Resource Directory /

Financial Assistance and Grant Programs Resources

  • More Than Project

    The More Than Project is a non-profit that supports special needs families through resources for caregivers, siblings and diagnoses. It aims to empower the entire family unit with understanding, community and compassion. It offers help and support that includes:

    • Two larger-scale, in-person retreats a year where caregivers can relax and get a much-needed respite
    • The More Than A Sibling program offering grants to siblings of children with disabilities
    • The More Than A Teacher program providing sensory rooms to schools, creating more inclusive environments for students

    For questions, contact the More Than Project online.

  • 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

  • My Pantry Express

    Northern Illinois Food Bank has launched My Pantry Express, an online source for groceries. The program allows families in need of food assistance to choose specific grocery items and pick them up at a preferred participating location.

    Pickup locations are available in the following counties: DeKalb, DuPage, Lake, Will, Winnebago.

  • myFace

    myFace is a nonprofit organization that provides individuals and families affected by cleft and other craniofacial differences access to personal stories, education and support.

    Resources include:

    • Information on craniofacial conditions
    • Parent resources
    • Virtual craniofacial support groups and networking opportunities
    • Educational webinars and podcasts
    • Home Away From Home family apartments to use during medical care

    For questions, please contact myFace at (917) 720-4701 or info@myface.org.

  • National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes

    The National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes (NDC) shares information, networks, and strategies to improve continuing education and training for deaf people. It offers online courses, online gaming tools for youth, evidence-based resources, webinars and more.

    NDC resources include:

    • Free online learning modules and webinars for teens, college students and professionals
    • Planning tools, tips and more for high school and college students
    • Disability services providers portal and online training modules
    • Deaf culture and awareness resources
    • Deafverse, a choose-your-own-adventure online game created just for deaf teenagers

  • National Disability Institute

    The National Disability Institute (NDI) collaborates with organizations nationwide to empower people with disabilities and their families to make informed financial decisions and build a better future. NDI offers a wide variety of webinars, tip sheets, information and resources to help people with disabilities achieve employment, financial stability and independence.

    NDI resources include:

    If you have questions, please email info@ndi-inc.org or call (202) 296-2040.

  • National Domestic Violence Hotline

    Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, the National Domestic Violence Hotline provides essential tools and support to help survivors of domestic violence so they can live their lives free of abuse.

    Contacts to The Hotline can expect highly-trained, expert advocates to offer free, confidential, and compassionate support, crisis intervention information, education and referral services in over 200 languages.

    Call (800) 799-SAFE (7233) or (800) 787-3224 (TTY). You can also text “START” to 88788 or chat live on The Hotline website.

  • National Federation of the Blind

    The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind people in the United States. NFB helps create a wide range of opportunities for children and adults who are blind in all 50 states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico. Programs and services cover a wide range of areas, including advocacy, education, Braille certification, parent support and resources, training, employment, technology and more.

    A small sampling of NFB resources includes:

    For more information, contact NFB at (410) 659-9314 or nfb@nfb.org

    There is also an Illinois chapter. Visit the National Federation of the Blind in Illinois website, call (312) 343-8396, or email  president@nfbofillinois.org.