Welcome to the Barrington Area Community Foundation

Since 1998 we have been a permanent, long-term fund for the betterment of the Barrington area community. Below you will find information for applying for grants, services and groups we offer and quick access to managing the grant cycle.

BACF Grants

Youth Advisory Council

The Youth Advisory Council is group of local students who work on their own projects and programs.

Grant Dashboards

Information about the current grant cycle for all.

Donate

Help support our mission.

Grants

Each grant recipient should demonstrate that they are reaching an unserved group of local citizens with a program that does not duplicate other community charities. All grants are audited and reported to the community. The Foundation will not grant to organizations that are largely tax-supported.

Grant Workshop Scheduled

Grant Workshop for 2026 will be held at the Barrington White House – November 6, 2025

Estimated Grant Level – 2026

Grant Awards for 2026 are estimated to be $460,000; We look forward to the 2026 grant review process and announcing the grant award winners in May of 2026!

BACF Purpose

To establish a permanent, long-term fund for the betterment of the community.

The Foundation will use the annual proceeds to support initiatives that benefit the community and maintain our quality of life.

2025 Grant Recipients

  • Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital on behalf of Smart Farm Program
  • Barrington Area Conservation Trust
  • Barrington Area Council on Aging
  • Barrington AREA Development Council
  • Barrington Area Volunteer Connection
  • Barrington Children’s Choir
  • Barrington Dance Ensemble
  • Barrington Giving Day
  • Barrington’s White House
  • Barrington Youth and Family Services
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Dundee Township
  • Bright Birthdays, Inc.
  • Catlow 1927 Foundation
  • Center for Enriched Living
  • Children’s Advocacy Center of North and Northwest Cook County
  • Citizens for Conservation
  • Elderweks Educational Services
  • Elgin Symphony Orchestra
  • Embrace Living Communities
  • Encore Music Academy (Northwest Community Music Academy)
  • Flint Creek / Spring Creek Watersheds Partnership
  • GiGi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement
    Centers
  • Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois
  • GiveNKind
  • Hanover Township Emergency Services Foundation
  • Kaleidoscope School of Fine Art
  • Let It Be Us
  • Oak Leak Cooperative School
  • Opus Montessori School
  • Parker Players Theater Company
  • RISE – For Differently Abled Students
  • Rotary Club of Barrington Afterhours
  • Salem Methodist Preschool
  • SOUL Harbour Ranch
  • South Pointe Youth for Christ
  • Special Gifts Theatre
  • The Build Team NFP
  • The Community Meal
  • Walk On
  • William Rainey Harper College Educational Foundation
  • WINGS Program, Inc.
  • Collaboration Award:
    Bright Birthdays, Inc.

2026 Grant Cycle

Grant Workshop

Nov. 6, 2025

Barrington White House
145 W. Main Street
Barrington, IL 60010

Applications Open

Dec. 1, 2025

Grant Applications Deadline

Jan. 9, 2026

Grant Primary Interviews

Feb. 1 – Mar. 31, 2026

Grant Second Interviews

Apr. 10 & 11, 2026

Rose Hall
South Barrington, IL

Grant Workshop

Nov. 6, 2025

Barrington White House
145 W. Main Street
Barrington, IL 60010