When Meg’s Legacy of Hope started 18 months ago, our Board of Directors decided we could make the most significant impact for mental health by serving as a funding resource to grant funds to programs in the greater Chicagoland area that do the vital day-to-day work of counseling and working with young people needing assistance. We support not-for-profit programs that address and assist mental health issues like depression, anxiety, loneliness, and suicide. Last year we granted $97,000.
The 2024 open grant cycle just closed, and the Grant Committee accepted new submissions from September through December 2024. Our team is now busy evaluating all the proposals. We will be granting approximately $200,000 in this cycle, and the award announcements for the funding will be publicized in Spring 2025.
Our overriding goal in providing grants is selecting programs that align closely to the mission and goals of Meg’s Legacy of Hope. Last summer we established an online portal to accept grant requests. Sharon Aspinall led this important effort and says, “the new process is an improvement since it streamlines information gathered, and everyone is responding to the same questions.”
Growing and improving the Grant Committee was a 2024 goal, and we are excited to announce that Ken Edwards is now directing the Grant Committee. Ken is “proud to coordinate and drive our mission in supporting mental health. I am looking forward to bringing my 35 years of corporate experience to facilitate an efficient, thorough, and proactive grant process.” Sincere appreciation goes out to this entire committee who so thoughtfully evaluate and consider all proposals: Sharon Aspinall, Dr. Beth Sherman, Psy.D., Susan Stoga, Peter Schwarzbach, Monica Thigpen, Brandon Verwijst, and Joe Villinski, along with our advisory team including Carol Angelescu, LCSW, and Dr. Liz Thompson, Psy.D., plus the Butz family.
If you are aware of programs that may align with our goals for this audience, please be sure to share our organization’s mission with them. As a new player in the field of supporting the mental health of youth, Meg’s Legacy is looking for new and expansive ways to help make a difference and improve young lives.
Meg’s Legacy is always open to evaluate “spot grants” if we receive requests for assistance, even if they are outside the open grant enrollment. Please email details or inquiries to us at [email protected].
