For Funders & Grantmakers
Hug A Child NFP is a trusted, outcomes-focused nonprofit creating measurable impact in Chicago's most vulnerable communities. Learn how to partner with us through grants, major gifts, and collaborative funding.
Our Impact at a Glance
Youth and young adults served annually
High school graduation or GED completion
Workforce participants employed
Community institutional partners
Why Fund Hug A Child?
- ✓ Proven Model: The HUG Initiative (Healing • Unity • Growth) is grounded in trauma-informed practice and youth development research
- ✓ Measurable Outcomes: We track and report on key metrics: graduation rates, employment, housing stability, mental health, and participant satisfaction
- ✓ Community Trust: Trusted by youth, families, schools, hospitals, workforce agencies, and community partners across Chicago
- ✓ Efficient Operations: 80% of resources go directly to programs; transparent financial management and fiscal responsibility
- ✓ Strategic Partnerships: Embedded in school, healthcare, and workforce systems for coordinated, sustainable impact
Funding Opportunities
Foundation Grants
We actively pursue grants from local and national foundations supporting youth development, violence prevention, education, workforce, and family services.
Typical Grant Range:
$25,000 - $500,000 annually
Current Focus Areas:
- ✓ Youth mental health and trauma recovery
- ✓ Violence prevention and community safety
- ✓ Education and college readiness
- ✓ Workforce development and job training
- ✓ Family stabilization and economic mobility
Major Gifts & Institutional Funding
We welcome major gifts from corporations, institutions, and individual philanthropists committed to transforming lives and communities.
Typical Gift Range:
$50,000 - $1,000,000+
Funding Options:
- ✓ Program-specific funding (mentoring, workforce, family services)
- ✓ Capacity building and infrastructure
- ✓ Endowment and planned giving
- ✓ Multi-year partnership agreements
Government Funding
We pursue federal, state, and city grants supporting youth services, violence prevention, workforce development, and community well-being.
Current Sources:
- ✓ Department of Labor workforce grants
- ✓ SAMHSA behavioral health funding
- ✓ City of Chicago youth services grants
- ✓ Violence intervention and prevention (VIP) funding
Corporate Partnerships
Corporations partner with us through direct funding, employee giving programs, in-kind donations, and volunteer engagement.
Partnership Models:
- ✓ Workplace giving matching programs
- ✓ Workforce development partnerships
- ✓ Volunteer and pro bono support
- ✓ Sponsorships and events
Program Costs & Impact ROI
Annual Investment per Participant
Mentoring Program
$1,200
Per young person annually
Workforce Development
$2,500
Per participant through employment
Family Stabilization
$3,000
Per family per year
Comprehensive Case Management
$4,500
Per participant annually
Return on Investment
$1,200 Mentoring Investment Yields:
- ✓ 15 hours of one-on-one mentoring
- ✓ Goal-setting and accountability support
- ✓ Access to mentor's networks and opportunities
- ✓ Improved school engagement
$2,500 Workforce Investment Yields:
- ✓ Job training and certification
- ✓ Average $28K annual income
- ✓ 78% sustained employment rate
- ✓ Economic mobility and stability
Societal Benefit (est.):
- ✓ Reduced criminal justice involvement
- ✓ Improved health and mental health outcomes
- ✓ Increased educational attainment
- ✓ Reduced future social service costs
Evaluation & Data-Driven Impact
Outcome Tracking
We systematically track participant outcomes across education, employment, health, and well-being using validated instruments and longitudinal data collection.
- ✓ Pre/post assessments
- ✓ 6-month, 1-year, 2-year follow-ups
- ✓ Demographic breakdowns
- ✓ Comparison to baseline/control
Research Partnerships
We collaborate with universities and research institutions to evaluate impact, build evidence, and contribute to the field.
- ✓ University collaborations
- ✓ Published research
- ✓ Program evaluation studies
- ✓ Best practice documentation
Accountability & Compliance
We maintain rigorous financial controls, grant compliance, and reporting standards to ensure donor accountability and public trust.
- ✓ Annual 990 filings (public)
- ✓ Annual audits
- ✓ Grant compliance monitoring
- ✓ Transparent reporting
Organizational Capacity
Leadership
Saleshea Peterson
Founder & Community Advocate
6+ years leading outreach-based initiatives in violence prevention and workforce development on Chicago's West Side
Board of Directors
Diverse expertise: education, healthcare, workforce, finance, community development
Staff Team
25+ full-time staff with deep community roots and professional credentials
Infrastructure
- ✓ Technology: Secure database, participant management system, outcomes tracking
- ✓ Facilities: Community center offices and program space
- ✓ Financial Systems: Robust accounting, grant compliance, audit-ready processes
- ✓ HR & Compliance: Professional HR, benefit packages, training programs
Grant Management Capacity
Hug A Child has successfully managed grants ranging from $25,000 to $500,000+, with a strong track record of:
- ✓ 100% on-time grant deliverables and reporting
- ✓ Multiple concurrent grants from diverse funders
- ✓ Program evaluation and data collection
- ✓ Transparent financial management and accountability
Grant Application Process
Inquiry
Contact our grants team to discuss fit and funding priorities
Proposal Development
We submit tailored proposal aligned with funder priorities
Review & Negotiation
Collaborate on timeline, reporting, and partnership terms
Partnership
Implement programs and deliver impact with strong accountability
Trusted by Leading Funders
We're grateful for partnerships with foundations and institutions committed to healing, unity, and growth in Chicago's communities.
Community Foundations
Chicago Community Trust, Donors Forum, and regional community foundations
National Foundations
Youth development, violence prevention, and education-focused foundations
Government Partners
City of Chicago, Illinois Department of Human Services, federal agencies
Ready to Invest in Healing, Unity, and Growth?
Let's discuss how your foundation, corporation, or institution can partner with Hug A Child to create measurable impact in Chicago's communities.
Grants Director: grants@hugachildnfp.org | (312) 731-5279