Congratulations to Our FY26 Community Partner Grantees

The Community Foundation of Will County (CFWC) recently announced the following 2026 Community Partner Grants. Grants are intended to help the recipient organizations expand existing programming and build capacity to meet the needs of communities in Will County.

Following are the 2026 grants awarded to 14 Will County organizations

Paraclete Ministries. NFP

Joliet

Paraclete Ministries, NFP received grant support for its Grandparents Raising Children program, which serves grandparents who have assumed the primary caregiving role for their grandchildren. Funding will help strengthen the program’s educational resources, support services, and accessibility through the purchase of curriculum materials, participant resources, communication and translation tools, cloud-based technology, and recognition materials. These enhancements will provide caregivers with practical guidance, emotional support, and connections to legal and community resources while improving communication and engagement. Through this investment, the program will empower grandparents with the knowledge, tools, and support needed to create stable, nurturing environments for the children in their care.

People for Channahon Parks Foundation

Channahon, IL

People for Channahon Parks Foundation received grant support for enhancements at Arroyo Trails, a 75-acre public park in Channahon. Maintained by the Channahon Park District and supported by the Foundation through funding and volunteer efforts, Arroyo Trails serves as a valuable community destination that expands recreational opportunities without relying on local property taxes. Grant funding will support the installation of two weathered steel public art pieces inspired by the area’s natural landscape and local history. Developed with input from youth participants, the installations will enrich the park experience, foster community pride and engagement, and help attract visitors to Channahon’s growing outdoor recreation corridor.

Prairie State Legal Services, Inc.

Joliet, IL

Prairie State Legal Services (PSLS) provides free civil legal assistance to low-income individuals and families throughout central and northern Illinois, helping clients navigate challenges related to housing, personal safety, financial stability, and civil rights. Grant funding will support the creation of a child-friendly waiting area in the organization’s Will County office, featuring age-appropriate books, educational materials, and engaging activities for children accompanying their caregivers to legal appointments. Designed as a welcoming and trauma-informed space, the area will help reduce stress for children and families, allowing parents and guardians to focus on important legal consultations. This enhancement will improve the overall client experience and support more effective legal advocacy for families facing complex and often difficult circumstances.

Meals on Wheels of Northern Illinois

Joliet, IL

Funding provided by the Community Foundation of Will County will help Meals on Wheels of Northern Illinois provide nutritious, dietitian-approved meals, wellness checks, volunteer support, and outreach services for older adults throughout Will County. Serving individuals at high nutritional risk, the organization delivers more than one million meals annually through community dining sites and home-delivery programs that help reduce hunger, combat social isolation, and prevent avoidable health crises. This grant will also serve as a local matching investment, helping leverage additional state and federal funding to expand the program’s reach and impact. Through these efforts, older adults will be better equipped to maintain their health, independence, and ability to age safely and comfortably in their own homes.

ShareFest Will County

Will County, IL

ShareFest Will County operates one of the region’s largest volunteer-driven food access programs, serving more than 16,000 low- to moderate-income households each year through its Food Warehouse and Distribution Facility. To enhance food safety, improve volunteer working conditions, and support reliable year-round operations, the organization is installing a new commercial-grade HVAC system at its warehouse. This grant will help protect food inventory, reduce waste and operating costs, and ensure continued access to essential food resources for vulnerable residents throughout Will County, even during extreme seasonal temperatures.

Bolingbrook Community Closet

Bolingbrook, IL

The Bolingbrook Community Closet will use grant funding to expand accessibility, outreach, and community awareness through a dedicated website, promotional materials, and enhanced visibility at events. Funds will also support the purchase of storage containers that improve clothing organization, increase inventory capacity, and enable faster service for individuals in need. A major investment will be accessible clothing racks that allow for better clothing display, improved wheelchair access, and a more dignified shopping experience for all patrons. Working alongside community partners that provide storage and pop-up shop locations, the organization aims to increase its capacity to serve more residents and strengthen access to free clothing resources throughout the community.

Sertoma Speech and Hearing Center

Crest Hill, IL

This grant provided by The Community Foundation of Will County will support the expansion of a mobile hearing testing program that delivers hearing screenings, diagnostic services, and follow-up care directly to underserved communities facing barriers such as transportation challenges, limited provider access, and financial constraints. Funding will be used for portable audiology equipment, staffing by certified professionals, mobile unit operations, community outreach, and care coordination for individuals needing additional evaluation or treatment. The program aims to increase access to early hearing detection and intervention services while improving participation in hearing screenings and follow-up care. Ultimately, the initiative seeks to identify hearing loss earlier, improve developmental and educational outcomes for children, and enhance communication and quality of life for individuals of all ages.

Stepping Stones Inc.

Joliet, IL

Stepping Stones Treatment Center requested grant funding to purchase a replacement passenger van that will provide safe, reliable transportation for residents receiving substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health treatment throughout Will County. With more than 50 years of experience serving individuals in recovery, Stepping Stones offers a full continuum of residential, recovery housing, and outpatient services to meet the growing demand for treatment in the community. Transportation is essential for residents to attend counseling, medical and psychiatric appointments, court obligations, employment opportunities, educational programs, and recovery support services, but one of the organization’s current vans has reached the end of its useful life and is becoming increasingly unreliable. Funding a replacement van will improve access to critical services, reduce missed appointments, strengthen treatment outcomes, and support long-term recovery and stability for hundreds of residents each year.

Legacy Equine-Assisted Services

Will County, IL

Legacy Equine-Assisted Services (Legacy Ranch) in Lockport provides equine-assisted therapy, adaptive riding, and wellness programs for children and adults with physical, developmental, cognitive, and emotional disabilities, serving many residents throughout Will County. Grant funding will be used to purchase a John Deere Gator utility vehicle that will improve access to its ranch, nature trails, and community garden for
individuals with mobility challenges. The vehicle will promote greater inclusion and participation in therapeutic, recreational, and vocational activities, helping clients build independence, social skills, problem-solving abilities, and employment-related skills.

After the Peanut Foundation

Plainfield, IL

After the Peanut Foundation received grant funds to continue and expand its culturally responsive school-based programming during the 2026-2027 school year. Through interactive STEAM, arts, storytelling, and social-emotional learning activities, students will explore culture, identity, empathy, and community connection while creating projects such as digital peace murals and culturally relevant music. The program aims to strengthen cultural understanding, foster belonging, improve social-emotional skills, and
promote unity, healing, and positive community engagement among young people.

Shady Oaks Camp for People with Disabilities

Homer Glen, IL

Grant funding to Shady Oaks Camp in Homer Glen will replace four aging and damaged deck umbrellas used by campers and counselors during outdoor summer activities. The new umbrella sets, including weighted bases, will provide shade and comfort for campers as they socialize, play games, and enjoy time outdoors with friends, helping create a safe and welcoming summer camp experience for individuals who often live in nursing homes or group homes.

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Joliet

Crest Hill, IL

Catholic Charities Diocese of Joliet’s Aging & Disability Services Division provides free community-based health, wellness, educational, and social programs for older adults in Will County, including fall prevention, fitness, cognitive health, arts, and health screening activities. Grant funding will support supplies, equipment, meals, and outreach efforts needed to deliver these programs and engage more seniors in services. The Initiative aims to improve health outcomes, increase physical activity and health literacy, reduce social isolation, and help older adults maintain independence and strong community connections.

One Family Illinois in Lockport

Will County, IL

One Family Illinois sought grant to support its Sibling Foster Care Program at Lockport Village, which provides stable, family-style foster homes where sibling groups of up to six children can remain together while receiving comprehensive care and support. Research shows that keeping siblings together and fostering lasting relationships with supportive adults helps reduce the long-term effects of trauma, improves emotional well-being, and increases the likelihood of successful reunification or permanency. Through trained foster parents, therapists, educational support, and family services, the program aims to help children heal, strengthen families, increase permanency outcomes, and reduce the risk of reentry into foster care.

Document the Abuse, NFP

Will County, IL

This grant provided by the Community Foundation of Will County will assist Document the Abuse, NFP in expanding access to its Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit (EAA), a tool that helps victims of domestic violence and other forms of abuse securely document their experiences through video testimony, evidence collection, and protected data storage for potential legal use. Grant funds would purchase iPads for New Lenox social workers and advocacy training programs, as well as secure data storage and filing equipment to protect sensitive information. The project aims to ensure that abuse victims in Will County have access to safe, reliable tools for documenting abuse, supporting investigations, and improving access to justice and victim services.