Grant Seekers
To be considered for support, organizations that meet the funding criteria must first sumbit a letter of interest. This letter should be no longer than two typewritten pages and should include a general description of the organization and program for which funding is being sought (requests for General Operating Support are accepted.) No attachments (e.g. brochures, annual reports, articles, etc.) should be submitted with this letter.
We accept Letters of Intent throughout the year but they must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the grant application deadline for which organizations desire consideration. Foundation staff will review the letter and, if appropriate, request a full proposal. We accept Letters of Intent by email or mail. To email your LOI, please send to Alanna@speh.org, and via regular mail, please mail to 10700 W. Higgins Road Suite 250 Rosemont IL, 60018.
If a full proposal is requested, please complete the Chicago Area Grant Form and submit it according to the application deadlines detailed in the Deadlines section at right. The Speh Family Foundation will consider single and multi-year grant requests.
Organizations that are not approved for grants are welcome to submit a new letter of interest the subsequent year. Organizations receiving single-year grants may reapply the following year for a renewal of the grant or for a new grant (submission of another letter of intent is not required). Except in rare circumstances, the Speh Family Foundation will not support an organization for more than three consecutive years, after which the applicant must wait one year before submitting a new letter of interest.
Once the application is received, the Foundation staff will conduct a site visit to the organization. In some instances, organizations may be invited to present their project or program to the Speh Family Foundation's Board of Directors.
- Deadlines
- Funding Criteria
The Speh Family Foundation has two deadlines for the submission of completed grant applications:
Download Chicago Area Grant Form
Complete applications postmarked by the March 15 deadline will be reviewed and decided upon by June 30; complete applications postmarked by July 15 deadline will be reviewed and decided upon by October 30; .
DEADLINE CALENDAR
| Letter of Intent | Postmarked By | Notification |
|---|---|---|
| January 15 | March 15 | June 30 |
| May 15 | July 15 | October 30 |
The Speh Family Foundation will consider funding requests from organizations (or programs within organizations) that:
- Directly and positively impact youth between the ages of 13 and 19 years old;
- Are tax exempt under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States;
- Serve the Chicago metropolitan area;
- Have strong community support;
- Can demonstrate their ability to develop meaningful objectives and realistic budgets; and
- Have competent leadership and procedures in place for periodic program evaluation.
Generally, even if the above criteria are met, the Speh Family Foundation will not fund:
- Individuals;
- Government Agencies;
- Medical/Health care agencies or programs;
- Research and Policy papers;
- Political activity; or
- Programs outside of our mission.
Please note: From 1996 to 2002 the Speh Family Foundation funded programs for Children and Youth of Chicagoland. Starting in 2003, the foundation narrowed its focus to youth between the ages of 13-19.