Micro Grants Program: Funding Youth Empowerment

Micro-Grants Program

Image Of a street and trees
Overview

In June 2024, the Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS), in partnership with SGA Youth and Family Services, awarded $600,000 in micro-grants to 62 community-based organizations across 15 My CHI. My Future (MCMF) community strategy regions. This program addressed the COVID-19 pandemic-related effects on young people and communities across the City’s most impacted regions. DFSS used data tools, including the Chicago Community Vulnerability Index and the UIC Chicago Community Area Economic Hardship Index, to guide investments in youth employment, arts initiatives, and career exploration activities.

Additionally, it helped bridge the gap in access to city resources through targeted outreach, a user-friendly application, and ongoing capacity-building assistance, enabling many organizations to receive financial support from the City.

Impact & Highlights

The micro-grants program resulted in:

Investments in Smaller Organizations 

  • More than 70% of the organizations awarded grants had not contracted with DFSS in the last decade.

Investments in Communities

  • Funds went to neighborhoods disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and economic hardships. Neighborhoods included Back of the Yards, Auburn Gresham, Austin, and more.
 
Resources

Below are additional links to learn more about this initiative or engaging materials you can share with your community. For example, if you are part of an education institution, use our case study one pagers to share with your peers or students.