Grant Information

The Hulsebosch Hope Foundation (HHF) seeks to provide program grants to mid-sized, growth-oriented 501(c)(3) public charities in the City of Chicago that offer effective programs to enhance life and opportunity in under-resourced communities, particularly on the south and west sides of the city. 

HHF Focus Areas & Goals

  • Good Health & Well-Being

    - Expanding access to preventive healthcare for children in families with limited resources

    - Increasing access to mental health services for all

  • Quality Education

    - Supporting after-school programs

    - Enhancing early childhood education (ages 0-3)

  • Meaningful Work & Economic Growth

    - Promoting workforce and entrepreneurship training

    - Improving financial literacy to promote economic empowerment

HHF Program Grant Eligibility

To be considered for an HHF program grant, first-time applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) public charity primarily serving under-resourced communities, particularly on the south and west sides of the city.

  • Have an annual organizational budget between $150,000 and $5,000,000 for the previous year.

  • Demonstrate a commitment to expanding impact within underserved communities, particularly on Chicago’s south and west sides.

Additionally, proposed programs must align with one or more of the following focus areas:

  • Afterschool programs that operate Monday through Friday, between 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM, during the CPS school year (September–June).

  • Early childhood programming (ages 0–3) focused on early intervention, including social-emotional learning (SEL), literacy, and health/IEP screenings.

  • Preventative medical care for children, including screenings, vaccinations, physicals, and chronic disease management.

  • Trauma-informed mental health care for all, through a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), utilizing evidence-based practices.

  • Entrepreneurship support, including access to capital, training, and networking opportunities.

  • Workforce training programs that are designed to support women, single parents, minorities, previously incarcerated individuals, and English-language learners.

  • Financial literacy programs that promote economic empowerment for families.

HHF is unable to support funding requests for the following:

  • Scholarships

  • Programs operating exclusively on weekends or during the summer

  • High school or college mentorship programs

  • Mental health programs without a trained clinician (e.g., a licensed clinical social worker)

  • Organizations that do not primarily serve underserved populations

  • Chicago chapters of national nonprofits

  • Reducing operating deficits or settling existing debts

  • Projects solely focused on creating or distributing audio, visual, or printed materials

  • Programs centered exclusively on conferences, multi-week summer camps, festivals, exhibitions, or meetings

New Grant Applicant Calendar | 2025

  • March 12 - April 30

    Submit prospective grantee survey*

    (Completed)

  • June 2

    HHF program grant invitations are sent to selected organizations

    (Completed)

  • July 11

    Selected organization grant application deadline

    (Completed)

  • Mid-July — Mid-September

    Site visits

  • By October 1

    Decision notifications

  • October

    Grant awards distributed

    Upon completion of Grant Award Agreement

*Organizations that meet the qualifications and have completed the prospective grantee survey by April 30 will receive an HHF update regarding your request to apply for a program grant by June 2, 2025.

Returning Grantee Application Calendar | 2025

  • March 12 - May 7

    Application period

    (Completed)

  • Starting June 2

    Grant awards distributed

    (Completed)

Further Inquiries?

Send us a note or follow HHF on LinkedIn or Instagram to stay informed about future program grant opportunities!