Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs has announced a $20,000 grant to Christian Care, a nonprofit organization in Rock Island that provides shelter, food, and support services to individuals experiencing homelessness, as well as transitional housing for veterans.
The grant was one of 10 awarded to small nonprofits across Illinois through the treasurer’s Charitable Trust Stabilization Program. The program aims to help nonprofits serving vulnerable populations by supporting housing, food assistance, and workforce and economic development initiatives.
“We know the essential work that organizations like Christian Care do to support our communities. They deliver services to those in need,” Mr. Frerichs said at a news conference Friday, May 9, at Christian Care. He emphasized the positive ripple effect of investing in people.
“Your support will ensure that we are ready for the expected increase in usage of our meal site over the coming year,” Christian Care Executive Director Frank Roe said.
Christian Care operates a 42-bed shelter for men, including six beds dedicated to a veterans transitional housing program. The organization also has a 20-bed women’s shelter for women and children and provides daily meals. Founded in 1916, Christian Care serves more than 500 people annually, providing roughly 45,000 meals. The organization’s facility, it said, is located in a food desert where the poverty rate is nearly double the state average.
The Charitable Trust Stabilization Fund supports nonprofits with annual budgets under $1 million and at least one full-time employee. The fund is financed through fees paid by not-for-profit corporations when filing annual reports with the Illinois Secretary of State.
The fall 2024 grant cycle focused on organizations with food programs and those with workforce and economic development programs. The 10 recipients were chosen from 110 applicants.
Since its inception in 2017, the fund has awarded 241 grants totaling more than $4.8 million to 204 nonprofits, impacting over 100,000 individuals.
The next grant application period will run from July 1 to Sept. 30 and will focus on food and housing programs. For more information, visit ilcharitabletrust.com or contact the Treasurer’s Office at (217) 836-4590.
