The SwedishAmerican Foundation is excited to announce it will award grants through its third annual Caring For Our Community grant program. The Foundation will provide financial support to not-for-profit organizations, particularly those that complement the SwedishAmerican Foundation’s mission and vision. The grant application will be available Friday, March 1 through Monday, April 15.

This unique opportunity is available for not-for-profit entities or organizations that serve or represent the Rockford community or communities within the service area of SwedishAmerican. Projects should support alleviating homelessness, hunger and un(under)employment; improving health and wellness; expanding early childhood development; and improving offender rehabilitation/reintegration. Capital requests will not be accepted.

The Caring For Our Community grants are awarded once per year in August.  Last year’s grant recipients were Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity’s Midtown Home Rehabilitation, Youth Services Network’s Parenthood Promise, Stateline Youth for Christ’s Juvenile Justice Ministry, The Salvation Army of Winnebago County’s “Shirley’s Place,” and Mosaic’s medical equipment distribution program.

“There are so many local groups doing great things and truly making a difference in our community,” says SwedishAmerican Foundation Director Laura Wilkinson. “This is one way SwedishAmerican can reach beyond our walls and give back and support those organizations that are making Rockford a better place to live.”

All grants must be submitted to the SwedishAmerican Foundation by 5 p.m. on April 15 in order to be considered. The guidelines and application can be found at www.swedishamericanfoundation.org.