The Skokie Community Foundation raises money to fund programs and projects that benefit people
who live and work in Skokie.
Since 2015, the foundation has awarded more than $200,000 to organizations that form partnerships and work together on programs that improve the quality of life in Skokie.
Student Health Care
Elementary School District 69 + Various Community Partners
2021 Grant Recipients
The first program is a collaboration between Elementary School District 69 and several community health service providers.
It provides health vouchers for uninsured or underinsured
children.
Elementary students benefited from services including: vision exams (and glasses when needed); dental screenings, cleanings and necessary services, including filling cavities; and mental health services. The health voucher pilot program also allowed D69 to establish ongoing partnerships with local healthcare providers who will continue to offer services to children in need at reduced cost or no cost to them.
Workforce Certification
Oakton Community College + Village of Skokie
2022 Grant Recipients
Since 2021, the foundation has awarded $14,500 to Oakton Community College and the Village of Skokie Department of Health & Human Services to pay for workforce certification classes at Oakton. The Village of Skokie identifies unemployed or underemployed Skokie residents who want to learn skills that will get them better jobs. Oakton provides a designated academic advisor to help each participant choose a specific career interest and support them through the process, which includes job referrals. The college offers a wide range of certifications, from basic nurse assistant technician, through CNC operator, to nanotechnology. Let’s hear more from a Skokie resident who is getting his Oracle database technician certificate.
Biking and Camping Experiences
Out Our Front Door + Emily Oaks Nature Center
2022 Grant Recipients
In 2022, the foundation awarded $7,000 to the Skokie Park District’s Emily Oaks Nature Center and a nonprofit called Out Our Front Door to provide biking and camping experiences to teens who would not otherwise benefit from those activitites. These two grant partners identified Skokie teens whose families face financial constraints and gave them bikes. It also included young people who are differently abled; Out Our Front Door retrofitted bicycles so the teens could also take part. During the summer, participants took several long bicycle rides and also learned how to camp. The program ended with an overnight camping trip for all the participants.
These are just a few of the ways Skokie Community Foundation is improving lives in Skokie. Click here to see all of our Grants.
For those of you who have supported our foundation in the past: Thank you!
For others: please consider donating to Skokie Community Foundation. All of your dollars go directly to benefit people who live and work in Skokie. Click here to donate.
