Opportunities
All open grant opportunities through The Chicago Community Trust will be developed in the months ahead and shared here.
Current Funding Opportunities
| Arts & Culture for Community Wealth – Collective Power | This funding opportunity seeks to support projects that integrate arts and culture into public spaces and drive economic growth in underinvested communities. |
| Capacity Building Grant 2025 – Press Forward Chicago | Recognizing the critical role journalism plays in the civic health of our city, Press Forward Chicago was created to support efforts that enrich the quality, reach and diversity of news reporting in the Chicago region. This Request for Proposals will focus on capacity building. |
| Transfer Innovation Impact Model (TIIM) – Household Wealth | The funding opportunity invites organizations to apply for a one-year planning grant to develop and advance a transfer model that dramatically improves the bachelor’s degree completion of Chicago community college students. |
| Pre-Development Fund – Community Wealth | Through this program, the Trust seeks to support neighborhood-scale development projects that catalyze economic growth and create thriving neighborhoods where residents can stay and grow their wealth with improved quality of life and well-being, regardless of income. |
| Sponsorships | This funding opportunity provides sponsorship support for programming events, such as meetings, panels, forums, and conferences. |
Partnerships & Initiatives
In addition to our own discretionary grants, the Trust has also created many special initiatives and partnerships that retain their unique identity through independent grantmaking.
Click here to learn more about our Partnerships & Initiatives.
Eligibility
The Trust funds nonprofit agencies with evidence of tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that are not classified as private foundations. We also accept applications from agencies that have a nonprofit fiscal sponsor.
Each grant opportunity will have its own additional criteria for funding.
As a community foundation, the Trust’s grants are awarded to organizations that benefit residents of the Chicago region. There may on occasion be a specific initiative that awards a grant to a project that extends beyond our region, but these are rare and strategic exceptions.
The Trust does not provide discretionary funding to projects or organizations outside of the United States.
How to Apply
The Trust offers funding to support our strategic priorities. Explore our grant application process.
How to ApplyOur Strategic Plan
The Trust brings together generous donors, committed organizations, and caring residents to effect lasting change that makes our region better for all.
Our Work