Application Guidelines

Applications for The Service Club of Chicago Grant Awards are accepted no earlier than December 1 and no later than January 16 of each year.

NOTE: Applications for grant awards shall be limited to non-recurring expenses not otherwise covered in the agency’s normal operating budget. We will not consider requests for financing and operating expenses, including but not limited to employee compensation, professional services, rent/mortgage payments, and other ongoing monthly bills. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

All applicants must provide written evidence of financial stability, documentation of their own non-profit status issued by the State of Illinois, and the latest, most current 990 filing with the IRS. All applicants must provide 501(C)(3) tax-exempt status, have been in operation no less than three years, and provide financial statements as required by the Internal Revenue Service.

The application package must include at least two bids for each item requested (exceptions may apply). The Service Club of Chicago will disburse grant awards directly to the vendor and not to the agency; no cash awards are given.

Grant Recipients from the preceding year are not eligible to apply for the following 3 consecutive calendar years.  For example, for the upcoming 2024 grant cycle, only agencies granted in 2020 and earlier can be considered.  However, if you were denied in the preceding three-year period, you may apply in the current year. 

It is our policy to award grants only to philanthropic organizations that serve the greater Chicago area and can demonstrate evidence of financial soundness and responsibility satisfactory to the Philanthropic Committee of the Service Club of Chicago. The applicant’s central office must be within a 25-mile radius of The Service Club Office at 233 East Erie, Chicago, Illinois. Members of the Philanthropic Committee will visit the facilities of first-time applicants and applicants who have not been visited within the past five years.

Please return ONLY the completed application and requested information. Do not include organizational brochures, newspaper articles, etc. Your organization may distribute those types of materials during the interview/presentation or on-site visit to your facilities.

Application and Review Schedule (approximate, except for application acceptance dates):

  • Complete the online application from December 1 – January 16 (no exceptions). Online applications are time-stamped.
  • Once your online application is completed, a confirmation email with a copy of your application will be sent to you. 
  • A member of the Philanthropic Committee will call to schedule Interviews and/or on-site visits: End of January
  • Interviews and/or on-site visits will be held from February through Early May.
  • Committee Decision: June
  • Awarding of Grants: June – Grant recipients will be invited to an award reception

Please send one (1) paper copy of this completed application along with one (1) copy of each supporting document (2 Vendor Quotes for each item requested, Latest IRS tax filing, Latest full year of audited financials or CPA reviewed financial statement, Current tax-exempt certificate from the Internal Revenue Service, and List of members of the governing board, staff and directors) to:

The Service Club of Chicago
Attention: Philanthropic Chairman
233 East Erie – Suite 405 Chicago, IL 60611

These items may be mailed, or you may choose to drop them off at The Service Club office. Whichever carrier you choose, please mark your packages “leave without signature.” We have no paid staff at the office during the business day to accept packages. Questions may be left at the Service Club voice-mail phone (312) 220-9600.

Grantee Group 2023

2023 Grantee Recipients