The Cubs Charities Community Fund, a McCormick Foundation fund, is committed to improving the lives of underserved youth, adults and families across Chicagoland by providing opportunities allowing them to thrive and succeed.
History
In 1990, the Chicago Cubs expanded its commitment to help those in need in Chicagoland and partnered with the Robert R. McCormick Foundation to establish the Cubs Charities Community Fund (formerly known as Cubs Care).
The Cubs Charities Community Fund is committed to helping those less fortunate improve their lives and strengthen children and families. With the generous support of fans, donors and matching funds provided by the McCormick Foundation, grants are made to qualified nonprofit organizations with programs that concentrate on child and youth education and health and wellness. In addition, the Chicago Cubs and the Foundation pay all campaign and administrative expenses, so one hundred percent of all donations, plus the match, goes to improving lives.
Since inception, more than $20 million has been granted through the Cubs Charities Community Fund, making a positive impact in the lives of thousands of disadvantaged children and families every year.
In 2019, the name was changed to the Cubs Charities Community Fund from Cubs Care to eliminate confusion about the role of Fund and reflect a closer alignment with Cubs Charities, the program that allows the Cubs organization to fundraise from fans and supporters.
Focus Areas
Education
This funding area supports agencies with established academic intervention program strategies in one of four transition stages that serve academically underperforming children and youth. Priority is given to programs that track student performance outcomes. The stages includes: (1) K-3rd Grade Reading Proficiency. Required outcomes include demonstrated reading grade level scores on a standardized literacy assessment pre/post test. (2) Middle-to-High School Transition. Required outcomes include demonstrated improvements in middle school core course performance, increase in school attendance, successful transition to high school, demonstrated 9th grade "on-track" status (C or better letter grade in core courses); (3) Postsecondary Access. Required outcomes include demonstrated improvement in high school core course performance (GPA tracking), attendance, comprehensive college preparation services, and high school graduation and college enrollment rates. (4) Postsecondary Persistence. Required outcomes include college matriculation, access to academic and non-cognitive support services and completion.
Health and Wellness
In this funding area, priority is given in three specific categories for established programs providing access to affordable, high quality health care services to low income residents in underserved communities: (1) Community Health Centers (preferably for those with an FQHC designation), in addition to some mobile health clinics; (2) K-12 School-based Health Centers; and (3) Agencies operating childhood obesity prevention and/or treatment programs. Only eligible programs reporting client outcomes will receive funding consideration.
Apply for a Grant
Guidelines for Funding Consideration
The Cubs Charities Community Fund, a McCormick Foundation Fund, supports eligible organizations and programs that help low income children, youth and families access services to overcome obstacles impeding progress out of poverty and towards stabilization and self-sufficiency.
Funding consideration is given once per year to programs that meet criteria in one of two funding areas (please see below for further information on funding areas). Programs must demonstrate evidence of impact through measurable client outcomes. Read the foundation’s Program Evaluation Guide.
Letter of Inquiry
The Cubs Charities Community Fund is not accepting LOIs at this time.
Application Requirements
Eligible organizations/programs will:
- Have 501(c)3 federal tax-exempt status
- Demonstrate one full year of program services and outcomes
- Demonstrate a strong financial position
- Serve residents of the Chicago Metropolitan region.
- Report strong measurable outcomes and meet grantmaking criteria in one funding area
Ineligible funding requests include:
- Capital campaigns or endowments or other reserve funds
- Public or private schools
- Government agencies
- Programs that do not fit funding guidelines or grantmaking strategies
The McCormick Foundation does not make grants to programs that would financially benefit the Chicago Cubs.
Additional Information
More Ways to Give
Requesting an Auction Donation
Solicitation Disclosure
The Cubs Charities Community Fund is a fund of the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. The Foundation has been determined by the Internal Revenue Service to be a tax-exempt organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, EIN #36-3689171. Your gift is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. A written acknowledgment will be sent for your records.
The McCormick Foundation is located at 205 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 4300, Chicago, IL 60601. The Foundation can be contacted at 312.445.5044 or via email at development@mccormickfoundation.org. A copy of the Foundation’s latest annual report and financial documents are available by request or online.
The Cubs Charities Community Fund and the McCormick Foundation respect your right to privacy and do not trade or sell donor names. The complete privacy policy is available online.