Financial Assistance and Grant Programs Resources
Mercy Housing is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to providing affordable housing. Mercy Housing offers affordable rental properties in the Chicago area to low- and moderate-income families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. Its programs include:
- Supportive housing for the formerly unhoused
- Transitional housing
- Permanent rental
- Affordable homeownership
Each Mercy Housing community has its own leasing office and its own application process. Use the search tool to find a list of communities and search by city. If you have general questions about low-income assistance, please contact the corporate office at (866) 338-0557.
Mercy Medical Angels provides transportation assistance for a wide range of medical needs, including specialty consultations and second opinions, surgeries and surgical follow-ups, cardiac care and heart procedures, mental health treatment, diagnostic testing (MRI, CT scans and biopsies), and more. Transportation options for individuals and families with financial need can include a gas card for local appointments, a private pilot flight across state lines, or a commercial ticket for longer distances for one-time appointments and recurring treatments. The Mercy Medical Angels Team reviews applications to find the right solution for each situation.
Mercy Medical Angels travel requirements include:
- The travel is for medically necessary care or clinical trials
- You cannot afford the cost of travel on your own
- You’re able to travel without medical supervision (with or without a caregiver)
- You’re traveling 50-plus miles one way or totaling 100 or miles per month (ground) or 200-plus miles (air)
- Your appointment is scheduled within the next 45 days
- You are based in the United States and traveling to a U.S. facility
For more details, please reach out to Mercy Medical Angels.
Metropolitan Family Services provides a variety of services throughout Chicago, DuPage County, Evanston, Skokie and the southwest suburbs to help families learn, earn, heal and thrive. Metropolitan Family Services programs include:
- Early learning
- Afterschool
- Job readiness
- Counseling and mental health
- Legal assistance
For questions, please contact Metropolitan Family Services.
Mid Central Community Action (MCCA) provides support, advocacy, and education for individuals and families in McLean and Livingston Counties. MCCA works to eliminate domestic violence, combat homelessness, and create a community hub for financial stability.
Midwest Food Bank of Illinois-Bloomington-Normal
Midwest Food Bank of Illinois-Bloomington-Normal provides food to nonprofit agencies across Central Illinois and beyond. Organizations include food pantries, homeless shelters, residential programs and children’s food programs. In an effort to serve more agencies, Midwest Food Bank offers volunteer opportunities and several off-site places where agencies can pick up food.
Midwest Food Bank of Illinois-Bloomington-Normal’s website also includes:
- Frequently asked questions about the food bank with more information
- Help with finding food resources in your area
Migrant Ministry of the Catholic Parishes of Oak Park provides a variety of support services to help migrants and asylum seekers work toward achieving financial independence. Located at the former St. Edmund School (now St. Edmund Center) at 200 S. Oak Park Ave. in Oak Park.
Migrant Ministry offers:
- Resources
- Advocacy
- Help finding food, housing and other supports
- Family mentors
Miracle League of Central Illinois
The Miracle League of Central Illinois is a league for children and adults with disabilities that enables them to play baseball on a specially designed adaptive field. The Miracle League of Central Illinois and the town of Normal, Ill., partner to provide this program to a wide range of participants. Scholarships are available to help youth of all abilities participate.
Visit the Miracle League of Central Illinois website to learn more.
Mother’s Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes
Mothers’ Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes provides safe, pasteurized donor human milk to premature and critically ill babies.
Milk Bank WGL also supports moms who donate milk after loss and distributes reduced-cost or free donor milk to chronically ill middle and low-income children.
This non-profit organization serves over 75 hospitals and hundreds of families throughout Illinois and Wisconsin. Use the locator tool to find a Milk Depot near you.
MPHI Center for Precision Public Health
The MPHI Center for Precision Public Health provides educational opportunities for clinicians, public health professionals, community organizations and families. The center focuses on improving the health and well-being of all through research, supporting data-driven initiatives, facilitating community-led program development, and providing technical assistance.
MPHI also provides free CME and CE Modules for families and professionals. Topics include:
- Improving care for developmental disabilities and dysmorphic features
- Patient-centered newborn screening communication
- Decoding genetic test reports for frontline clinicians
Muscular Dystrophy Association
The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) provides comprehensive information and resources to help with understanding, managing and living day-to-day with muscular dystrophy and related neuromuscular diseases.
MDA programs and resources include:
- The MDA Resource Center providing one-on-one support by phone or email for individuals and families looking for resources, activities and more
- Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Grant Program
- Nationwide summer camps
- Resources for caregivers
- Community education and services