Emergency Fund - Helping People Today For Tomorrow.

Our Services

Countless everyday Chicagoans are living on the verge of poverty. They are single adults, young couples, families with children, and seniors - who may live in your neighborhood. They are working and able to make ends meet, that is, until they experience a life change that puts them in crisis or transition.

But, this is all preventable. Providing financial assistance and support services to Chicagoans at these critical moments in their lives has a stabilizing effect. Through a collaborative network of 60 partner agencies, the Emergency Fund distributes assistance on behalf of low-income Chicago residents facing emergency situations. At each agency, a volunteer Fund Manager disburses our funds to eliminate these crises and to promote self sufficiency.

Through our programs, we aim to achieve these goals:

To prevent homelessness whenever possible by increasing the financial assistance available to families in need
To support low-income people in achieving self-sufficiency by providing short-term financial assistance while they attend high-quality employment or educational programs
To improve access for families seeking homelessness prevention funds
To support the prevention objectives of the Chicago Alliance to End Homelessness (formerly the Continuum of Care and Partnership to End Homelessness) and the Collaborative Plan to End Homelessness

Our programs include:

Need Help? If you live in Chicago, dial 3-1-1 and ask for "Short-Term Help" to be screened for the Emergency Fund's financial assistance.

The Emergency Fund provides immediate financial assistance to help low income Chicago area individuals and families through a crisis or transition.

Our Services

The Emergency Fund provides immediate financial
assistance to help low income Chicago area individuals
and families through a crisis or transition.