grant guidelines

The Shorewood Foundation, Inc., invites village residents and friends to provide financial support for efforts to nurture and sustain high-quality institutions, facilities, programs and projects that enhance the quality of life in our community.

Foundation-supported initiatives are intended to:

  1. Preserve and maintain village history and charm 
  2. Support civic pride, community spirit, health and wellness 
  3. Protect and preserve cherished green spaces and parks 

Policies & Principles

Proposed programs/projects more likely to receive funding will:
  • Be devoted to charitable, educational or civic purposes benefiting Shorewood residents and/or those who work in the village.
  • Address a demonstrated public need.
  • Be feasible and have well defined goals.
  • Enjoy strong community support.
  • Have the potential to make a lasting impact on the Shorewood community.
  • Be supported by realistic and sound financial projections.
Proposed programs/projects are less likely to be funded if they:
  • Include funding for municipal personnel/salary expenses.
  • Are normally supported by village tax-payers as a budgetary item.
  • Have been considered and rejected by the Shorewood Village Board, Shorewood schools or other civic groups/organizations
  • Are of a long-term nature and lacks a well articulated path toward eventual self-support.
Proposed programs/projects will not be funded if they:
  • Promote a religion or involve participation in a religious activity. Grants may be made to faith-based organizations for non-religious purposes that provide social services for the benefit of the Shorewood community at large.
  • Involve partisan political activities or promote candidates for public office.
  • Are proposed by a commercial/for-profit entity to support a for-profit endeavor.
  • Are for the purpose of fundraising or endowment building.
  • Are for the benefit of a community other than Shorewood.

Grant applications requesting higher funding levels will be subject to a more rigorous review process.

All funded programs/projects are expected to acknowledge the Foundation’s support. Funded organizations will be asked to include such acknowledgment—in announcements, marketing materials and elsewhere—stating “this (activity/event/organization) is supported by a grant from the Shorewood Foundation, Inc.”

Grant Application Procedure and Calendar

Grant proposals should be submitted by the 15th day of even-numbered months (February, April, June, etc.) for consideration at the next Foundation board meeting (third Tuesday of odd-numbered months (January, March, May, etc.).

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Download Grant Guidelines PDF