IMCAP’S New Grant Program For Children With Specialized Learning Needs

By Enrique J. Unanue

The Illinois Masonic Children’s Assistance Program (IMCAP) recognizes and understands the dedication our Masonic Lodges have for children in their local communities. Part of IMCAP’s vision is to partner with Lodges in upholding their Masonic values of being of service to children and families in need in their communities.

As a member of the IMCAP Board of Managers, I have become very aware of the many children needing to supplement their learning skills through exposure to special training and special education programs. It is my personal feeling as a parent and a member of IMCAP that we should, as Masons, utilize our resources to empower our children to reach their maximum potential.

With that in mind I worked with my fellow board members to help develop a new program that will supplement and enhance with specialized learning assistance grants for children in our communities. With the full support of our Grand Lodge Board of Directors, on July 1, 2021, we initiated a new lodge-based program designed to address the challenges faced by children with learning disabilities through our new Children’s Specialized Learning Grant.

The Specialized Learning Grant is a community wide program providing children with learning disabilities with the opportunity to apply for learning grants. Their parent or guardian may apply for those grants to our Masonic Lodges (Grants of up to $5000 per year per child) to cover educational learning needs related to the child’s learning challenges such as enrolling in a specific afterschool program or purchasing software. The application is available on the IMCAP’s website.

An Illinois Masonic Lodge may refer a child with a learning disability from their community to apply for the Specialized Learning Grant. The most important solution is for the Lodges to Sponsor a child’s Specialized Learning Grant application by:

1. Communicating with the parents about the child’s learning needs.

2. Voting to approve Sponsoring the child’s application

3. Writing a Sponsorship Letter that includes: a. Vote taken by Lodge to sponsor the child for the Learning Grant. b. Name of the child and his/her date of birth. c. How the child would benefit from receiving a Learning Grant.

4. The letter can be written by the Master or the Secretary of the lodge.

5. The letter must be sent to IMCAP via email, fax, or mail.

The completed Specialized Learning Grant application will then be reviewed and processed by IMCAP, and the Board of Managers (BOM) will determine funding approval during our monthly meetings. The BOM will set the total amount of funds available per fiscal year for grants. At the time the allocated funds are used, the program will be closed to applications until the next fiscal year.

The eligibility requirements are as follows:

1. Child must be attending high school or lower grades.

2. Must reside in the State of Illinois.

3. No Masonic family connection is required to apply.

4. The grant application must be endorsed and submitted by an Illinois Masonic lodge.

5. The child’s family must demonstrate financial need.

6. Evidence of a learning disability must be provided to qualify.

7. The following learning disabilities are eligible:

• Dyslexia

• Dyscalculia

• Dysgraphia

• Scotopic Sensitivity

• Speech Language Disability

• Working Memory Deficit

• Long-Term Memory Deficit

• Executive Functioning Deficit

• Pervasive Developmental Delay

• Processing Speed Disorder

• Auditory Processing Disorder

• Sensory Integration Disorder

• Visual Perception Disability

• Non-Verbal Learning Disability

• Memory Recall Deficit

• Ocular Motor Deficits

• Developmental Coordination Disorder

Grant details, scope, application, and assistance determination process information is available by contacting our IMCAP Director, Gale Kilbury at the Grand Lodge Offices or go to IMCAP.org.

It is our hope that this program is able to make a difference in the lives of these children with special needs.

Enrique J. Unanue, MSA, 33rd