Advocate Bethany Community Health Fund

Geographic Scope: West Side of Chicago, specifically four targeted communities:

• Austin
• Garfield Park
• Humboldt Park (extended boundaries to include East Humboldt Park east to Western Avenue)
• North Lawndale

Focus Areas: Programs must address one or more of these priority areas:

• Diabetes: Age-adjusted death rate due to diabetes mellitus is 73.3% higher than Chicago rate
• School Dropout Prevention: School-dropout rate at age 16 is 20.2-36.5% higher than Chicago rate
• Violence Prevention: Age-adjusted death rate due to assault (homicide) is 101% higher than Chicago rate
• Workforce Development: Unemployment rate among civilian population age 16+ is 36-155% higher than Chicago rate

Core Values: Organizations must demonstrate commitment to one or more core values:

• Individual and community-wide dignity
• Investing in and promoting community institutions
• Family (traditional and non-traditional units)
• Faith and spirituality

Eligibility:

• Nonprofit organizations
• Must be located within Bethany Fund Communities boundaries
• Must share Bethany Fund core values
• Must demonstrate commitment to using community assets to promote positive community development
• Must identify and incorporate community assets into programming

What They Fund:

• Programs promoting health and wellness and their determinants
• School dropout prevention initiatives
• Violence prevention programs
• Workforce development programs
• Diabetes education and management programs

Contact Information:

• Ina N. Owens, LCSW, Vice President, Office of Grants and Program Development: ina.owens@aah.org (630-929-6928)
• Tameeka Christian, Manager, Advocate Bethany Community Health Fund: tameeka.christian@aah.org (630-929-6918)
• Advocate Charitable Foundation: 630-929-9900 (phone), 630-929-9900 (fax)
• Office Address: RML Chicago, 3435 W. Van Buren, Chicago, IL 60624

Total Funding Provided: Over $9 million awarded to local organizations through 2018

Application Process

Current Status: As of 2019, the LOI process for new applicants is suspended. Only current grantees (organizations that received awards in 2018 for implementation in 2019) may apply for continued funding.

For Current Grantees:

1. Email notification with application instructions sent to eligible organizations
2. Access online grant portal for current grantees only
3. Applications become available beginning July 31 each funding year

For New Applicants:
Unfortunately, new applicants are not eligible to apply for Bethany Fund grants at this time. The Board is undergoing strategic planning to reassess grantmaking strategy.

Required Components (historical process):

• Letter of Intent (LOI) submission
• Identification of community assets to be leveraged
• Demonstration of how program addresses one or more priority areas
• Alignment with core values (dignity, community investment, family, faith/spirituality)
• Program implementation plan within targeted communities