What is NextGen Leaders in Philanthropy?
NextGen Leaders is a giving group for emerging professionals and philanthropists in the Oak Park-River Forest area, whose mission is to make a positive impact on the community and to develop its members into lifelong philanthropists.
Each spring, through an innovative video grant making process, we award capacity-building grants for small organizations or projects with operating budgets of less than $1,000,000 to increase their operational effectiveness and bring them to the next level of growth.
It is our hope that through organic membership growth, we will expand our Funds and presence in the community as one of its long-standing philanthropic contributors.
Join NextGen Leaders in Philanthropy to…
- Collaborate with a diverse network of emerging professionals
- Engage in social and fundraising events
- Directly participate in our grant-awarding process
Download a new member application here.
Learn more about grant submissions
2019 Grant Recipients
NextGen Leaders in Philanthropy is pleased to announce this year's grant recipients:
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We award small capacity building grants (up to $2,000) to organizations or projects with operating budgets of less than $1M that serve Oak Park-River Forest and our immediate surrounding communities.
2020 Grant Cycle:
March 16 to May 1, 2020: Accepting submissions
Download grant submissions guidelines
May 4 to May 25, 2020: Video submissions reviewed by NextGen grant committee; follow up as needed
June 22, 2020: Awards Announced
Committees & Roles
Advisory Committee (3 meetings)
- determine overall strategy for group
- recruit new members
- elect committee officers
- review fund performance
- approve grant recommendations
- meet quarterly
Grants Sub-Committee (4 meetings)
- develop criteria for award and selection
- complete initial screening of proposals; determine final candidates
- review previous years’ awardees progress
- meet bi-monthly
- members at large may volunteer
Social & Fundraising Event Sub-Committee (4 planning meetings)
- plan fun quarterly social and philanthropic events
- recruit speakers
- meet bi-monthly
- members at large may volunteer
Questions about the grant submission process or how to become a NextGen Leaders member? Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Senior Philanthropic Advisor, or call 708-848-1560
Advisory Committee Members
Lauren Brightmore, Development & Event Coordinator, Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry
Jennifer Convey, Senior Associate Consultant at Giving Tree Associates
Judy Conway, Attorney at Cooney & Conway 
Connor Flynn, Buyer at Alliance Paper & Foodservice Equipment
Beth Gunzel, Community Engagement Coordinator, Heifer International
Laura Gutierrez, Administrative Assistant, Programs at The Chicago Community Trust
Diana Shea, Yoga Teacher and Director at The Yoga Centre, www.DianaShea.com
Michael Starrick, Personal Banker at Community Bank of Oak Park River Forest
Maggie Sullivan, Account Coordinator at C.H. Robinson
Ross Wasserstrom, Vice President, Operations at Avenue Computer
Cheryl Wisniewski
Members-at-Large
- Meridian Herman, Market Maven, The Salvation Army Chicago Metropolitan Division
- Mark Walden, Program Coordinator, Oak Park-River Forest Chamber of Commerce
- Doug Weismantle, Senior Accountant at AY USA - Intelligent Real Estate Solutions
- Rhea Yap, Senior Philanthropic Advisor, Oak Park and River Forest Community Foundation
- Ken Zimmer, Financial Planning Specialist
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