Boeing Employees Community Fund (ECF) – Chicago Chapter Grants (2026)
Employee-Funded Grants Supporting Chicago & Northwest Indiana Communities
The Chicago Chapter of the Boeing Employees Community Fund (ECF) provides grants to local nonprofit organizations through employee contributions. Boeing covers all administrative costs, ensuring that 100% of employee donations are distributed directly to nonprofits serving communities where Boeing employees live and work.
Organization: Boeing Employees Community Fund (ECF) – Chicago Chapter
Support Type: Charitable project grants
Grant Size: Typically $3,000–$10,000
Geographic Focus: Chicago metropolitan area and parts of Northwest Indiana
Program Link:
https://www.boeing.com/content/dam/boeing/boeingdotcom/principles/community-engagement/pdf/ecf/Chicago-ECF.pdf
About the Funder
The Boeing Employees Community Fund is an employee-owned and employee-managed nonprofit charitable organization. Grants are made possible through regular donations from Boeing employees who pool their resources to create meaningful, lasting community impact. Because ECF does not fund organizations on an ongoing basis, funded projects must be sustainable beyond the grant period.
Applicants referred by Boeing employees who contribute to the Chicago Chapter are prioritized.
Focus Areas
The Chicago Chapter supports established nonprofit organizations working in the following areas:
- Arts & Culture
- Education
- Environment
- Health & Human Services
Priority is given to programs that are:
- Sustainable
- Scalable
- Replicable beyond the funding period
Organizations are evaluated based on mission alignment, community impact, organizational history, and success of recent initiatives.
Geographic Requirements
- Applicants must be based in and serving communities where Boeing employees live and work
- Eligible service areas include Chicago and the surrounding metropolitan area, as well as parts of Northwest Indiana
- All grant funds must directly benefit these local communities
Grant Amounts
- Typical Awards: $3,000–$10,000
- Final award sizes depend on project scope, quality of applications, and total employee contributions available
Organization Eligibility
To apply, organizations must:
- Be a 501(c)(3) public charity in good standing
- Have held 501(c)(3) status for at least two years
- Be in good financial standing
- Provide services that are open to all without discrimination
- Not have received an ECF grant within the past two years
- Have submitted all required impact reports for any prior ECF grants
Grant recipients must comply with all applicable U.S. and international laws and regulations.
Ineligible Organizations & Uses
ECF does not fund:
- Pass-through organizations
- Political organizations or programs
- Public or private schools
- Fraternal, sectarian, social, religious, or parent/teacher organizations
- Religious activities intended to further religious doctrine
- Sports or recreational activities
- Scholarships, fellowships, or grants to individuals
- Private foundations
- Capital campaigns, endowments, or memorials
- Sponsorships, fundraisers, benefits, conferences, or advertising
- Hospitals, hospital foundations, medical research, or health awareness campaigns
- Trips, tours, or travel
- General operating expenses (e.g., salaries, utilities, insurance)
Application Requirements
Applicants must complete an electronic application that includes:
- Grant proposal and written grant agreement
- Mission statement
- Governing board members and affiliations
- Top five highest-paid staff members
- Breakdown of funding sources
- Detailed project description and community need
- Expected outcomes and number of beneficiaries
Required Documentation:
- Organizational operating budget
- IRS Form 990 and/or audited financial statements
- Project budget
- IRS determination letter
How to Apply
If you have previously applied for an ECF or Boeing grant:
- Visit https://boeing.smartsimple.com/s_Login.jsp
- Log in or select “Forgot Password”
- Update your organization profile
- Initiate and complete the Chicago ECF application
If you have never applied:
- Email BoeingChicagoECF@boeing.com to request system access
Timeline & Review
- Application Cycle: Rolling, year-round
- Deadlines: None
- Review Type: Competitive review based on alignment and available employee contributions
Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit
This opportunity is ideal for organizations that:
- Serve Chicago-area or Northwest Indiana communities
- Are seeking project-based (not operating) funding
- Can demonstrate sustainability beyond the grant period
- Align with arts, education, environment, or human services priorities
- Have a connection to or referral from a Boeing employee
Corporate Grants Guide Notes
- Grant Type: Employee-funded project grants
- Typical Award: $3,000–$10,000
- Reapplication Rule: Two-year wait between awards
- Best Suited For: Established Chicago-area nonprofits with scalable projects
