Does Crossroads support social service organizations?
What if my group is not based in Chicago?
Can local chapters of national organizations apply?
Does Crossroads have grant programs for individuals?
Do I have to use Crossroads Fund’s forms?
How do I know if my organization fits Crossroads Fund’s budgetary restrictions?
What if my organization does not have 501(c)(3) status?
What if the application deadline falls on a weekend or holiday?
Can I send my application through regular mail?

Does Crossroads Fund support social service organizations?
Crossroads Fund supports social services when linked with activism, when there is a component of social change work within the organization. Please visit read our Funding Criteria for a full dicussion of social change organizing. Also check out our current grantees to see what types of groups we typically fund.

What if my group is not based in Chicago?
Crossroads Fund supports work rooted in communities in the Chicago metropolitan area, including Northwestern Indiana. If your work would fit into Crossroads Fund’s social change funding guidelines, but you are located in another area of the United States or Puerto Rico, check out the Funding Exchange grant programs (www.fex.org). From this site you can also access links to our Funding Exchange sister funds. Our grantee resources page also lists other funders of social change work.

Can local chapters of national organizations apply?
Yes, when the chapter has a strong base in Chicago area communities, and an autonomous fundraising strategy (is not solely dependent on the national group for funding).

Does Crossroads Fund have grant programs for individuals?
No, Crossroads Fund supports non-profit organizations. We cannot fund individuals.

Do I have to use Crossroads Fund's application forms?
You may create your own Cover Sheet, Budget Form or Progress Report Form as long as all the information we request is included.

How do I know if my organization fits Crossroads Fund’s budgetary restrictions?
We look at an organization’s previous year’s actual expenses to determine its fit with our budgetary guidelines. Most of our funding programs are for organizations with budgets under $300,000. If your organization’s planned budget for the current fiscal year is $310,000, but your last fiscal year’s actual expenses were $285,500, you would fit.

What if my organization does not have 501(c)(3) status?
Crossroads Fund supports non-profit organizations, including those that do not have 501(c)3 status. Fiscal sponsorship for those organizations without tax-exempt status is recommended but not required. An organizational bank account is required for those groups not using a fiscal sponsor.

What if the application deadline falls on a weekend or holiday?
If the deadline falls on a weekend, applications are due on the following Monday. If the deadline falls on a holiday, applications are generally due on the following business day, but call the office at 773.227.7676 to make sure.

Can I send my application through regular mail?
Yes, however you should make sure that your application is postmarked by the due date. If you plan on mailing your application on the due date, we suggest that you take it in to the post office to make sure that it’s postmarked with the correct date.