Collective Power

We are working towards a future with a vibrant and engaged civic sector that cultivates and invests in community organizing, activates and elevates the voices of underrepresented Chicagoans to transform harmful narratives, and builds the connections and momentum necessary to drive change to harmful policies and practices.

Jose Uribe (right) and Ania Jakubek (center) from Arise Chicago converse with Miguel Alvelo Rivera and Leticia Téllez (both left) from Latino Union of Chicago. Both organizations are members of the Changemakers Network.

The Chicago Community Trust works towards a future with a vibrant and engaged civic sector that cultivates and invests in community organizing, activates and elevates the voices of underrepresented Chicagoans to transform harmful narratives, and builds the connections and momentum necessary to drive change to harmful policies and practices.

Our Vision

As we move forward, we are committed to learning together, adjusting, and being responsive. We will use insights from our grantmaking and input from our partners to shape our learning journey and approach. 

Collective Power: State of the Space

Strong, trusted relationships and partnerships across diverse stakeholders help drive sustainable social change. Elevating community voices and fostering collaboration build community power and momentum for policy and system changes. Communities with equitable access to resources and decision-making power are more likely to achieve long-term economic security and prosperity. When adequately funded and supported, community-led initiatives are most effective in driving neighborhood transformation and policy change. 

An analysis by the Institute for Research on Race and Public Policy at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Changing the Frame: Civic Engagement Through a Racial Equity Lens, found that Black and Latine communities have disproportionately experienced the adverse effects of a range of public policies that increase residents’ marginalization and create barriers to civic engagement. Yet, despite structural barriers to civic engagement, interviews with grassroots community organizers and analysis of nonprofits offer evidence of widespread community activism. 

Where We Focus

There is a wide range of interventions to elevate marginalized voices and build collective power. The Trust believes we can have the greatest impact by supporting community organizing, arts and culture and narrative change, and leadership development. 

The Trust’s Collective Power strategy amplifies marginalized voices, supports mediums that elevate community stories and counter harmful narratives, and empowers residents to ensure that those most affected lead neighborhood transformation, policy and practice change, and civic efforts.  

Collective Power Funding

Specifically, the Trust’s funding to build collective power supports:

  • Movement Building: To increase resident awareness and engagement and strengthen connections among grassroots community organizations to align efforts to change unjust policies and practices.

  • Arts, Culture and Narrative Change: To shift harmful narratives through media, art and film by amplifying diverse voices, sharing authentic stories, and challenging preconceived notions about the inequities we see in our region.

  • Community Leadership Development: To activate and elevate the voices of Chicagoans who are leading grassroots movements and are essential to making our region more equitable and inclusive.

Collaboration is Needed

These priorities reflect where the Trust can achieve measurable impact. However, we cannot get there alone. 

Opportunities to Engage

Whether you are a donor, a community leader, work for a nonprofit, lead a company, or serve as a local government representative, we invite you to join us in increasing opportunities for Chicagoans to build assets. 

Here are opportunities to engage:

  • Arts Work Fund: Strengthens the management and operations of small arts and cultural organizations in Chicago and Cook County. 

Our Collective Power Team