Young Leaders Fund

Paving the way for start-up nonprofits and the next generation of philanthropists.

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  • Over $1.2 Million

    Dollars Granted

  • Over 260

    Organizations Impacted

YLF 2024 Kick-Off Event

Please join the Young Leaders Fund, an initiative of The Chicago Community Trust, for the kick-off of its 2024-2025 grant cycle!

Meet returning members of the Young Leaders Fund and the leadership team to learn about YLF’s work, 30 years of impact, and how you can get involved this coming year.

CLICK HERE TO RSVP

About the Fund

Over the past 25 years, the Young Leaders Fund (YLF) has awarded more than $1 million in grants to more than 260 small, start-up nonprofits serving neighborhoods across the city. From band classes for students in East Garfield Park, to launching a women’s culinary workforce development program at the Cook County Correctional Center, to upgrading computers for an after-school program in West Woodlawn, YLF has paved the way for small nonprofits to take their work to the next level. 

YLF focuses its grants on small, start-up nonprofits with operating budgets of less than $250,000. Our three focus areas are Arts & Culture, Child Development & Education, and Community & Economic Development. 

YLF grants are invite-only, and we’re always looking for organizations to invite to our next grant application cycle. If you have recommendations of small local nonprofits doing incredible work for us to connect with, please complete the form linked below.

Recommend a Nonprofit

2024 Grant Recipients

Leadership Team

Mateo Koster, Co-ChairCaroline Schneir, Co-Chair
Lauren ClarkJaque Stefanic
Alex KarpfErvin Szot
Cambria KhayatElena Westbrook
Lisandro Lao

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