Philanthropy is not just about receiving, but giving as well. Our work with the Southland Community, Volunteers, and Auxiliary and Senior Life activities helps the Ingalls Development Foundation philanthropy efforts come full circle. While UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Hospital’s mission is to improve the health of the communities we serve, the total wellbeing of the communities we serve are important to us too.
Community Relations and Benefit Serving beyond our walls
We have a special interest in making distributions to qualified organizations that provide quality health care, health related prevention and community health and wellness activities identified in the community health needs assessment.
UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial offers and supports programs and services to improve the health of our community. We conduct a Community Health Needs Assessment on a regular basis and develop a strategic implementation plan to improve the health of residents in our 13-zip code Southland service area.
UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial offers and supports programs and services to improve the health of our community.
Community Impact Grant Opportunity
UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Community benefit Impact program offers grants to support health and wellness initiatives in Southland communities. Any non-profit organization located or serving people living in the Thornton Township are eligible to apply
UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial has closed its application window for the 2026-2027 Community Impact Grant.
Grant details below:
- Total Funding Available: $100,000
- Range of Award Amounts: $15,000 – $25,000 for 1 year
- Estimated Award Date: Late May 2026
- Grant Period: June 29, 2026 – June 30, 2027
- Total Project Period Length: 1 year
Eligible programs must meet at least one of the following goals:
- Prevent and manage diabetes and/or heart disease by focusing on at least one of following social determinants of health (SDOH):
- Economic & workforce stability
- Housing stability
- Healthy food access
- Reduce health inequities driven by one of the following social determinants of health (SDOH) through youth-informed and youth-engaged approaches, targeting one of the following:
- Economic & workforce stability
- Housing stability
- Healthy food access
Community Benefit Health Outreach
We’ve hosted more than 200 free community screenings, educational programs and health fairs each year, touching the lives of nearly 50,000 individuals. Our community screenings include free or discounted mammograms, prostate screenings, and free or discounted children’s physicals and immunizations. Our employees, physicians and volunteers attend many community outreach activities. Each year, our staff brings holiday joy to hundreds of families through food and toy donations.
Please connect with us to receive information on new community events.
Community Scholarships
Annually the Ingalls Development Foundation partners with the Thornton Township School District #205 to help launch the college careers of high school seniors pursuing healthcare related professions.
Congratulations to our Thornton Township Fall 2026 Scholarship Recipients!
The Ingalls Development Foundation on Thursday, May 7, celebrated 53 Thornton Township High School District 205 graduates pursuing health-related fields, distributing more than $40,000 in scholarships. The foundation’s Community Scholarships have recognized student excellence for two decades and awarded $697,689 in scholarships. The 2026 scholarship winners are listed below:
Malakhi Adams
Amira Ademoye
Anniyah Allen
Isabella Almazan
Deniel Anglin Jr.
Lizbeth Arredondo
Hadizat Babalola
Semari Baker
Patience Boykin
Madison Bryant
Aniyah Coleman
Aiden Davis
Lusandra Dory
Kelis Ford
Okorie Godwin
Jeremiah Gordon
Tyra Hannah
Kyra Hannah
Javaeh Harris
Destanie Holloway
Meyah Jefferson
Miyah Jefferson
Damiano Jenkins
Jade Johnson
Alaiyah Johnson Patterson
Jordan Jones
Trinity Knight
Samantha Lara
Neeya Lewis
Julian Mancillas
Malik Oladokun
Chelsea Olatunde
Cherish Pitts
Aniyah Plowden
Arianna Reese
Jimena Rodriguez
Hector Romero
Heaven Rodgers
Vanessa Ruiz
Myangel Russell
Michael Samuel
Chloe Shotwell
Lanyia Simmons
A’Jewelise Smothers
Aubrey Staggers
Mekhi Triplett
Natalie Vergara
Denard Williams
Tiaira Witcher
“UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial is deeply committed to strengthening the community. This scholarship is one way we invest in the future,” said Gretchen Pacholek, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, Ingalls Memorial Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer, told the students. “Our hope is that many of you will one day return to this community, not just as professionals, but as change makers, helping to transform how we deliver healthcare and support those around us.”