Acorn Equality Fund Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Acorn Equality Fund

Acorn Equality Fund

Acorn Equality Fund is a not‑for‑profit 501(c)(3) organization that awards scholarships and organization grants to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons, organizations, and allies with the goal of creating positive community impact. The Fund serves a defined service area in downstate Illinois and supports projects and individual education that advance education, health, and civil rights. Its grantmaking and scholarship programs are modest in size but focused on local impact and access to post‑secondary opportunity. For program eligibility and geographic scope, see the Service area subheading below.

**Status**
Acorn Equality Fund is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

**Service area**
The Fund serves downstate Illinois — all Illinois counties except Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will.

**Purpose**
Support education, health, and civil‑rights work for LGBT persons and their allies via scholarships and organization grants.

Key takeaways
- 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on LGBT persons, organizations, and allies.
- Operates in downstate Illinois (excludes eight named counties).
- Supports scholarships and small organization grants for education, health, and civil rights.

Scholarships

The Acorn Equality Fund scholarship program awards individual students to support post‑secondary education. Awards are competitive and distributed across several named scholarships that emphasize academic achievement, volunteerism, advocacy, public health interest, financial need, or hardship depending on the specific scholarship. Applicants must reside within the Fund’s service area and attend an accredited post‑secondary institution. Award amounts and total program funding are limited, so applicants should review the categories and their own fit before applying.

**Eligibility**
Applicants must retain permanent residence in the Fund’s service area (see Acorn Equality Fund section) and be enrolled at any accredited post‑secondary educational institution.

**Award categories**
Scholarships are awarded in six named categories (Acorn and Feeney; Central Illinois Friends; Korty & Morton; Luke; McKeon; Weber‑Tucker), each with distinct selection criteria such as academics, advocacy, volunteerism, public health interest, financial need, or hardship.

**Award value**
Individual awards generally range from $1,000 to $4,000, with total scholarship funding capped at approximately $40,000 per cycle.

Key takeaways
- Six scholarship categories with different criteria (academics, advocacy, need, hardship, public health, volunteerism).
- Individual awards typically $1,000–$4,000; total scholarships ≈ $40,000.
- Applicants must live in the Fund’s service area and attend an accredited post‑secondary institution.

Organization Grants

Acorn Equality Fund also makes small grants to organizations that serve LGBT people and allies in downstate Illinois, focusing on education, health, or civil‑rights work. Grants are intended to be project‑specific and sized to meet clearly articulated needs rather than large, ongoing operating support. Applicants should request an amount appropriate to the scope of the project and provide project details to justify the request. Funding availability can vary by calendar year.

**Eligibility**
Organizations must operate within the Fund’s service area and propose activities that support education, health, or civil‑rights outcomes for LGBT persons and allies.

**Award value**
Typical grant awards range from $500 to $1,500; applicants should request an amount proportional to project needs.

**Funding availability**
The Fund indicates available funds for each calendar year; interested organizations should confirm current availability before applying.

Key takeaways
- Grants target organizational projects that advance education, health, or civil rights for LGBT communities.
- Typical grant size: $500–$1,500; request the amount appropriate to the project.
- Confirm current year funding availability before preparing an application.

Application Timeline

The Fund follows an annual cycle for scholarships and maintains a rolling/annual approach to organization grants depending on available funds. For the 2026 scholarship cycle, applications will be posted in May 2026; scholarship recipients are notified in early November, and awards are publicly announced and presented at the Fund’s Family Breakfast in December. Organization grant availability is announced as funds are allocated for the calendar year; for 2026 the Fund currently reports funds are available.

**Scholarship cycle**
Applications available in May; recipients notified in early November; awards presented in December.

**Organization grants timing**
Grant availability is announced for each calendar year; applicants should verify current availability and submission deadlines.

Key takeaways
- 2026 scholarship applications available in May 2026.
- Scholarship recipients notified early November; awards presented at a December Family Breakfast.
- Organization grant availability is announced yearly; confirm timelines before applying.