Polk Bros. Foundation Grant

Polk Bros. Foundation’s primary focus is support for efforts that address poverty’s complex roots and devastating effects, and which benefit populations of need in disinvested Chicago communities. Very few awards are made to organizations located outside the city of Chicago. Grants are made for both new and ongoing initiatives in six program categories: strong communities, strong families, education, health, arts access and learning, and enhanced capacity. In all areas, proposals should address increased access to services, systems-level change and improvement in the quality of life for area residents.

Initiatives funded within each program categories are as follows:

• Strong Communities: workforce development, housing, community and economic development, legal services, safe communities
• Strong Families: youth and family support, including positive youth development, resilient families, and family violence prevention and remediation
• Education: school improvement and student academic success
• Health: school-based services and community-based health services
• Arts Access & Learning: school-based programs and community-based programs
• Enhanced Capacity: strengthening sectors for efforts that focus on technical assistance, systems integration, collaboration, or advocacy to create resources, improve policies, and facilitate an effective environment

Grant Amounts:

• Up to $25,000 (organizational budget of $75,000-$500,000) or $25,000+ (organizational budget greater than $500,000)
• Up to 5 consecutive grants through the small grants program (organizational budget of $75,000-$500,000)