Spring is an exciting time for Meg’s Legacy of Hope as we announce our 2025 grant awards. Although only in our second year, Meg’s Legacy is becoming a recognized organization for granting funds in the mental health community. This is reflected in the growing number of applicants and our new connections with great organizations making an impact on improving the mental health of youth throughout the Chicago area.
Meg’s Legacy nearly doubled our grants in 2025, awarding $170,000 to non-profit organizations, all thanks to your very generous donations! Your financial support is making this happen, and together we are impacting the lives and mental health of our younger generation with your ongoing gifts.
Much appreciation to the grant committee who carefully and thoughtfully evaluated and selected seven grant recipients. We look forward to growing our partnerships with these groups to support their important missions in improving and saving lives. The impressive quality of all the organizations who requested consideration for grants is humbling, and we will grant even more programs in the future.
Growing with our grantees in 2025 means Meg’s Legacy can fulfill our mission to strengthen the lives of at-risk youth so they may be mentally healthy and receive mental health programming and support if needed. As you read more about our grant recipients this year, you will learn about their efforts which align with ours: help create access to mental health for youth, destigmatize the need to ask for help, raise awareness around suicide, and help those who grieve the loss of a loved one.
As I write this letter, a female cardinal is perched on the feeder outside my window staring inside, which I have come to believe is Meg saying “Hi, Dad.” I feel Meg’s presence in these moments, and it reminds me of the kind works she did in her too-short life to make a difference for the young people she helped in her volunteer work. Those memories of her teaching catechism to 3rd graders, coaching basketball to 6th grade girls, or getting into Big Brothers Big Sisters are the good things we like to remember when we miss her most. Meg’s volunteer work fuels us to do the same.
It is National Volunteer Month, and we recognize and thank the enthusiastic and dedicated board of directors and ambassadors who are working on behalf of Meg’s Legacy. Also, we extend a warm welcome to our growing list of advisors and volunteers, to whom we are so grateful. As an all-volunteer organization, we are individually committed to helping those around us, and in doing so, carry on Megan’s mission. If you feel a connection to our mission at Meg’s Legacy and you would like to volunteer, please reach out: [email protected].
God Bless you for your support, donations and your own good works. Together we can make a difference.
Larry Butz
