
Success Stories
Over the years, we have had the good fortune to see our funding not only put to good use, but also to see it grow into sustainable and replicable projects. Our grantees have had great success in making a real impact with the money that we’ve awarded.
Many grantmakers focus only on services delivered directly to challenged populations. One thing that distinguishes First Nonprofit is that we frequently award grants that help nonprofits improve their internal processes and practices. For example, one of our grants helped a Chicago nonprofit streamline its workflows to reduce paper consumption by 1.25 million sheets annually. That’s the equivalent of 150 trees each year. The organization also saved significant staff time as a result of the project, multiplying their savings substantially.
First Nonprofit believes that helping nonprofits work more efficiently and effectively is crucial, because every dollar a nonprofit can save through increased efficiency or better practices is another dollar they can use to provide needed services.
Read more about the difference our grantees have made through the success stories below.

VisionServe Alliance: Internship Program
VisionServe Alliance is a consortium of Executive Directors and CEOs of 501(c)(3) nonprofits throughout the country that provide services to people with vision loss. VisionServe Alliance brings together the full diversity…
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UCAN: Going Paperless Project
UCAN, a Chicago-based nonprofit with 515 employees, strives to build strong youth and families through compassionate healing, education and empowerment. It achieves this mission through a comprehensive assortment of programs,…
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The Nonprofit Risk Management Center: Risk Management Audits
The Nonprofit Risk Management Center, widely known as NoRMaC, provides risk management education, training and information to nonprofits and community based organizations. Its mission is to help nonprofit leaders to identify…
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