Northwestern Medicine grant initiatives directly impacting local communities throughout Chicagoland

Northwestern Medicine serves patients across Illinois, and to better assist the diverse needs of individual communities, the health system’s grant initiative was created to help address disparities highlighted in local Community Health Needs Assessments.

This year alone, more than 300 organizations have received Northwestern Medicine grants, totaling more than $16.3 million.

“Our goal is to collaborate and support local agencies to address healthcare disparities across all socioeconomic backgrounds,” said Posh Charles, senior vice president, Northwestern Memorial HealthCare. “We sought out organizations who are truly making a difference by removing barriers to better health.”

On July 31, Northwestern Medicine hosted an event to recognize the grant recipients. Organization leaders joined together to meet and brainstorm with other community groups to find ways to better support the needs of the communities.

Northwestern Medicine recently awarded more than $4.6 million to 152 organizations that applied for Northwestern Medicine competitive grants. The grants were awarded to groups that offer a wide range of services including housing, nutritional needs, transportation, childcare, and more access to mental health and primary care.

“Northwestern Medicine is committed to supporting our community partners that work tirelessly to serve those in need,” said Charles. “The number of organizations that were awarded competitive grants has more than tripled since this initiative launched just 3 years ago, and we are pleased to continue our support for these local groups across the Chicagoland area.”

The beneficiaries of the community competitive grants range in size and scope from across the area, from The Grace Network, an organization supporting thousands of Chicago students who face hygiene insecurity, to Pathlights, with a mission to help guide older adults, adults with disabilities, their caregivers, families, and friends along their best path to aging by providing resources, advocacy, programs, and services needed to live with independence and dignity in the community.

The grant funding for The Grace Network is allowing them to expand into Lake County, where data shows a significant need for students coming to school and lacking the basic hygiene supplies to make them feel comfortable getting through the day at school. Currently they serve schools throughout the city of Chicago.

“Data shows close to 15% of all Chicago Public School students will experience homelessness at some point in their education,” said Sarah Airola, president and founder of The Grace Network. “If we want to see equity and diversity within our universities and workplaces, we need to start supporting students facing adversity at the most basic level. We will now be able to make an impact and supply additional schools with much-needed basic supplies for them to distribute to their students in need. We believe every student has a right to be in school feeling confident and ready to learn.”

Chad Pedigo, vice president of development at DuPage Pads, an organization assisting people who are unsheltered in the community, spoke at the event, educating attendees about their mission to help those in need and introducing the first hotel-to-interim housing conversion initiative in Illinois.

“Seeing how closely aligned and important housing is in healthcare, our partnership with Northwestern Medicine is more important than ever before,” said Pedigo. “The interim housing approach provides 300 beds, caring for men, women and children experiencing homelessness. By utilizing funds and support from Northwestern Medicine, we are not only able to better address their immediate health needs, but also assist with their ability to access healthcare, therefore improving the social determinants of health across our communities.”

In addition to grant funding, as part of Northwestern Medicine’s Team NM initiative, Northwestern Medicine employees build healthier communities through volunteer service and thoughtful actions, including helping to sort and label food at the Northern Illinois Food Bank, put together beds for Sleep in Heavenly Peace, and assemble heart-healthy care packages for patients at Tri-City Health Partnership.

For more information, please go to www.nm.org.