The Mental Health Resource League for McHenry County was founded in 1967 as an auxillary to the McHenry Mental Health Center. MHRL broadened its scope in 1967 to give financial aid to mental health-related agencies in McHenry County. The all-volunteer league has a membership of over 100 men and women who raise funds to help McHenry County mental health agencies supply the services needed in areas such as crisis hotlines, youth programs, abuse, addictions and developmental disabilities.

In 1969, the first Fair Diddley® Craft Show netted $500 for the agencies. Even though the MHRL was forced to cancel it's Fair Diddley® show in 2021, the Fall Diddley® show was held at the Boone County Fairgrounds in Belvidere, IL. Due to COVID restrictions, the annual meeting did not take place in January, 2022. However, the MHRL was still able to award $130,000 from the proceeds of its Fall Diddley® show to the sixteen McHenry County agencies the League supports. Since it's inception in 1967, MHRL has awarded over $6.5 MILLION to our various McHenry County agencies.

Immediate Grants Fund

MHRL's Immediate Grants Fund (IGF) is still active and ready to help agencies who face small (unplanned for) funding needs. The IGF program awards small ($500 or less) grants to McHenry County non-profits needing immediate help for everyday expenses or emergencies. Agencies applying for IGF grants must be based in McHenry County and delivering services in the mental health area. IGF grant recipients need not be MHRL supported agencies and all non-profits in McHenry County providing services for mental health needs are eligible.

For more information on IGF, visit our News link.