Meg's Legacy of Hope Grant Program

Meg's Legacy of Hope is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago (Lake Zurich, IL) that provides funding to not-for-profit organizations addressing and strengthening mental health services for youth and young adults in the Greater Chicagoland area.

Mission: To strengthen the lives of at-risk teens and young adults without resources so they may navigate the path to adulthood via mental health programming and support.

Geographic Scope: Greater Chicagoland area (Chicago and collar counties), with focus on underserved communities

Target Population:

• Youth and young adults ages 12-24 years old
• Particularly at-risk youth and those without resources
• Underserved and vulnerable populations

Focus Areas: Organizations must provide counseling and mental health programs addressing:

• Preferred causes: Mental health support, suicide awareness and prevention, coaching and life skills
• Issues addressed: Depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, loneliness, post-traumatic stress, adjustment disorder, suicide prevention
• Populations served: Youth ages 14-24+ (at-risk teens and young adults)

What They Fund:

• School-based counseling and therapy programs
• Drop-in counseling services
• On-site mental health treatment at schools and community centers
• Crisis intervention services
• Bilingual and multilingual counseling services
• Programs serving low-income and underserved youth
• Programs addressing trauma and poverty-related mental health issues

What They Don't Fund:

• Not explicitly stated in provided materials

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization
• Must provide direct counseling and mental health services to youth and young adults
• Must align closely with Meg's Legacy mission and goals
• Must serve Greater Chicagoland area
• Programs serving youth ages 14-24 (18+ preferred in earlier cycles, but expanded to younger ages)

Funding History:

• 2023: $25,000 initial grant
• 2024 Cycle: $122,000 awarded ($12,000-$35,000 per grant)
• 2025 Cycle: Approximately $200,000 available
• Total awarded through 2024: $122,000+
• 2025: $170,000 awarded (referenced in site content)

Background:
Meg's Legacy of Hope was founded by Larry and Mary Jo Butz in June 2023 in remembrance of their daughter Megan, who died suddenly at age 26. The organization is a 100% volunteer-run nonprofit, meaning all donations go directly to funding grants. As of the founding, 4.8 million people in Illinois live in communities without enough mental health professionals, making treatment difficult or impossible.

Contact Information:

• Email: Grants@MegsLegacyofHope.org
• Website: megslegacyofhope.org
• Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn (@megslegacyofhope)

Grant Committee:

• Director: Ken Edwards
• Members: Sharon Aspinall, Dr. Beth Sherman (Psy.D.), Susan Stoga, Peter Schwarzbach, Monica Thigpen, Brandon Verwijst, Joe Villinski
• Advisory: Carol Angelescu (LCSW), Dr. Liz Thompson (Psy.D.), Butz family

Special Notes:

• Organization considers "spot grants" for urgent requests outside regular cycle
• Quantifiable evaluation method for scoring proposals
• Online portal for submissions streamlines the process

Application Process

Submission Method:

• Online portal (established summer 2024)
• Email inquiries to: Grants@MegsLegacyofHope.org

Grant Cycle Timeline (2025 example):

• Submission period: September - December 2024
• Evaluation period: January - Spring
• Award announcements: Spring (typically April-May)

Required Materials:

• Grant application form via online portal
• Responses to standardized questions (same for all applicants)
• Organization information and documentation
• Program description and impact metrics
• Budget and funding details
• Evidence of 501(c)(3) status

Application Questions/Narrative:

• Not specifically detailed in provided materials, but applications address:
  • How the program aligns with Meg's Legacy mission
  • Target population served (ages, demographics, challenges)
  • Types of mental health services provided
  • Program outcomes and impact metrics
  • Number of youth served
  • Budget breakdown and use of funds

Evaluation Criteria:

• Alignment with Meg's Legacy mission and goals
• Direct impact on mental health outcomes for youth and young adults
• Evidence of serving underserved/at-risk populations
• Program effectiveness and outcomes
• Financial need and responsible use of funds
• Quantifiable scoring method applied by Grant Committee

Special Considerations:

• "Spot grants" considered outside regular cycle for urgent requests
• Open to new and expansive program ideas
• Preference for organizations not currently funded

Contact for Questions:
Grants@MegsLegacyofHope.org