Two local nonprofits are among 10 organizations sharing nearly $180,000 in state grants awarded to small groups that provide food assistance and job training across Illinois.
Synapse House, a brain-injury rehabilitation nonprofit at 3130 Finley Rd. in Downers Grove, received a $10,000 Charitable Trust grant. The ACE Project Inc., a youth-development organization based in Westmont, received $20,000. State Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced the grants, totaling $178,210, at a news conference at Synapse House on Tuesday, Oct. 20, according to a press release from the Treasurer's Office.
"We have a great example right here at Synapse House, which has served more than 430 people who have experienced a brain injury, stroke, or other neurological condition," Frerichs said in the statement. "In addition, Synapse House has an 86 percent success rate at placing clients through its Supported Employment Program."
Synapse House Executive Director Deborah Giesler said the $10,000 grant will fund training modules for careers in customer service, janitorial services and food service. The organization helps individuals return to paid employment after a brain injury or stroke, a process Giesler said can take two to three years.
State Sen. Laura Ellman, D-Naperville, said in the Treasurer's announcement that Synapse House "makes such an important difference for individuals and families in our community."
Synapse House, founded in 2012, is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) for community integration and employment services, according to the organization's website. It operates Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Charitable Trust Stabilization Fund supports nonprofits with annual budgets of $1 million or less and at least one full-time employee. The money comes from fees that larger nonprofit corporations pay when filing annual reports with the Illinois Secretary of State, not from personal or property tax dollars, according to the Treasurer's Office.
An independent committee selected the 10 recipients from 75 applicants. The maximum award is $20,000 per organization. Since its launch, the program has awarded $5.4 million through 271 grants to 215 organizations in 77 Illinois cities, the Treasurer's Office said.
The other eight recipients are Feeding Our Kids in Champaign, Standing Stone Community Center in Charleston, Center for Companies That Care in Chicago, Chicago Filmmakers, LEAP Learning Systems in Chicago, Plant Chicago, 724 Ministries in Murphysboro and Franklin County Senior Services in West Frankfort.
The next application period runs Jan. 1 through March 31, 2027, for programs in food and economic or workforce development. More information is available on the Treasurer's Office website.
