Funding Priorities | www.cct.org

Our vision: Metropolitan Chicago will thrive as a major global economic center supporting diverse and sustainable communities. The region will be known not only for its economic prosperity, but also for its success in fostering equity and inclusion, reducing poverty and applying innovative public and private approaches to solve community problems.

Grant making in pursuit of our vision encompasses many of the same areas in which we have traditionally provided funding, now with new strategic focus as we seek to advance four overarching goals for our community:

Community Goal #1: Advancing opportunities for human and economic development

To secure its economic future, Chicago must develop its human capital by improving the quality of education for all students, from pre-kindergarten through higher education, and creating life-long skill training programs to enhance workforce development opportunities.

The region needs to support comprehensive economic development planning and implementation.

Strategic priorities:

• Improve the quality of education for all students.

• Expand effective workforce solutions.

• Support and align strategies for regional economic development.

Education grants

Workforce grants

Economic development grants

Community Goal #2: Securing conditions for healthy, safe, just and caring communities

To address persistent poverty, Chicago must address critical housing issues; reinforce the safety nets for people facing homelessness, hunger and health problems; and find long-term strategies to improve community health and public safety, including reforms to the criminal justice system.

Strategic priorities:

• Sustain and improve the human services safety net.

• Improve access to healthcare and curb the growth of chronic diseases.

• Reduce violence in all its forms.

• Reform justice systems to provide better outcomes for residents and communities.

Community Goal #3: Promoting civic and cultural vitality

To maintain its status as a leading global city—which in turn reinforces economic development—Chicago must invest in the strength of its arts and nonprofit sectors, seek to improve the human relationships among its increasingly diverse population and institute good government practices.

Strategic priorities:

• Ensure that policy makers and residents are informed and engaged.

• Enhance cultural vibrancy, access and diversity

• Strengthen nonprofit performance and public sector governance

• Improve social cohesion and human relations.

Arts & culture grants

Strengthening the public & nonprofit sector grants

Human relations grants

Community Goal #4: Transforming the region through sustainable development

In a time of environmental challenges and increasing global competition for resources, Chicago must begin now to plan and invest in sustainable development strategies, including living in balance with the natural environment, reducing energy use, developing clean energy resources, promoting water conservation and effectively adapting to climate change.

Strategic priorities:

• Advance sustainability policies and community-based practices.

• Protect natural resources and the environment.

Sustainability grants

Environment & natural resources grants

In pursuit of these goals, the Trust issues open, public Requests for Proposals or directly solicits proposals from organizations that demonstrate capacity to deliver strategic outcomes.

In addition, the Trust also offers special funding opportunities made possible by donors with their own distinct interests and goals. Learn more about these special opportunities.

Currently open RFPs:

Artistic & Cultural Diversity
now accepting Letters of Inquiry

There are no grant programs currently accepting proposals. The next Requests for Proposals (RFPs) will be released on March 15, 2012.

You can sign up for automatic email notifications when RFPs are released. Use the menu at the left to select your area(s) of interest, then sign up using the form in the sidebar of that page.

View or print the Trust's grant priorities and timelines.

Check your eligibility to receive funding.