Invest for Kids General Grant Program

Geographic Scope: Chicago area
Mission: Foster a rich ecosystem of organizations that lift up Chicago's most in-need youth from early childhood through college and career

Focus Areas

• Education
• Mentoring
• Enrichment
• College access and career readiness
• Health & physical fitness
• Social services

Target Organizations

• Chicago area nonprofits serving youth in low-income circumstances
• Organizations with budgets between $1-5 million
• Smaller organizations where grants can have highest impact

Eligibility Criteria

• Serve Chicago area youth in low-income circumstances
• Maintained a budget between $1 million – $5 million during last fiscal year
• Been in existence for at least 3 years
• Qualify as a 501(c)(3) charity under the Internal Revenue Code
• Charter schools authorized by the Chicago Board of Education or State of Illinois are eligible regardless of annual budget size
• Prior grant recipients are welcome to apply again after a one-year waiting period

Selection Process

• Initial screening of applications to narrow applicant pool
• Thorough interviews with organization leadership
• Site visits (on occasion)
• Reference and fact checking
• Grantees announced in August
• Grant checks distributed in December

Application Process

1. Preview Questions: Applicants can preview grant application questions in advance before submitting
2. Submit Application: Complete application and submit by deadline
3. Application Portal: Applications submitted through online portal at investforkidschicago.org

Timeline

• Deadline: Friday, February 27th (annual)
• Grantees Announced: August
• Grant Distribution: December

Required Materials

• Standard application form (specific required materials not detailed in provided content)
• Organization must demonstrate:
- Quality programming - Strong leadership - Dedicated board - Measurable results