Grant Strategy • Chicago, IL

Our Path to Funding
Our Community's Wellness

MiKariann Kares™ is actively pursuing $500K–$2M in grant funding across federal, state, local, and private foundation sources to build Chicago's premier Community Wellness & Community Support Initiative.

$500K+ Year 1 Goal
$2M+ 2-Year Target
40+ Grant Opportunities
10 Priority Funders

A transparent roadmap
to sustainable impact

We believe funders deserve clarity on where investments go. Here's our two-year funding architecture, designed for real community impact.

Year 1 — 2026
$500K
Establish operations, secure facility lease, launch core programs (preventive care, nutrition education, housing support navigation), and hire founding staff.
BCBSIL Blue Impact Chicago CDBG Healthy Communities Fdn IDHS Grants
Total 2-Year Target
$2M+
Diversified across 8+ funding sources to ensure resilience — no single funder exceeds 30% of total revenue. Building toward earned-revenue sustainability by Year 3.
Federal State Local Private Foundations Community Partners

Diversified. Sustainable. Community-Rooted.

Every dollar funds direct services for Chicago's underserved families — preventive care, nutrition, transitional housing, and education.

$500K–$2M 2-Year Funding Target

10 Priority Grant
Opportunities

Ranked by fit rating and strategic timing. Each aligned with MiKariann Kares' preventive care, nutrition, and transitional housing mission.

Chicago Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)
Local
Deadline
~Aug 2026 (Next Cycle)
Fit Rating
★★★★ Strong
Federal program administered by the City of Chicago for community facilities and social services benefiting low-to-moderate income populations. Community facilities, health services, and transitional housing are explicitly eligible uses.
Community Memorial Foundation
Foundation
Deadline
Ongoing (Responsive)
Fit Rating
★★★★ Strong
Chicago-area funder focused on healthcare, health equity, food access, and housing. Part of $93M awarded to 27 communities. Offers Building Organizational Effectiveness grants ideal for startup nonprofits establishing operations.
Illinois Dept. of Human Services (IDHS) — Family & Community Services
State
Deadline
FY cycles (Spring 2026)
Fit Rating
★★★ Good
State grants for maternal & child health, transitional housing, homelessness prevention, and community services. Includes IDHS Transitional Housing & Homelessness Services funding stream directly applicable to MiKariann Kares' housing support programs.
SAMHSA — CCBHC Expansion Grants
Federal
Deadline
Sept 1 annually
Fit Rating
★★★ Good
Federal grants for establishing or expanding certified community behavioral health clinics. CCBHC-PDI track designed for new organizations. High-dollar opportunity for Year 2 when behavioral health programs are operational. Apply through state partnership pathway.
Cook County Community Development Block Grants
Local
Deadline
Mar 20, 2026 (current)
Fit Rating
★★★ Good
Suburban Cook County CDBG program for nonprofits serving both Chicago and suburban communities. If MiKariann Kares serves broader Cook County populations, dual-application strategy with City of Chicago CDBG is viable.
IDPH — We Choose Health Initiative
State
Deadline
Active cycles (check IDPH)
Fit Rating
★★★ Good
Nearly $4.8M statewide for obesity and tobacco prevention and community nutrition. Covers 60 Illinois counties. Strong alignment with MiKariann Kares' nutrition awareness programs and community wellness education initiatives.
IRCCA — SAFE Program (Illinois Opioid Settlements)
State
Deadline
July 1 fiscal year
Fit Rating
★★★ Good
Opioid settlement funds for community care coordination and community health services. Geographic minimum of 1 award per IDPH Health Region. Community-based nonprofits and coalitions eligible. Aligns with MiKariann Kares' integrated wellness approach.
VNA Foundation
Foundation
Deadline
Ongoing
Fit Rating
★★★ Good
Metro Chicago foundation funding home- and community-based health services for medically underserved populations since 1996. Focus on preventive health, maternal & child health, and health equity — a strong match for MiKariann Kares' community-first model.

Our foundation for
funding eligibility

Foundation program officers evaluate organizational capacity first. Here's where MiKariann Kares stands today.

EIN Registered

Federal Employer Identification Number obtained — a prerequisite for all grant applications.

Trademark Registered

MiKariann Kares™ trademark secured — demonstrates organizational seriousness and brand protection.

Business Plan Completed

Comprehensive business overview with service model, budget projections, and community impact metrics.

Founder Expertise Documented

Founder story and credentials documented — personal mission rooted in lived experience with nursing home neglect.

501(c)(3) Status — In Progress

IRS Form 1023/1023-EZ filing underway. Expected approval 2–6 months. Required by most private foundations.

Community Needs Assessment

Documenting Chicago health equity data gaps and underserved population needs to strengthen grant narratives.

Community Partner Letters

Securing letters of support from Chicago health organizations, housing nonprofits, and community leaders.

Board of Directors Formation

Assembling diverse board with community health, housing, and legal expertise to satisfy funder governance requirements.

Grant Application
Roadmap

A phased strategy to maximize funding success — building credentials early, targeting high-value opportunities at the right time.

1
Mar – May 2026
Grant Readiness
  • File IRS Form 1023-EZ for 501(c)(3)
  • Assemble grant readiness package
  • Conduct Chicago community needs assessment
  • Secure partner letters of support
  • Form initial Board of Directors
  • Register on Illinois CSFA portal
2
Jun – Aug 2026
First Applications
  • Apply: BCBSIL Blue Impact (Jan 2027 deadline)
  • Apply: Chicago CDBG Small Grants (~Aug)
  • Apply: Healthy Communities Foundation
  • Apply: CDPH grant opportunities
  • Attend Chicago funder networking events
3
Sep – Nov 2026
State Funding Push
  • Apply: SAMHSA (Sept 1 deadline)
  • Engage IDPH We Choose Health
  • Apply: IRCCA SAFE Program
  • Pursue IDHS Family & Community Services
  • Initiate Cook County CDBG application
4
Dec 2026 – Mar 2027
Foundation Outreach
  • Submit: BCBSIL Blue Impact by Jan 30
  • Apply: Community Memorial Foundation
  • Apply: VNA Foundation
  • Apply: Grant Healthcare Foundation
  • Begin Year 2 federal grant pipeline
  • Report back to initial funders

Partner with MiKariann Kares

We welcome conversations with foundation program officers, government grant administrators, and community partners. Our mission is deeply personal — and our commitment to transparency and accountability is absolute.