Looking for summer jobs, youth programs, scholarships or grant opportunities connected to Chicago’s South Side? Here are several opportunities for students, families, artists, nonprofits and community organizations to keep on your radar this month.
Note: Deadlines and availability can change quickly. Visit each organization’s official page before applying.
Chicago Youth Works Summer Jobs
Who it’s for: Chicago youth and young adults looking for summer employment and internship opportunities.
What to know: Chicago Youth Works, formerly One Summer Chicago, connects young people across the city with paid work opportunities, youth service corps roles and career-building experiences.
How to apply: Visit the Chicago Youth Works website and use the “Apply for a Summer Job” portal.
Learn more about Chicago Youth Works here.
Centers for New Horizons Summer Jobs
Who it’s for: Chicago youth and CHA residents looking for paid summer work through Chicago Youth Works.
What to know: Centers for New Horizons partners with Chicago Youth Works to provide employment and internship opportunities for more than 500 youth each summer. Its 2026 program dates are June 15-July 24.
Location: Centers for New Horizons, 4150 S. King Drive.
Learn more about Centers for New Horizons summer jobs here.
Chicago Public Library Paid Summer Internships
Who it’s for: Chicago teens looking for paid summer internship opportunities at local library branches.
What to know: Chicago Public Library announced paid summer internships for teens through Chicago Youth Works, with positions available at every CPL library location.
Learn more about Chicago Public Library summer internships here.
After School Matters Summer Programs
Who it’s for: Chicago teens interested in arts, communications, leadership, sports, STEM and other paid summer programs.
What to know: Summer programs run from June 22-August 9. Teens can apply to multiple programs, learn new skills and earn money for participating.
Pay/stipend: After School Matters lists a $480 stipend for eligible 14- and 15-year-old apprenticeship participants and $17.05/hour for eligible internship participants ages 16 and up.
Learn more and apply to After School Matters here.
Forward Momentum Chicago Summer Dance Camp – Englewood
Who it’s for: Youth interested in dance, performance, field trips and summer enrichment.
What to know: The Englewood camp runs June 22-July 31 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Hamilton Park, 513 W. 72nd St.
Cost: $175 for the six-week Englewood camp. Partial scholarships may be available for qualified families.
Bonus opportunity: Forward Momentum Chicago also notes paid camp counselor internship opportunities through After School Matters.
Learn more about Forward Momentum Chicago Summer Dance Camp here.
CHA Summer Youth Programs
Who it’s for: Chicago Housing Authority residents and youth connected to CHA summer programs.
What to know: CHA lists 11 different summer program offerings, including youth employment and specialty programs. Its 2026 timeline includes Learn & Earn, interviews for specialty programs and Summer Youth Employment Program onboarding.
South Side contacts: CHA’s provider list includes service areas covering South Side ZIP codes such as 60609, 60615, 60617, 60619, 60620, 60621, 60628, 60633, 60636, 60637, 60643, 60649, 60653 and 60655.
Learn more about CHA summer youth opportunities here.
CHA/Springboard to Success College Scholarship
Who it’s for: Eligible CHA residents pursuing college.
What to know: The 2026-2027 CHA/Springboard to Success College Scholarship application period is open. CHA/Springboard to Success plans to award more than 175 undergraduate scholarships of $2,000 each.
Deadline: May 30.
Learn more about the CHA/Springboard to Success College Scholarship here.
Timuel D. Black, Jr. Grant Fund for Chicago’s South Side
Who it’s for: Nonprofits, community organizations, faith-based and educational institutions, and other eligible applicants working on South Side preservation projects.
What to know: The Landmarks Illinois grant supports projects that preserve and promote the history, culture and architecture of Chicago’s South Side. Grant amounts range from $500-$10,000 and are awarded on a 3:1 matching basis.
Upcoming deadline: July 1.
Learn more about the Timuel D. Black, Jr. Grant Fund here.
A Road Together Arts Grant
Who it’s for: Chicago-based arts and culture organizations with operating budgets between $25,000 and $1 million.
What to know: A Road Together is a Field Foundation and MacArthur Foundation partnership providing multi-year, unrestricted operating support to small and mid-sized arts organizations, with a focus on Chicago’s South and West Sides.
Deadline: Applications are open through May 15.
Grant range: The 2026 program will award three-year grants to 25 organizations, ranging from $10,000-$100,000 per year.
Learn more about A Road Together here.
Impact Grants Chicago
Who it’s for: Chicago nonprofits seeking transformational grant funding.
What to know: Impact Grants Chicago awards $100,000 grants to local nonprofits addressing challenges facing the city.
Timeline: The organization says the next application opens in September.
Learn more about Impact Grants Chicago here.
Woods Fund Chicago Grants
Who it’s for: Chicago-area organizations and coalitions focused on community organizing and public policy advocacy.
What to know: Woods Fund Chicago supports organizations that build power through community organizing and/or policy advocacy, especially organizations led by and accountable to communities impacted by injustice.
Timeline: The 2026 application windows have passed, but organizations can sign up for updates and prepare for future grant cycles.
Learn more about Woods Fund Chicago grants here.
South Side Help Center Youth Programs
Who it’s for: Youth and families looking for summer enrichment, life skills and prevention programs.
What to know: South Side Help Center offers youth programming that includes recreational activities, creative arts, prevention education, life skills and family violence prevention workshops.
Location: South Side Help Center, 10420 S. Halsted St.
Learn more about South Side Help Center youth programs here.
Illinois CPA Society Accounting Scholarships
Who it’s for: Illinois students pursuing accounting, finance or CPA career pathways.
What to know: The Illinois CPA Society and CPA Endowment Fund of Illinois are accepting scholarship applications for the 2026-2027 academic year, including awards that support future accounting and finance professionals.
Deadline: May 15.
Learn more about Illinois CPA Society scholarships here.
Ladies of Virtue STEMuTiful Summer Camp
Who it’s for: Girls and families interested in Ladies of Virtue programming focused on character development, leadership, career readiness and civic engagement.
What to know: Ladies of Virtue is promoting its STEMuTiful Summer Camp for June 2026. Families can use LOV’s application page to learn more and express interest.
Learn more about Ladies of Virtue opportunities here.
South Side Pitch Competition
Who it’s for: South Side entrepreneurs and small business owners interested in pitching their business for visibility, feedback and award opportunities.
What to know: South Side Pitch is a pitch competition connected to the IJ Clinic on Entrepreneurship. The event page says RSVP details are expected in September 2026.
Learn more about South Side Pitch here.
NABJ Fellowship & Internship Programs
Who it’s for: Students and early-career journalists interested in newsroom internships, fellowships and journalism career pathways.
What to know: The National Association of Black Journalists maintains fellowship and internship program information for emerging journalists. Interested students should check NABJ’s official opportunities and deadlines regularly.
Learn more about NABJ fellowship and internship programs here.
Have an opportunity to share?
If you know about a South Side grant, scholarship, internship, fellowship, summer camp or community program, email hello@chicagosouthsider.com for consideration.
Disclaimer: Please do your due diligence and review the official posting before applying or sharing.
