SBB Research Group recognizes three Chicago-area charities as the August 2021 finalists of its monthly grant program supporting impactful nonprofits during the COVID-19 pandemic (in alphabetical order): GiveNKind (Mundelein) collects donated goods from individuals and businesses and distributes them to other nonprofits. Keeping Families Covered (Waukegan) partners with local social service agencies to provide diapers and other essential items for families in need. Rebuilding Together North Suburban Chicago (Glenview) repairs homes at no cost to enable the homeowner to live safely and independently. These finalists will give brief presentations via videoconference to the investment firm's staff, who will ask questions to learn more about each of these important causes. The employees will then vote to allocate the company's awards. Each finalist will receive at least a $1,000 donation. Last month, The Firehouse Community Arts Center received a $5,000 grant to focus on violence prevention with at-risk youth and young adults. The funds will provide members with unique experiences outside of Chicago. In addition, the contribution will help to expand the workforce development program, allowing The Firehouse to offer individuals paid job opportunities. Any 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization is encouraged to apply at sbbrg.org/apply-for-grant. This story can be found on Business Wire

Will's Place received a $5,000 grant from the SBB Research Group Foundation, which awards monthly grants to support impactful organizations. Will's Place is a nonprofit organization that plans to open a Skokie-based café in Spring 2023. Founders Joan Hallagan and Cathy Maassen's goals are to provide a positive, safe, and inclusive work environment for adults with developmental challenges and offer quality menu items. "Maybe we don't all fit in the same place, but there should also be a place for us to go," said Joan Hallagan. "Every community should have a program like this; it is not just the kids that will benefit. People coming in and seeing a different type of employee is still a good thing. It might take a little more patience or a little bit more kindness, but it will be a good learning experience for everyone in our community." The café will teach their employees various food service-related skills with the help of volunteers and teachers. They also plan to use the café as a place for people to build new friendships and socialize with the community. The organization will use the SBB Research Group Foundation grant to help fund their 2,000 sq. ft commercial kitchen at the café. "Will's Place offers more than just employment. They provide a supportive community and a sense of belonging to people in our community," said Matt Aven, co-founder, and board member of the SBB Research Group Foundation. This story can be found on PR Web

The SBB Research Group Foundation invited six prior grant recipients to share updates on their critical efforts to support the local community. The Foundation awarded additional grants to further each of their missions (organizations listed alphabetically): Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois (Central Illinois) empowers community members facing low-income struggles by providing poverty-fighting initiatives and services for those in crisis. The initial grant provided additional toiletries and transportation services to their elderly constituents. Family Matters (Chicago) partners with youth and families in northeast Chicago, seeking to facilitate personal and collective justice and deliver meaningful social change to community members. The organization used the initial grant to develop additional lesson plans and curricula. Heartland Animal Shelter (Northbrook) is a Northbrook-based adoption shelter dedicated to finding permanent caring homes for homeless animals and educating the public about responsible pet ownership. The initial grant helped fund a volunteer coordinator and improve program tracking metrics. Mobile Care Chicago (Chicago) operates a fleet of mobile clinics that offer free medical and dental care to low-income families in the Chicago area. During the pandemic, the organization used the initial grant to bring testing, vaccination, and COVID education into the community. Share Our Spare (Chicago) collects and distributes essential baby items to families struggling with in poverty, helping their children thrive early in life. The initial grant enabled Share our Spare to increase the distribution of diapers by 60% during the pandemic. Simply Destinee (Aurora) saves lives by promoting mental health and raising awareness about suicide; their inspirational dance and art programs foster creativity and social-emotional learning. The initial grant extended dance programs focused on social and emotional learning during the pandemic. "These six grant recipients help the community in so many ways," said Matt Aven, co-founder and board member of the Foundation. "We are honored to further our partnerships with these organizations." To apply for a grant from the Foundation, please visit sbbrg.org/apply-for-grant. New grants are awarded each month and any 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization is encouraged to apply. This story can be found on Benzinga

The SBB Research Group Foundation recognizes three Chicago-area charities as the July 2022 finalists of its monthly grant program, which supports impactful nonprofits during the COVID-19 pandemic (in alphabetical order): By The Hand (Chicago, IL) is a holistic after-school program that helps kindergarten through college-aged students, in critical need of academic intervention, become successful in school and life. Reading Power (Lake Forest, IL) is an independent, individualized literacy program that works with underserved Lake County (Illinois) schools to provide one-on-one tutoring to children who are at risk in prekindergarten through second grade. The Simple Good (Chicago, IL) provides youth with art programs focused on mindfulness and social and emotional learning. The organization's mission empowers youth to become positive activists through art and discussion. In June, Peer Plus Education and Training Advocates and The Dragonfly Foundation each received a $5,000 grant from the SBB Research Group Foundation. Peer Plus Education and Training Advocates provide programs to educate and support underserved populations for various health issues. The organization will use the funds to support families in need of counseling services, utilities, food, rental assistance, medication, transportation, and supplies. The Dragonfly Foundation partners with local hospitals to support and fulfill the everyday needs of children with cancer and their families. The Dragonfly Foundation will use the grant towards their Urgent Requests Program. The Foundation encourages any 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to apply for a grant at sbbrg.org/apply-for-grant. Donations are awarded to different organizations monthly. This story can be found on Benzinga and PR Web

Reading Power received a $5,000 grant from the SBB Research Group Foundation, which awards monthly grants to support impactful organizations during the pandemic. Reading Power, a tutoring organization, serves under-resourced schools in Lake County, Illinois, by providing one-to-one tutoring to pre-kindergarten through second grade students. "Our mission is to accelerate children’s literacy learning to help them develop a love of reading and writing," explained Kristin Fine, Reading Power’s Director of Programs. Individualized programs focus on developing reading fluency, comprehension, oral language, vocabulary, phonemic awareness, and writing skills. Reading Power collaborates with teachers and administration to provide 25- to 40-minute tutoring sessions during the school day, 3 to 5 days per week. The organization also ensures that students can continue to read at home by gifting them new books and providing them access to a lending library. "It is so exciting to see this unique organization create individualized programs with the power to enhance the educational development of children in need," said Matt Aven, co-founder and board member of the SBB Research Group Foundation. Along with their educational impact, Reading Power also emphasizes the social-emotional benefits of its program. "We know, especially after COVID, that students need to have a caring adult in their life that can give them the attention and care that they need to feel comfortable taking risks in their learning," said Fine. Reading Power currently has nine programs in North Chicago, Waukegan, and Zion, as well as an ancillary program in South Carolina. "This year, we will be expanding to two new schools in Waukegan, in minority and low-income areas, where we know the need is great," said Fine. The organization will use the SBB Research Group Foundation’s contribution towards funding and supplies to open a new site. For more information about Reading Power, visit readingpowerinc.org. The Foundation encourages any 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to apply for a grant at sbbrg.org/apply-for-grant. Donations are awarded to different organizations monthly. This story can be found on Business Wire

The SBB Research Group Foundation recognizes three Chicago-area charities as the October 2022 finalists of its monthly grant program supporting impactful nonprofits (in alphabetical order): Chicago City Theatre Company DBA Joel Hall Dancers & Center (Chicago) makes dance performance and education affordable and accessible for all artists. The organization's programs serve not only to foster creativity but also to confront and dismantle oppressive issues and improve the community. Compass (Chicago) partners with business professionals to offer free strategic guidance to local nonprofits. Compass' consulting model provides organizations with equitable access to business expertise, allowing nonprofits to receive high-quality support while allowing them to concentrate funding efforts towards increasing community impact. Will's Place (Skokie) is a café with a mission to empower adults with intellectual and physical disabilities by providing them with job opportunities and training to help them lead fulfilling and independent lives. The Foundation encourages any 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to apply for a grant at sbbrg.org/apply-for-grant. Donations are awarded to different organizations monthly. This story can be found on EIN Presswire

Soul Survivors of Chicago received a $5,000 grant from the SBB Research Group Foundation, which awards monthly grants to support impactful organizations. Soul Survivors of Chicago, a nonprofit organization, supports underserved communities tragically impacted by suicide. The organization delivers its mission through four critical areas: shoe donations, community education, advocacy, and financial support to individuals affected by loss. "We address the issue of mental health by supporting the underserved communities in need and understanding and addressing those needs in ways that are not often available," stated Rafiah Maxie, Founder of Soul Survivors of Chicago. Established after the heartbreaking loss of her son, Jamal, to suicide, Maxie explains the organization's sentiment behind shoe donations as moving forward with and honoring the memories of lost loved ones. The SBB Research Group Foundation grant will assist Soul Survivors of Chicago's urgent need to pay for the cost of cleaning donated shoes, assist with storage fees, and help with marketing materials to promote suicide prevention and mental wellness. "Soul Survivors of Chicago has such a unique approach to improving the mental health of people in communities that are often overlooked," says Matt Aven, co-founder and board member of the SBB Research Group Foundation. For more information about Soul Survivors of Chicago, visit soulsurvivorsofchicago.com The Foundation encourages any 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to apply for a grant at sbbrg.org/apply-for-grant. Donations are awarded to different organizations monthly. This story can be found on Benzinga and PR Web

A Safe Place received a $5,000 grant from the SBB Research Group Foundation, which awards monthly grants to support impactful organizations. Based in Lake County, Illinois, A Safe Place, a nonprofit organization, provides comprehensive services to survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. The organization offers a continuum of care that addresses all aspects of abuse, from identifying root causes to creating and maintaining a safe environment for its survivors. Among its many program offerings, A Safe Place provides community education and prevention programs, emergency services, housing, therapy and counseling, intervention, and other essential services. The organization supports individuals across Lake County, Cook County, southern Wisconsin, and surrounding areas. Overall, A Safe Place serves over 24,000 individuals per year. "It is time for all of us to get involved," said Damaris Lorta, A Safe Place's Chief Development Officer. "We need the entire community to stand up and support programs that fight domestic violence." Funding from the SBB Research Group Foundation will help A Safe Place continue providing its services. "A Safe Place provides essential support to vulnerable people in our community," said Matt Aven, co-founder and board member of the SBB Research Group Foundation. For more information about A Safe Place, visit asafeplaceforhelp.org The Foundation encourages any 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to apply for a grant at sbbrg.org/apply-for-grant. Donations are awarded to different organizations monthly. This story can be found on PR Web

The Chicago Chapter of the Dragonfly Foundation received a $5,000 grant from the SBB Research Group Foundation, which awards monthly grants to support impactful organizations during the pandemic. The Dragonfly Foundation partners with local hospitals to fulfill the everyday needs of children with cancer and their families. Since 2010, the Cincinnati-headquartered nonprofit has assisted over 6,500 children with cancer, family members, and caregivers by offering a community of support and resources. “I feel honored to carry forward the organization’s mission and vision of fulfilling these urgent requests and building a community for these families” - Jessica Merar The organization established its Chicago Chapter in March 2020 and partners with seven local hospitals, primarily focusing on fulfilling urgent requests. “I feel honored to carry forward the organization’s mission and vision of fulfilling these urgent requests and building a community for these families,” said Jessica Merar, Director of Programs at The Dragonfly Foundation’s Chicago Chapter. Through the Dragonfly Foundation’s Urgent Requests program, families communicate their needs to their hospital social workers, and the organization fulfills requests with no questions asked. Merar explained, “There is no application. We don’t need any approvals. We just truly want to give the families what they need.” The program offers a variety of resources, including gas cards to offset the costs of traveling to and from treatments, grocery cards, prescription cards, toys, household essentials, and celebrations for life milestones. “This incredibly impactful gift from the SBB Research Group Foundation will support our Urgent Requests Program, helping us deliver the day-to-day needs that arise,” said Merar. “We commend the Dragonfly Foundation for thinking outside the box by focusing on children and families holistically,” said Matt Aven, co-founder, and board member of the SBB Research Group Foundation. In addition to their Urgent Requests program, The Dragonfly Foundation also hosts patient and family events, community-building programs, assembles hospital care bags, and provides a space for direct donations to patients and their loved ones through their Adopt-A-Family program. For more information about The Dragonfly Foundation, visit dragonfly.org/chicago. The Foundation encourages any 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to apply for a grant at sbbrg.org/apply-for-grant. Donations are awarded to different organizations monthly. This story can be found on BusinessWire

SBB Research Group recognizes three Chicago-area charities as the November 2021 finalists of its monthly grant program supporting impactful nonprofits during the COVID-19 pandemic (in alphabetical order): Northern Illinois Food Bank (Geneva) provides families experiencing food insecurity access to groceries through a network of 900 food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters throughout the region. PADS Lake County (Waukegan) supports homeless and at-risk individuals and families by providing housing assistance, resources, and shelter. The Period Collective (Lake Forest) partners with local organizations to provide feminine hygiene products to women facing housing and income challenges. These finalists will give brief presentations via videoconference to the investment firm's staff, who will ask questions to learn more about each of these important causes. The employees will then vote to allocate the company's awards. Each finalist will receive at least a $1,000 donation. Last month, The Bloc received a $5,000 grant to provide local youth with academic support and mentorship through the sport of boxing. In addition, the funds will enable the organization to expand its programs to other schools and communities. Any 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization is encouraged to apply at sbbrg.org/apply-for-grant. This story can be found on BusinessWire.