🎒
Back to School Bash
Backpacks & school supplies for ages 5–18 so every kid starts the year ready to win.
501(c)(3) Nonprofit
Empowering youth. Uplifting community.
Forgive My Grind Foundation Inc. delivers dynamic skill development, mentorship, and real resources to youth and neighbors who need them most.
- 10+
- years on the ground
- 3
- annual flagship events
- 75%
- of proceeds to mission
Since day one ⚡
Made with love ✊
Mentorship★Skill Building★Community★Job Creation★Hope★Opportunity★Mentorship★Skill Building★Community★Job Creation★Hope★Opportunity★Mentorship★Skill Building★Community★Job Creation★Hope★Opportunity★
Mo The Barber ✊
A message from our president
From the barber chair to the boardroom.
"Real change starts with understanding."
For years, I've had a growing concern about our youth and underprivileged community members, who see potential go untapped due to limited access to resources and opportunities.
Through my work as a barber, neighbor, and volunteer, I've witnessed these challenges firsthand. Seeing the need, I founded Forgive My Grind Foundation Inc. to help restore balance and create opportunity where it's needed most.
Through job creation and skill development, I strive to empower individuals to build stronger futures for themselves and their families. With the continued support of an amazing community, we can uplift lives and create pathways toward lasting impact.
What drives us every day.
A catalyst for change — providing resources, education, and support to those who need them most.
Mission
Unlock potential, every day.
Empowering youth through dynamic skill development and transformative mentorship — equipping them with the tools they need to not just survive, but thrive.
Vision
A fearless next generation.
A future where every young person is empowered with the skills and confidence to chase their dreams fearlessly — growing and thriving together.
Purpose
Skills for the long run.
Tackle the pressing challenges youth face by providing innovative educational programs that build practical skills and foster personal development.
1
Empower youth with essential life skills for success.
2
Cultivate mentorship that inspires personal & professional growth.
3
Build a vibrant community where youth chase their dreams.
Impact in action
Real people. Real days.
Every photo below is a neighbor we served, a kid we sent back to school ready, or a volunteer who showed up. Swipe through.
Programs
How we show up.
🍽️
Feed the Homeless
Food, clothing, shoes & care packages distributed during the Thanksgiving season.
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The Giving Tree
Adopt a child or family for the holidays. Smiles delivered on Christmas morning.
💈
BYOB Initiative
Be Your Own Boss — barbering & entrepreneurship training with Moe the BarbHer.
Read the barber apprenticeship guide →🤝
Community Connections
We bridge people who want to help with neighbors who need support.
🥫
Community Food Bank
Donations from local businesses fueling the fight against hunger.
Moe the Barber 💈
Free cuts ✂️
Cuts for the Cause
A fresh cut for the moments that matter most.
Moe the Barber gives free haircuts to students graduating and neighbors preparing for job interviews — because walking into your next chapter with confidence should never depend on your wallet. Every cut is a reminder: you showed up, you grinded, and you deserve to look the part.
🎓
Graduation Cuts
Sharp line-ups for grads walking across the stage.
💼
Interview-Ready Cuts
Fresh fades for neighbors heading into job interviews.
Dressed to impress 👔
Youth Career Day 🎓
Job Readiness
Suited up and ready for what's next.
FMG proudly presented our first Youth Career Day — the start of a series of events built to prepare today's youth for tomorrow's opportunities. Students picked out professional attire, practiced their ties and first impressions, and left with the tools to build confidence, character, career readiness, and a real sense of community.
👔
Suit Up Sessions
Professional attire, grooming, and hygiene resources so every student walks in looking the part.
🗺️
Career Action Plans
Resumes, financial literacy basics, and a personal plan for every ambition.
🗓️ Career Day returns every quarter — and every young person left motivated and prepared to go after what's next.
Smart Money — I Got This!
Money skills they'll actually use.
Our Smart Money — I Got This! curriculum turns real-world money skills into games, challenges, and hands-on activities tailored to each age group. Preteens learn how money is earned, how to make smart spending choices, and what every decision really costs. Teens go deeper — budgeting, saving, and getting ready for the independence that's right around the corner.
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Preteens: Earn & Learn
Where money comes from, how to spend it wisely, and what every choice costs.
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Teens: Build the Budget
Budgeting, savings goals, and a real head start on financial independence.
✓ Earning money✓ Smart spending✓ Budgeting✓ Savings goals✓ Responsibility✓ Hands-on & fun
💰 By building responsibility and discipline early, our young people walk into adulthood ready for whatever money throws at them — and they have a blast learning it.
Money moves 💰
Financial literacy 💸
Upcoming events
Volunteer →Mark your calendar.
Nov 26
Happy Thanksgiving
Hot food, drinks & essentials for neighbors in need
01 / 02
Dec 20
Christmas Winter Wonderland
Holiday joy for all ages
02 / 02
Nov 26 · Featured
Happy Thanksgiving 🦃
FMG Foundation Inc. is teaming up this Thanksgiving to bless others. We'll be passing out hot food, hot drinks, and water to our neighbors in need.
What to donate
- 🥫 Canned / boxed foods
- 🍼 Baby formula + baby essentials
- 🧼 Hygiene + cleaning products
- 🍪 Non-perishable snacks
- 🧤 Clothes
- 👟 Shoes
Ways to give
No amount is too small.
- 📍 Drop off: TBD
- 💜 Zelle: Scan QR / (708) 971-6916
- 💸 Cash App: $fmgfoundinc
- 🙌 Volunteer with our team
*All donations can be picked up per request or dropped off year-round. Any monies donated will be used toward toiletries, socks, underwear, blankets, rooms for the night, and other necessities.
Annual Drive
🌟 Join Us for Our Clothing & Coat Drive!
As the temperatures drop and the holiday season approaches, many in our community find themselves in need of a little extra warmth and support. We're thrilled to announce our Annual Clothing and Coat Drive — and we need YOUR help to make it a success!
📅 When
Thursday – Saturday
📍 Where
8936 S Cottage Grove, Chicago, IL 60619
What we're collecting
- • Warm coats — all sizes (children's & adults')
- • Sweaters and hoodies
- • Winter accessories — hats, gloves, scarves, socks
- • Gently used seasonal clothing
Why it matters
Every year, countless individuals and families face the harsh realities of winter without proper clothing. Your donations go directly to those in need — keeping neighbors warm and comfortable during the cold months ahead.
Together, we can make a difference and show our community the power of compassion.
Volunteer / Ask a question →This drive is not just about clothing — it's about building a community that cares. What item from your closet will you donate?
The Giving Tree 🎄
Adopt a child or family this holiday season.
Submissions open October 1 and close December 14. Recipients are selected by December 20. Share the circumstances, ages, and shoe/clothing sizes — and don't forget a wish list of real needs and a few dream gifts.
- ★Tell the real story — what's preventing Christmas this year.
- ★List real needs first: coats, shoes, school supplies.
- ★Include a wish list of dream gifts, too.
- ★Always include names, ages, shoe & clothing sizes, contact number.
Help our cause.
Fundraisers and donations are the lifeline of our organization. 75% of all proceeds fund our programs, conditions, and our mission to acquire a property.
Donations of backpacks and school supplies can be dropped off Tuesday–Saturday, 9a–5p. Year-round pickups available on request.
FMG Apparel
Shop all The FMG Shop is now open.
FMG Foundation. Long sleeve hoodies.
Lend a helping hand
Let's build something together.
A nonprofit is as strong as the community that holds it up. Volunteer, partner, or just say hi — we'd love to hear from you.
- ✉️support@fmgfoundationinc.org
- 📞1 (833) 364-2919
- 🕘Drop-offs Tuesday–Saturday, 9a–5p
- ⚡Pickups available year-round by request
- 📝Share your story with the foundation