GreenLight Fund Invests in Bringing SIRUM to Chicago

Tech-based social enterprise to reach 60,000 patients with low-incomes in the next 4 years with needed prescription medication

Chicago, IL – February 9th, 2026 – GreenLight Fund announces an investment to bring SIRUM to Chicago, a nonprofit organization that connects unused, surplus medicine with people who need it. With the help of GreenLight Fund Chicago, SIRUM will partner with local hospitals, clinics, and health centers to help patients gain access to affordable medication. In 2026 alone, 9,000 patients with low-incomes will gain access to prescribed medication through SIRUM’s programs and pharmacy service, with that number growing in subsequent years. This investment is the result of GreenLight Chicago hearing repeatedly from community residents and leaders that the high cost of healthcare is a barrier towards economic mobility for families. 

“We know that people in our own community have to make the decision between life saving medication or rent and food. Sadly, medication is routinely skipped or taken in smaller doses than prescribed to make it last longer. Being part of GreenLight’s selection process brought this into focus and made it clear that having SIRUM in Chicago will make many children and adults’ lives healthier and safer.” added Mary Kate Daly, Chief of Community Health at Lurie Children’s Hospital and GreenLight Selection Advisory Council member.

GreenLight Chicago led a comprehensive year-long process in partnership with leaders and residents across the community which identified the far-reaching consequences health care costs have on families, especially those with lower incomes. In Chicago, the markup for medication ranges from 5% to 500% depending on the drug and pharmacy chosen. GreenLight Chicago searched the country and vetted evidence-based nonprofits to address this priority need. In collaboration with their Selection Advisory Council, a diverse group of leaders, residents and experts, GreenLight selected and invested in SIRUM, a program that has helped 500,000+ uninsured and underinsured patients across the country get access to life-saving medicine translating to almost three million prescriptions.

In Chicago, SIRUM aims to serve 60,000 patients over the next four years, saving individuals and families $8 million in that time period.

“Thousands of Chicago residents will see increased access to medicine each year resulting in improved health outcomes, breaking down a barrier to economic mobility that we heard loud and clear from residents in Chicago,” said Hermilo Hinojosa, GreenLight Chicago Executive Director. “We already have health organizations excited to partner with SIRUM. Their streamlined process is simple and accessible, so patients can get the medications they need to be able to live a more prosperous, longer life. SIRUM is here to lessen the burden of healthcare costs. We could not be more excited to have them join our network.”

Kiah Williams, Co-founder of SIRUM shared, “GreenLight Fund Chicago’s investment in SIRUM accelerates the next chapter of healthcare access in Chicago. After working with the Illinois Prescription Drug Repository Coalition to enable statewide medicine redistribution, SIRUM’s excited to now focus locally: partnering with trusted, on-the-ground organizations and building new community alliances to prioritize medication access. With the help of GreenLight and community leaders, we’ll reach Chicagoans who need care most so families can remain healthy and thrive.”

SIRUM will connect with local hospitals, clinics, health centers, and other community organizations to establish their role as a medicine access solution. Their model takes legally donated medicine and redistributes it to community partners or individual patients for low or sometimes even free cost. When a patient is seen by a doctor and prescribed medicine, patients can have their medications filled by SIRUM’s pharmacy service, Good Pill, and have it mailed directly to their home, including automatic refills as appropriate. Over 600 medications are available, most for just a $2 administrative fee per month. SIRUM also works with partners like clinics or health centers who can receive prescriptions and offer them directly to patients at a low or free cost.