Grant Programs

Wellness Grant Program

Wellness Grants for Leaders + Frontline Workers

The Lumpkin Family Foundation (LFF) recognizes that burnout is a constant threat to the sustainability of our grantee organizations and would be remiss if we did not prioritize the mental wellness of the people who lead, manage, and labor on the frontlines within the communities in which they serve. To that end, LFF has developed the Wellness Grant program to support the mental health and wellbeing of grantee staff and leaders.

Sabbatical Leave: New this year, organizations can apply for up to $10,000 toward sabbatical leave for a senior leader (e.g., Executive Director, President/CEO, or another senior leader). Sabbaticals must be a minimum of 6 weeks in duration and adhere to the leave or sabbatical policies of the organization applying for funding.*

Wellness Grants: Non-profit organizations that have received LFF funding during the last 3 years (2022-2025) may apply for funding to support the mental health and wellness of their leaders and staff. These are one-time grants of up to $2,500. Organizations may apply for this funding in addition to other funding opportunities as outlined on our website.

*Note: Organizations cannot apply for both a Wellness Grant and a Sabbatical Leave grant in the same funding cycle.

Eligibility: Any LFF grantee who has received funding from the Foundation within the last 3 years (2022-2025) will be considered. This includes 2025 grantees of North Lawndale Fresh. Preference will be given to organizations with budgets of less than $1 Million dollars that have not previously received a Wellness Grant from the Lumpkin Family Foundation.

 

Find a recorded information session on the 2025 Wellness Grant program on the LFF YouTube page.

 

Grant Deadlines:

Next Grant Cycle Opens:
June 2026

Program Contact

Apply Here

Amount Donated:

$83,900

Grants Awarded:

23

view past grantees

East Central Illinois and Chicagoland

Region

Please Direct Inquiries To:

Monique B. Schlictman

Monique B. Schlichtman

Senior Program Officer, Chicago

Phone: 773-420-7047

Email: monique@lumpkinfoundation.org

Grant News

Coles County

Foundation News, Videos
Posted May 28, 2025

Wellness Grant Program Information Session

Read More

LFF to Offer Wellness Grants

Foundation News
Posted July 18, 2024

LFF Offers Wellness Grants

Read More

All News

Recent Grantees

Sola Gratia Farm

2025

Awarded: $10,000.00

A sabbatical period for the organization's Director after 12 years of leadership for deep rest including detachment from communications, an hourly calendar, staff direction and management, and day-to-day operations. A significant portion of the leave will be used to visit community and mission-based farms in other regions working towards food justice in order to gain insight, inspiration and affirmation to further advance Sola Gratia Farm’s charitable purpose and impact.

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The RE-AMP Network (Fiscal Sponsor: The Minneapolis Foundation)

2025

Awarded: $10,000.00

A sabbatical period for the Network's CEO to sit, reflect, and write about the needs of the climate solutions movement and how RE-AMP might approach meeting these needs.

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Light of Loving Kindness

2025

Awarded: $10,000.00

A sabbatical period for the organization's Director for travel to Costa Rica for rest and to advance their Spanish speaking skills to a higher level of expertise.

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The Good Food Catalyst

2025

Awarded: $10,000.00

A sabbatical period for the organization's CEO -- a strategic investment in sustaining the strong, future-focused leadership that has propelled their growth and deepened their community impact.

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Urban Autism Solutions

2025

Awarded: $2,500.00

To support a late summer team-building outing, where staff members will spend an afternoon together in a relaxing environment, sharing a meal and strengthening interpersonal relationships. In addition to this group activity, the grant will fund an year-long individualized health and wellness benefit for each of our twelve staff members, who may select one of four options: a Divvy bike membership, a Calm App subscription, a Chicago Parks District gym membership, or a Chicago museum membership.

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Heart of Illinois Community Foundation

2025

Awarded: $2,500.00

To support a rejuvenating staff retreat experience in Galena, IL designed to provide wellness activities that help us strengthen bonds, rest, and mitigate work burnout. The retreat will occur in October prior to entering our extremely busy season at the foundation.

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View All Past Grantees