YES Fund Online Grant Application

Purpose of the YES Fund: To provide an avenue for Oak Park and River Forest children and youth in need of financial resources to participate in enrichment programming and activites offered in Oak Park and River Forest.

Types of programming supported by the YES Fund: Arts, culture, academic, or athletic enrichment opportunities available through governmental, non-profit, or for-profit entities that have a preexisting demonstrated commitment to engaging children and youth from families experiencing financial hardship.

Rationale for the YES Fund:

1. Lack of finances to pay for participation and equipment fees is a common barrier preventing the participation of some children and youth.

2. Social science research confirms a positive correlation between youth engagement in out of school enrichment programs and school performance. Essentially, engaged children and youth are more likely to achieve better school attendance, higher levels of academic performance and post-secondary enrollment in college or vocational training.

Children and youth who are engaged not only have more fun but their experiences help to cultivate a long list of skills and competencies that will serve them across their life span in classrooms, jobs, community and family life.

Eligibility for Funding:

1. The applicant organization is qualified as a 501(c)(3) public charity or the applicant organization is operating under the fiscal agency of an organization that is a qualified 501(c)(3) public charity. (If otherwise, please consult Elizabeth Chadri, Program Director.)

2. If a past grantee, is in good standing the the OPRF Community Foundation.

3. Enrichment programming and activities are in Oak Park and River Forest.

4. Support for children and youth under 18 who are currently enrolled in school, and who reside in Oak Park or River Forest.

5. Household income for participants at 200% or less of the federal poverty guidelines; or households that qualify for free or reduced lunch. Extenuating circumstances that affect household income will be taken into consideration.

6. The YES Fund will provide scholarship funds (including support for equipment and transportation needs) for a maximum amount of $1,300 per child per year, and up to $6,000 per organization per year.

Information about your Organization

Thank you for your interest in participating in the YES Fund program as a partner agency. Please apply by completing the form below.

Legal Name of Organization *

Organization Type *

Organization Website URL

Tax ID *

Street Address *

Address Line 2

City *

State *

Zip Code *

Phone Number *

Contact Person Name (Last Name, First Name) *

Contact Person Title *

Contact Email Address *

Executive Director/CEO Name (Last Name, First Name) *

Executive Director/CEO Email *

Organization's mission statement: *

0/250 words

Please upload the following information with your application:
 A copy of your current IRS determination letter indicating 501(c)(3) public charity status *

Please upload the following information with your application:
 Copy of the most recently filed Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 990 *

Please upload the following information with your application:
 Copy of most recent financial statement. *

Information related to this Program & Grant

Amount requested over one year *

Briefly describe your organization (mission/program focus area, services, key achievements) *

0/250 words

Describe the need your organization is addressing with this proposal. *

0/250 words

Describe the goals and approach of this work and how they will address the need(s) *

0/250 words

Provide the number of children/youth who will directly benefit from this grant *

Explain how they will benefit from this grant *

0/250 words

Explain how you will measure the success of your program *

0/250 words

Equity Statement

1. Describe how your organization's thinking about equity informs how your organization develops and implements programs. *

0/500 words

2. Complete the table below to help us keep current with the diversity profile of local nonprofits and their constituencies.

Please provide numbers in all blank cells. Please place a "0" for none and a "U" for Unknown as appropriate. DO NOT USE PERCENTAGES.

	Participants/Clients	Staff	Board Members	Volunteers
Female	Participants/Clients	Staff	Board Members	Volunteers
Male	Participants/Clients	Staff	Board Members	Volunteers
Non-binary	Participants/Clients	Staff	Board Members	Volunteers
Other	Participants/Clients	Staff	Board Members	Volunteers
African American/Black	Participants/Clients	Staff	Board Members	Volunteers
Arab American/Middle Easterner	Participants/Clients	Staff	Board Members	Volunteers
Asian American/Pacific Islander	Participants/Clients	Staff	Board Members	Volunteers
Biracial/Multiracial	Participants/Clients	Staff	Board Members	Volunteers
European American/Caucasian	Participants/Clients	Staff	Board Members	Volunteers
Latino/Latina American	Participants/Clients	Staff	Board Members	Volunteers
Native American	Participants/Clients	Staff	Board Members	Volunteers
Other	Participants/Clients	Staff	Board Members	Volunteers

Description Text

Signatures

I certify, to the best of my knowledge, that the tax exempt status (e.g. a 501c3 public charity) is still in effect and that the proceeds of an awarded grant will not be used for any unlawful purpose.

Name, Title, Date *

clear

Thank you for your interest in participating in the YES Scholarship Fund! Any questions? Contact Elizabeth Chadri at echadri@oprfcf.org

KEY DATES AND GRANT PAYMENT INFORMATION

1) Online applications are due by October 14, 2022 by 5 pm.

2) Grant decision notifications will be posted by October 28, 2022.

3) Grant Reports are due September 15, 2023, but may be submitted any time before this.

* Please note that we will require either a Free or Reduced Lunch Approved Letter or the most recent Federal Tax Return at the time of the Grant Report for each person who is funded with the grant.