USA: Illinois: Oak Park, River Forest, and bordering communities including Austin, Berwyn, Cicero, Elmwood Park, Forest Park, Maywood, and Melrose Park
Grants of up to $7,500 to Illinois nonprofit organizations in eligible locations for programs and projects that benefit local youth. Youth must be involved with project organization, planning, and/or execution. Funding is intended for projects that provide a first-hand learning experience in decision-making and allocation of funds to charitable organizations. Grants may be used to support new programs or to expand existing programs. Eligible organizations are located in Oak Park, River Forest, and bordering communities including Austin, Berwyn, Cicero, Elmwood Park, Forest Park, Maywood, and Melrose Park.
The Future Philanthropist Program (FPP) provides high school students with the opportunity to learn how to be philanthropists and grantmakers. The Program is comprised of a select group of high school juniors who are engaged directly in the important role of community philanthropy. The purpose of FPP is to provide an intensive, year-long, hands-on learning experience through which they are taught the art, science, and business of philanthropy. FPP teens are solely responsible for making funding recommendations which are submitted to the Board of Directors of the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation. The students also evaluate the impact of their decisions on youth issues as a result of the grants they distribute and learn to raise funds in an effort to maintain this grant-making effort.
To be considered, the proposal must demonstrate that the following requirements are met:
The Future Philanthropists Program has four goals:
Estimated Total Program Funding:
Estimated Size of Grant:
The program or project must be completed prior to March 1, 2024.
Submit applications and direct questions to Karen Tardy, Program Coordinator, at fpp@oprfcf.org.
Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation
1049 Lake Street, Suite 204
Oak Park, IL 60301
708-848-1560