The Northern Trust Foundation is offering grants aimed at supporting nonprofit organizations that serve low-income youth (ages 16-24) on the South and West Sides of Chicago. Through this initiative, the Foundation seeks to improve health equity by providing funding for programs that address vital community needs such as food security, affordable housing, educational excellence, and accessible healthcare. By helping organizations build their capacity, the Northern Trust Foundation is working to create sustainable, long-term improvements in the health, education, and well-being of underserved youth in Chicago.

The Foundation’s funding priorities include supporting organizations that provide direct services to youth in these communities. Specifically, the Foundation seeks to fund programs that help young people overcome barriers to education, housing, healthcare, and nutrition, and that contribute to their overall economic and personal success. The Foundation places a strong emphasis on funding programs that serve vulnerable populations such as low-income youth, communities of color, and those furthest from health equity, such as those in rural or isolated areas.

Organizations are eligible to apply for up to three consecutive years of funding, after which they are ineligible for grants for one year. This gives nonprofits the chance to grow their programs with steady funding while ensuring that funds are allocated effectively. The program aligns with Northern Trust’s corporate values of diversity, equity, and inclusion, aiming to address systemic challenges faced by youth in Chicago.

The funding supports innovative programs, especially those that demonstrate long-term impact in improving access to basic needs like food, housing, education, and healthcare for youth in Chicago’s South and West Sides. Organizations applying for funding will be expected to demonstrate strong leadership and the capacity to create lasting change in the community.