RFP: Coalitions Advancing Economic Mobility – Policy Change

Background

The Chicago Community Trust’s Policy Change strategy seeks to create a more equitable and prosperous Chicago region by advancing policies, systems and practices that expand economic opportunity and increase household and community well-being among financially vulnerable individuals and communities.

The Trust recognizes that many of the barriers to financial stability and economic mobility are rooted in public policies, institutional practices, and systems that have historically limited access to opportunity for certain communities. Because policy-driven inequities require policy-driven solutions, the Trust supports efforts to identify, advance and implement reforms that promote economic security, reduce disparities in access to opportunities, and foster inclusive neighborhood growth.

The Trust advances this work by supporting policy research, advocacy, coalition-building, civic engagement, leadership development, public education, and other charitable activities that inform decision-making and strengthen the capacity of residents, nonprofit organizations, and public institutions to address systemic challenges. The Trust also supports efforts to ensure that public policies are informed by research, resident experience, and the expertise of organizations working to improve conditions for Chicago-area residents.

This work serves the public interest by promoting effective and equitable public policies, reducing barriers to economic opportunity, strengthening civic participation, and improving government effectiveness through the development and advancement of solutions that improve community well-being. By supporting policy and system change efforts, the Trust seeks to create lasting benefits for individuals, families and communities throughout the Chicago region.

Need/Opportunity Statement

Since 2020, the Trust has supported organizations and coalitions engaging in advocacy and policy reform aimed at increasing economic opportunity, reducing poverty and increasing household financial stability, strengthening community development, and ensuring every individual and family in Chicago can meet their basic needs. Funding has enabled organizations to work in coalition to elevate community-led solutions, build public will and momentum toward a policy change, and advance systems-level reforms that improve economic well-being for all Chicagoans. 

By investing in the region’s policy and advocacy landscape, the Trust supports and works alongside organizations advancing and defending policies and systems reforms that reduce poverty, promote economic mobility, and invest in long-underinvested communities.

Goals & Outcomes

The Trust is committed to supporting an organization’s short- and long-term strategic goals and measuring progress toward achieving them. The following outcomes aim to measure the impact an organization and/or coalition has on achieving their policy and system reform goals. The grant applicant’s outcomes should be informed by how the proposed project or strategy will lead to the anticipated result or long-term change (i.e., your theory of change). Grant applicants will be asked to select and report on the outcomes from the list below that are most relevant and related to their role and contribution to the coalition and policy efforts for which they are applying:

• Increase Coalition, Constituent, and Organizational Power to Advance Policy Change/Implementation: Aims to measure the coalition’s infrastructure and capacity to engage in advocacy and advance policy reforms.
• Organize and Mobilize Stakeholders to Advance or Defend Policy Change: Aims to measure the impact of the coalition activities on their policy goals.

Priority Strategies & Activities

Ultimately, we seek a Chicago region where more people have the opportunity to thrive, and neighborhoods are strong and resilient. To help achieve that vision, the Trust’s strategy focuses on the following key issues areas where we believe we can have the greatest impact.  

1. Increase income and financial assets for low- and moderate- income Chicagoans
   • Enabling individuals and households to increase their income promotes economic mobility. Savings and asset-building opportunities support long-term financial health and prosperity.
2. Increase and preserve homeownership in underinvested communities
   • Achieving homeownership and building home equity play a critical role in setting families on a path toward economic mobility and maintaining vibrant, thriving communities.
3. Increase investments in underinvested communities while minimizing displacement
   • A neighborhood’s condition and the amenities it offers can affect its residents’ economic mobility and community vitality, from property values to quality jobs to public safety.
4. Meet the critical needs of vulnerable Chicagoans
   • Social safety net programs and essential services are critical to ensuring vulnerable Chicagoans can meet their basic human needs, like housing, food, healthcare, and other human
5. Strengthen small businesses
   • Neighborhood-based small businesses contribute to healthier, safer, and more economically resilient communities. They play an important role in creating and sustaining local employment and economies, revitalizing commercial corridors, expanding access to goods and services, and strengthening overall neighborhood stability and well-being.

Please view the full RFP for additional examples of work supporting each of these priority areas.

Grant Amounts Available & Grant Term

Grant terms will range from one to three years. Grant awards are anticipated to range between $50,000 and $150,000 per year. Final awards and terms will be determined by the Trust, based on the following considerations:

• Organization’s role and contributions to the coalition’s success  
• The coalition/organization’s short-and long-term goals and strategies to advance this issue
• Contribution to critical functions of advancing a policy reform
• Engagement of those most impacted by the policy or systems to be reformed

How to Apply

The Trust awards grants to organizations whose work is consistent with our mission and our current priorities. Learn about the application process and eligibility.

How to Apply

What We Fund

Our grants are not just checks, not just points on a map. Our grants are lifelines, connecting individual donors with people and families striving for a better life.

What We Fund