FY26 Q1: July 1- September 30
Impact Snapshot
Total Grants Awarded: 12
Total Funding this Quarter: $1,554,948
Highlights from Our 1st Quarter
This quarter, Chicagoland was met with new challenges amidst a shifting political landscape. We saw local collaborations grow and respond to protect our communities and the people most impacted by harmful actions and policies. Michael Reese Health Trust continued to respond to the crises of the moment by supporting the community organizations that drive these efforts and protect essential services.
We focused on building and strengthening relationships, backing advocacy, and investing in community-driven solutions to both respond to our current climate and build for a healthier, fairer Chicagoland.
Below, we highlight a few examples of how Michael Reese is using our platform as a civic leader to publicly respond to these crises. We also lift up innovative work and inspiring solutions from our partners that are helping protect and advance health equity now and in the future.
Leaning Into Our Values
Standing up for Critical Health and Safety Net Systems
In July, Congress approved a budget bill that slashes more than $1 trillion from Medicaid, SNAP, and other essential safety net programs— gutting critical supports that people across the country rely on to survive.
As these harmful provisions take effect— some immediately and others by 2027— they will deepen longstanding inequities and create new barriers for communities already pushed to the margins.
Michael Reese Health Trust is committed to protecting and strengthening the systems that support people’s health and well-being—and standing with our partners to resist these harmful changes.
Read our statement to learn where we stand and how we’re taking action.
Learn more. >
Championing Direct Cash Assistance for Survivors of Gender-Based Violence
“Local leaders have a chance right now to reject the cruelty and negligence of the federal system and build something better.”
Through The Survivor Fund, in 2024, more than $5 million was provided to 4,111 survivors of gender-based violence to cover rent, food, transportation, and other basic needs, making it the largest direct cash assistance program of its kind in the country.
Such unrestricted cash payments are essential for increasing survivor safety. Still, 72% of applicants were turned away due to limited funding, highlighting the urgent need for expanded support.
Read the full piece on Chicago Sun Times in collaboration by Michael Reese Health Trust President and CEO Ameya Pawar and Amanda Pyron, President and CEO of The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence.
Learn more. >
Supporting Fundamental Freedom of Speech
Michael Reese Health Trust signed on to a national statement by the Council on Foundations, joining over 700 philanthropic foundations earlier this summer in response to federal attacks against philanthropy. As a signatory of this statement, we are part of Unite We Advance, a coalition of funders working together to address issues facing the philanthropic sector.
Michael Reese Health Trust remains steadfast in our right to exercise our mission to address health inequities and speak on behalf of our philanthropic interests.
The statement can be found here. >
Partner Highlights
Understanding Karina’s Law
To help the community understand Karina’s Law, as part of their training efforts, The Network created a page on their website to answer frequently asked questions.
Karina’s Law was signed into law in February 2025 by Gov. J.B. Pritzker and went into effect on May 11th. This law is aimed at addressing domestic violence-related gun deaths in Illinois and keeping survivors of Gender Based Violence safe.
Michael Reese Health Trust is proud to have supported the advocacy that helped make this law possible. We look forward to working with The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence on the implementation phase of Karina’s Law.
Learn more. >
Why is this important?
- The legislation came at a critical time, as Illinois saw a 63% increase in firearm-related domestic violence deaths between 2019 and 2023.
- Among victims of domestic violence homicide who had an order of protection, one-fifth were killed within two days of the order of protection being issued and about one-third were killed within a month.
- Estimates suggest that among all women killed with a firearm in the United States, 63% were murdered by an intimate male partner.
- Access to a gun increases the risk of intimate partner homicide by 500%
- Among all intimate partner homicides, nearly two-thirds are committed using a firearm.
- Without intervention, Illinois is projected to see more than double the number of domestic gun violence deaths in the span of 5 years.
Source: The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence
Rapid Response Fund for Homeless Service Providers
Since January, a range of executive actions and federal funding cuts have caused distress for partners addressing homelessness in the region. Drawing from community input, Chicago Funders Together to End Homelessness (CFTEH) launched a new Response Fund over the summer. The fund supports partners’ capacity and resiliency and helps respond to the need for more flexible resources for homeless service providers. In August, they awarded $600,000 to 60 community partners providing shelter and housing across the Chicago region.
CFTEH is a diverse group of funders who are learning together and aligning resources to prevent and end homelessness. Founded in 2020, CFTEH was Michael Reese’s first incubation project. Michael Reese now serves as CFTEH’s fiscal sponsor.
Learn more. >
Why is this important?
- Amid federal funding cuts and policy changes that threatened equity-focused and evidence-based homelessness programs, the CFTEH Response Fund provided critical support to local organizations serving people experiencing and at-risk of experiencing homelessness.
2-1-1 Moves to the Southside
Congratulations to United Way of Metro Chicago on their new home for 2-1-1!
In September, 211 Metro Chicago announced the grand opening of their contact center at Xchange Chicago in the Grand Crossing neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago. Operated by United Way of Metro Chicago, in partnership with the City of Chicago and Cook County, the 24/7/365 health and social service referral helpline has experienced significant growth since its launch in January 2023.
Michael Reese Health Trust is proud to have supported this effort alongside so many dedicated partners working to advance health equity in our region.
Learn more. >
Why is this important?
- As of Aug. 1, 2025, 211 Metro Chicago’s social service and homelessness support helplines fielded more than 450,000 contacts via phone, text message, website search and online chat.
- The four most common needs for area residents are housing and shelter, utility assistance, access to food and employment and income assistance.
Community Health Worker (CHW) High School Pipeline Pilot
Over the summer, students got a first-hand look at what it’s like to work in public health through the Cook County Department of Public Health’s (CCDPH) Community Health Worker (CHW) High School Pipeline Program.
The pilot internship bridged classroom learning with practical, real-world applications, giving students firsthand exposure to the role of a CHW. This program aims to inspire the next generation of public health and healthcare leaders while advancing a more diverse and representative health workforce across Cook County.
This program, spearheaded by CCDPH, was supported by grants from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Michael Reese Health Trust.
Learn more. >
Why is this important?
- Through targeted training, academic support, and career development, this program strengthens the next generation of public health leaders and helps build a workforce that is more inclusive, representative, and equipped to meet the needs of all communities.
Other Key Moments
In July, President and CEO, Ameya Pawar joined Trust Talks, The Podcast – Episode 20: Advocating for Policy Reform to talk about the importance of coalitions.
“…it creates that space for people to come as they are, to bring their experiences, but also bring their warts. But creating that space to come as you are, warts and all, to work towards the common good is an incredible responsibility and an incredible opportunity.”
In late August, Ameya Pawar participated in a press conference with Governor JB Pritzker, elected officials from every level of government, and civil society to push back against the Trump Administration’s suggestion to deploy federal troops in Chicago.
“Chicago’s strength lies in its civil society—where philanthropy, community organizations, business leaders, policymakers, and neighbors work hand in hand every single day to drive public safety and community development,” said Ameya Pawar, President and CEO of Michael Reese Health Trust.
In July, Blair Harvey, Chief Program Officer and Dr. Rashonda Johnson, Program Director, Strategic Initiatives, attended the 2025 National Convening: Seeding (and Ceding) Transformational Power.
The convening brought grantmakers together to strategize around seeding transformational power—investing in grassroots organizing, infrastructure, and BIPOC communities—and ceding power by shifting harmful philanthropic practices and aligning with movements’ long-term strategies.
Learn more about NFG. >
Organizational Updates
- In July, Emily Metz joined the Michael Reese team as the inaugural Program Director of Housing and Health.
In this role, she will focus on identifying new opportunities to address housing insecurity in alignment with broader housing and community development initiatives— working to help ensure every Chicagoan has a safe place to call home.
About Emily. >
- Dr. Rashonda Johnson, Program Director, Strategic Initiatives, joined the John Howard Association of Illinois Board of Directors.
JHA works to improve Illinois’ criminal justice system through research, advocacy, and public education.
Learn more about JHA. >
- In June we welcomed Sol Flores to the Michael Reese Health Trust Board of Directors.
A lifelong advocate for equity and community, Sol brings a wealth of experience in public service, nonprofit leadership, and systems-level advocacy rooted in equity and community.
About Sol. >
Q1 Grantee Partners
End Homelessness
We work to end homelessness by advocating for stronger, more coordinated systems that ensure people have access to stable housing.
Legal Action Chicago– General Operating Support ($200,000)
Funding will support policy and systemic advocacy to prevent, limit, and end homelessness. Legal Action Chicago will track new developments and take on emerging issues, especially those from the federal government, as well as state and local changes.
Honor Our Jewish Legacy
We support health providers, advocates, and services that serve the Jewish community.
Norton & Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics– General Operating Support ($125,000)
Funding will support education, outreach, and access to low-cost, low-barrier pre-conception screenings related to recessive disorders and hereditary cancers.
Prevent Domestic Violence
We work to break the cycle of domestic violence by supporting both survivors and those who cause harm. Helping both populations is key to healing, reducing health gaps, preventing future violence, and building safer, healthier communities.
Healing to Action– Stipends for the City of Chicago’s Survivor-Led Working Group ($23,430)
Funding will provide stipends to survivors of gender-based violence who are members of the City of Chicago’s Survivor-led Working Group, a subset of the Gender-based Violence Taskforce.
Legal Action Chicago– General Operating Support ($60,000)
Funding will allow Legal Action Chicago to monitor and facilitate implementation of Karina’s Law, which allows for the removal of guns from people who cause harm.
The Family Institute at Northwestern University– Achieving Changes through Value-based Behavior (ACTV) Pilot Program ($26,518)
Funding will support the planning for expansion of ACTV, a partner abuse program, to three organizations in the Chicago-area.
Strategic Initiatives
We support ideas, projects, and approaches that align with our mission and promote health equity.
Esperanza Health Centers– Chicago Safety Net Learning Collaborative (CSNLC); General Operating Support ($100,000)
Funding will allow Esperanza Health Centers to continue to coordinate the CSNLC which will strengthen Chicago’s health safety net by engaging at least 1,300 unique staff participants from its 21-member health centers in peer learning, leadership development, and workforce innovation programs.
Health First Collaborative
Health First Collaborative (HFC) is an incubator and amplifier of community ideas for better, more equitable health solutions.
Health & Medicine Policy Research Group– Public Health Convenings and Policy Analysis ($50,000; 24 months)
Funding will support convenings aimed at identifying and analyzing both immediate threats and long-term impacts of recent federal actions—particularly following the passage of OBBBA—on the public health and healthcare workforce. It will also fund the tracking of federal executive orders and their implications for public health, including changes to the Illinois Medicaid program.
Strengthen the Health Workforce
We work to make community health workers (CHW) a permanent and valued part of the health workforce. Using their unique expertise and lived experiences, CHWs help improve the health of people and communities across Chicago.
Chicago Volunteer Doulas– General Operating Support ($250,000)
Funding will provide operating support to maintain their doula workforce and ongoing efforts to enhance workforce capacity.
CommunityHealth– General Operating Support ($120,000)
Funding will support the expansion of the CHW program’s focus which includes more direct patient engagement and education with the goal of improving patient retention, outcomes, and overall experience.
Sinai Chicago– One Lawndale ($200,000)
Funding will support the Sinai Urban Health Institute, in partnership with Enlace Chicago and the North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council, in strengthening the infrastructure and sustainability of One Lawndale, a hyper-local initiative connecting over 50 organizations working together to develop a coordinated CHW system of care.
The University of Chicago Medical Center– UHI CHW Certification & Employment Pipeline ($200,000)
Funding will support the Urban Health Initiative in launching a CHW Certification Program to strengthen the South Side’s CHW workforce and expand career pathways.
West Side Health Equity Collaborative (DBA Wellness West)– General Operating Support ($200,000)
Funding will support the advancement of Wellness West’s mission that will focus on their multi-faceted workforce program that includes creating, supporting, and retaining CHW positions across their network.
