2022 Grant Application Information

Since the founding of Chicago Shares, the pattern has been that only about 80% of the Chicago Shares sold to churches and individuals are actually redeemed at a participating merchant.  Thus at the end of each year there is usually a surplus of cash from the unredeemed 15-20%.  Once this cash reaches a high enough threshold, the Chicago Shares Board of Directors then votes on how much can safely be awarded as grants to other organizations while still remaining financially sound and allowing for contingencies. 
The process described below describes how the grant award program will work.

Eligible Organizations
Non-profit entities that have a mission similar to Chicago Shares will be considered candidates for a grant. A similar mission is one that helps the poor and hungry of Chicago. The organization can accomplish this mission in a variety of complementary ways (shelters, life skills training, food banks, soup kitchens, etc.) and doesn’t necessarily need to be the same concept as Chicago Shares.

Funding Availability
Once the amount of "excess" cash is designated and approved by the Board of Directors with the advice and counsel of the Treasurer, the number and amount of each grant that will be awarded that year is made public. This process takes place shortly after the close of the fiscal year and the books are balanced.  

GRANT AWARDS AMOUNT: Individual grants may range from $1,000 to $10,000.  

Application and Review Process

1. Applications: Chicago Shares will announce a call for applications from potential grantees in Chicago.  This information and the deadline for applications will be available on the website and social media accounts, and emails sent to participating churches or previous awardees.  Board members and officers are also able to make recommendations of appropriate organizations. Applications will be accepted online (access the application here) and will consist of:

• Organization’s Name
• Mission
• Structure (ex. staff, facilities, etc)
• Area Served / Population Served (i.e. Chicago Loop, only women, all   Chicago, etc.)
• Previous year’s budget
• Percent of budget used for administrative expenses (including salary)
• Description of intended use for such a grant 

2. Selection: The Chicago Shares team will review the applications, and determine which meet the eligibility criteria. The Executive Director will then make a recommendation to the Board as to which applicants should receive a grant. The Board will review the recommendations (and all eligible applications if desired) and vote on which organization should receive a grant (based on the number of grants to be distributed that year). A board member with a relationship to the nominated organization must recuse himself or herself from the voting on a grant award.

3. Award: The awardees will be notified in writing and a mutually convenient date arranged to present the check in person. If this is not possible, the check will be mailed to the organization.  

4. Publicity: Efforts will be made to maximize the PR value of these awards and a press release will be prepared and sent to appropriate publications. Photographs will be uploaded to the website, if all parties are in agreement.   ​

Submit an Application