Grants/Awards

UNSUNG HERO AWARD

UnSung Hero Awards recognize individuals or groups of individuals that make a difference in the lives of children with disabilities.

​

UnSung Hero/Recognition Awards are awarded to a teacher, student, or a community member who makes a significant contribution in the life of a person with a disability. Recipients may or may not have special needs and eligibility will not be restricted based on such. UnSung Hero Awards will be collected through the school year and given in Spring of each year.

​

Guidelines:

  • Nominations for Unsung Hero/Recognition Awards can be made by a school counselor, teacher, famiy member, community member, or a person with special needs.

  • Recognition will be given preference based on service and leadership that promotes the mission statement of the Bi-County Cooperative Foundation.

  • Award nominations will be accepted continually through March 10 of each year.

​

Click here for the UnSung Hero Award Application


MINI-GRANTS

The purpose of Bi-County Foundation Mini-Grants is to provide financial support to individuals or programs that will be used to enrich the lives and broaden the experiences of special needs children.

​

Guidelines:

  • Mini-Grant proposals may be submitted by educators, family, related service personnel, or community members who work or reside in Whiteside or Carroll counties and are providing direct services to children (ages 0-21) with special needs.

  • Mini-Grant funds may be used to purchase materials, services, or personnel necessary to the implementation of ideas which are creative and unique and will have a positive educational impact on children and families. Such expenditures should be developmentally appropriate and strongly justified in the gran body.

  • Any materials purchased through mini-grant funds for school programs must remain with the program or intended purpose.

  • Proposed projects may include, but are not limited to: inclusion, family involvement, assessment, curriculum, transition, or multicultural understanding.

​

Funds will be disbursed in the form of a Bi-County Foundation check, mailed directly to the applicant.

​

Follow Through:

All persons receiving Mini-Grant Funds will be asked to submit a final report to the Bi-County Foundation. This report could include a press release and/or evaluation write-up. Grant recipients who fail to submit receipts verifying the expenditure of grant monies will no longer be eligible to apply. Extensions for this grant will be granted only by a majority vote of the Bi-County Foundation Board of Directors.

​

Submission of Grant:

Completed grants should be submitted in one of the following ways:

​

Mail:

Bi-County Cooperative Foundation

1900 W. LeFevre Rd. Suite A

Sterling, IL 61081

​

Fax:

815/622-3182

​

Email:

TCrisp@bi-county.org

​

Grant requests received after the grant deadline will be held for the next review. Participants are limited to a maximum of two (2) stipends per year per individual or organization. Grants will be considered case by case at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Approved grants will be funded in accordance with the Board of Directors majority vote and may change yearly.

​

If you have any questions, please contact the Foundation through the "Contact" page.

​

Click here for the Mini-Grant Application