Thousands of volunteers, donors, and community members have helped Paying It Forward thrive over the years. We established in July 2013 as a small, social media-based community help group. Over the years, we banded together as neighbors and have been able to help tens of thousands of people through our local outreach programs. Seeing a need for energetic, nonprofit work in the IL and NWI area, we formed our organization to provide solutions that give back to locals. We've consistently grown since then, all thanks to the helping hands of this amazing community!

To showcase some of our recent growth, Paying It Forward opened a nonprofit office in June of 2021, followed by our community resource center in October of 2023. New parents in need of things like diapers and other baby items, as well as folks needing necessities like toiletries, can stop in for assistance. Our resource center allows people to build resumes and apply for jobs, apply to financial assistance programs, and receive guidance on other things for which they may be eligible. Donations are accepted to help fund our many programs, with 100% of the proceeds going right back to the people.