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

Join YLF for 2024-2025!

Are you interested in joining the Young Leaders Fund?

YLF convenes on a monthly basis, November through June, with meetings taking place on the second Wednesday of each month at The Chicago Community Trust’s Loop office space. Our first meeting this year will be on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 where we’ll dive deeper into our work, what we do, and the expected commitment for a YLF member.

If you’re interested in attending our first meeting, please complete this Member Interest Form to ensure you are on our mailing list to receive our meeting invites and other communications moving forward. 

Please complete this form by October 31, 2024. We plan to send out the meeting invite for our first meeting on Friday, November 1, 2024.

MEMBER INTEREST FORM

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
Lisandra Lao

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