, please attach the pdf file to your application rather than sending us a hard copy.
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Q: We still have a few questions... can we contact you?
A: Yes – but please first review Our Focus, these FAQs and our Application page. Click here to see how to contact us.
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Q: We are classified as a "Supporting Organization," tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, with a further classification under Section 509(a)(3). Can we apply for funding?
A: This is not a simple yes or no question. Please contact us to discuss.
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Q: We currently operate outside of Cook County and Lake County but are thinking about expanding to Cook County and Lake County. Can we apply?
A: Yes. We will consider grants from organizations within Our Focus that have strong track records and are interested in expanding to Cook County and/or Lake County.
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Q: We are in the process of a capital campaign. Can we apply for our capital campaign?
A:
We don’t accept unsolicited applications for capital grants. If you currently have a grant from us and you wish to apply for a capital grant, please contact your Program Officer.
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Q: Do we need to an invitation to apply for a grant?
A: It depends. We accept unsolicited applications for the following focus areas:
We do not accept unsolicited applications for the following focus areas:
We also do not accept unsolicited applications for capital campaigns.
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Q: We currently have a grant from you, but our grant terms end soon. When can we reapply?
A: If you are a current grantee, you can apply for a new grant 60 days before your grant terms end. Please note, you need to submit a Final Report Form before submitting a new application.
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Q: We’re not sure exactly when our various reports are due to you. How can we check?
A: Please check your grant terms for all reporting requirements.
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Challenge Grant FAQs
Q: What about challenge grants?
A: We award many grants in the form of challenges. Organizations are encouraged to create a request with a challenge component. Our primary goal with challenge grants is to give grant recipients another tool in their fundraising toolboxes. Click here to read more about our approach to challenge grants.
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Q: What types of gifts to our organization count towards meeting our Circle of Service Foundation challenge grant?
A: We generally match contributions solicited and collected after we notify an organization of the challenge grant award. We count only contributions from (a) new private donors or (b) current private donors who increase their donations.
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