Megan Butz Legacy of Hope

Grant Application

At the Megan Butz Legacy of Hope, our mission is to strengthen the lives of at-risk youth and young adults so they may navigate the path to adulthood via mental health programming, education, and support. We support programs that address challenging mental health issues like depression, anxiety, loneliness, and suicide.

Applications are accepted online from August through December and the Grant Committee reviews all grant requests from organizations . If you have inquiries on our process or have any special requests, please email Grants@MegsLegacyofHope.org.

The following parameters apply to grants:

  • Must be services aimed specifically at mental health support for anxiety, depression, and suicide prevention for youth through young adults.
  • Must be a community, state or federal based organization in the Greater Chicago area with 501c3 status.
  • Will be available for phone or on-site interviews as necessary during grant review period.
  • Will have a detailed plan for how to spend funds within a 12-month timeframe following grant disbursement. (The timeline of completion for related projects within the grant can reach up to 2 years following grant disbursement.)

Any questions? Contact us at Grants@MegsLegacyofHope.org

Meg’s Legacy of Hope welcomes your grant application through December 15, 2025.
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Thanks to your generous support, these are the 2025 grant recipients:

ELYSSA’S MISSION
Grant: Provides evidence-based SOS Signs of Suicide program to 7 new middle schools or high schools for the 2025-2026 school year.
Action: Teach students action steps (ACT) if they are concerned about self or friends: ACKNOWLEDGE warning signs, CARE for them, TELL a trusted adult.

JOSSELYN
Grant: Provides funding for Josselyn’s Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), which delivers a high level of care in group settings, located in a welcoming, youth-focused space in Grayslake.
Action: Trauma-informed and evidence-based treatment is provided for children and teens for 6-8 weeks of intensive programming, special skills plus family sessions.

JUVENILE PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION
Grant: Funds school-based therapy for underserved children in Chicago neighborhoods.
Action: Bring mental health services to struggling
communities, so no child struggles alone.

YOUTH & FAMILY COUNSELING
Grant: Provides mental healthcare counseling to underserved, even if unable to afford services.
Action: With two-thirds of clients under the age of 25, this funding will have a direct impact on children and adolescents who might otherwise go without care in Lake County.

PARTNERS FOR OUR COMMUNITIES

Grant: Provides mental health services for under-resourced students living in poverty.

Action: The Skyward Bound program reaches young adults facing serious mental health challenges. By offering accessible, culturally-responsive counseling services, POC can intervene early, reduce the risk of suicide, and support long-term healing.

WILLOW HOUSE

Grant: Provides grief support and education for youth and family grieving the death of a parent/sibling/child.

Action: Offer a safe place and community for bereavement in the Peer Support Group, especially Survivors of Suicide (SOS), to help prevent the risk of suicide, substance use, and other risk factors that young people may face from unattended grief.

CARMEL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

Grant: Develop a new, comprehensive mental health and wellness education program for the entire student body of 1200, plus staff.

Action: Guest speaker on mental wellness will deliver “Fearless Inside” to the entire student body in Fall 2025. Afterwards, all staff and student leaders will receive suicide prevention training.

Thanks to your generous support, these are the 2024 grant recipients:

  • Barrington Youth and Family Services
  • Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute
  • Partners for Our Communities
  • St. Anthony’s Hospital