From Cook County Public Health & Human Services - Jan 21, 2026

The Cook County Public Health and Human Services Board awarded nine local community organizations with Public Health Fund grants for the 2026 calendar year - a combined total of $150,000 in grant awards.  Eleven applications were submitted, for a combined total of approximately $282,651 in grant requests. Beginning in 2018, the Cook County Board of Commissioners granted authority to the Public Health and Human Services Advisory Council to review and evaluate applications for county funding for those organizations that serve the Public Health and Human Services mission: "supporting the health, safety, and well-being of our community."

The grant review subcommittee of the Public Health and Human Services Advisory Council met multiple times over the summer and fall to review grant applications and to meet with each applicant to learn more about their proposed projects.  Only 501c3 nonprofit agencies serving Cook County residents, whose work aligns with the priority health areas in the current Community Health Improvement Plan were eligible for funding.  These priorities include:

• Access to affordable, healthy foods
• Access to affordable housing
• Access to affordable, quality childcare
• Access to mental health resources and support for well-being
• Access to physical health services
• Access to transportation

Following the recommendations of the grant review subcommittee, the Public Health and Human Services Board voted at its September meeting to approve these funding recommendations to the following nine organizations, with awards distributed in the first quarter of 2026:

Birch Grove Community School

Grant Amount: $15,000

Summary of Funding Request: Supports the general operations of the programs that run out of the Birch Grove Community School Community Service Branch.  These programs include: the Saplings/Summer Saplings preschool and Seedlings infant/toddler program (excluding staff wages/benefits), summer programming for school-aged kids (Campsite Kids), and before and after school care.

Care Partners of Cook County

Grant Amount: $15,000

Summary of Funding Request: Supports care coordination, end of life care, caregivers and practical, volunteer-based assistance with chores and rides across Cook County.

Cook County Council on Aging

Grant Amount: $35,000
Summary of Funding Request: Supports wages for staff of the Cook County Council on Aging (CCOA) to account for the growing use of the Hub’s facilities and programming, especially the food program.  CCOA offers lunch, classes, workshops, and other activities to the community.

Cook County Higher Education

Grant Amount: $15,000

Summary of Funding Request: Supports reducing the cost of programming aligned with the County’s priority health areas by 50-100%. Programming includes healthcare training, personal development, workforce training, and student support.

Cook County Schools Community Education

Grant Amount: $10,000

Summary of Funding Request: Supports youth development and family well-being through youth sports and activities, enrichment camps, preschool and Early Childhood and Family Education, and after-school/summer school-aged childcare.  Funds directly support program scholarships, equipment, and coordination.

Cook County YMCA

Grant Amount: $5,000

Summary of Funding Request: Supports scholarships through financial assistance program for membership and programming, such as after-school/summer school-aged childcare, with the goal to increase accessibility of services.

Great Expectations School

Grant Amount: $15,000

Summary of Funding Request: Supports integrating essential healthy living skills into the school curriculum and providing students with nutritious, appropriately sized meals to complement what is included in the state meal program.

Northwoods Food Project

Grant Amount: $10,000

Summary of Funding Request: Request for staff time in coordinating: support to food producers, food access programs at the Grand Marais Farmers Market, and a pilot produce access project.

Violence Prevention Center

Grant Amount: $30,000

Summary of Funding Request: Supports general operations of the Violence Prevention Center to provide advocacy services for survivors of violence.