Paving the Path to Homeownership for Housing Choice Voucher Holders
Since the mid-20th century, homeownership has been one of the most important vehicles for building wealth in the United States. According to research from the…
Grants
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Our Grantmaking Strategy
For more than 100 years, The Chicago Community Trust has convened, supported, funded, and accelerated the work of community members and changemakers committed to strengthening the Chicago region. From building up our civic infrastructure to spearheading our response to the Great Recession, the Trust has brought our community together to face pressing challenges and seize our greatest opportunities. Today, that means confronting the racial and ethnic wealth gap.
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Grant Recipient
Resurrection Project
The Resurrection Project (TRP) requests $1,200,000 over two years from The Chicago Community Trust to launch the Stay in Place Forgivable Loan Program (Stay in Place). Stay in Place is a place-based home repair initiative to support longtime residents of Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood by providing zero-interest, forgivable loans to eligible homeowners for critical repairs to owner-occupied 2- to 4-unit residential buildings.
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Grant Recipient
Forefront
Established in 1974 Forefront began as a membership organization to connect funders with nonprofits. Over the past 50 years, Forefront has grown and built a rich history rooted in supporting the nonprofit sector in Illinois and advancing social impact. Over the past 10 years, Forefront has grown and built out its advocacy and policy efforts, which has led to organizations across Illinois to look to us for guidance on policies affecting the sector. With the advent of the current administration, now more than ever, it has become clear that nonprofits in Illinois are once again looking to Forefront for that vital guidance, and collective action to address the current instability to federal policies and laws in the United States. The need for a social impact triage Hub in Chicago has never been more urgent as Illinois nonprofits are navigating a rapidly shifting landscape of government policies that directly impact their ability to address systemic inequities. Recent attempts to change federal policy surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) have created additional challenges for organizations that have long worked to advance racial and social justice. These changes undermine the very missions of nonprofits dedicated to dismantling systemic inequities in communities across Illinois. As these organizations face uncertainty about funding, compliance, and organizational priorities, a centralized, responsive Hub is critical to providing them with the immediate support they need. Forefront is launching the Mission Support & Sustainability Hub (MSSH), a collaborative initiative designed to address the critical needs of Illinois nonprofits facing unprecedented challenges. Building upon Forefront's Mission Sustainability Initiative (MSI), the MSSH will enhance, expand, and deepen the existing services we provide to nonprofit organizations across the state. The Hub will be a partnership between five expert organizations, each dedicated to strengthening the capacity and resilience of nonprofits. The partners include Forefront, which serves as the statewide association for nonprofit and grantmaker resources; BDO, with expertise in nonprofit financial management; The Chicago Bar Foundation (CBF), a leader in providing pro bono legal services to nonprofits; the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights (CLC), advocates for racial equity and nonprofit legal support; and IFF, a Community Development Financial Institution with expertise in nonprofit finance and development. Forefront is seeking a generous contribution of $1,050,000 over three years ($350,000 each year) to establish and scale the core identity of the Mission Support & Sustainability Hub, ensuring that Illinois nonprofits have the necessary resources, expertise, and support to navigate the complex and rapidly evolving challenges they face. A portion of these funds will be allocated to cover the Trust’s membership dues. The design of the MSSH integrates Forefront's public policy and advocacy team into every aspect of the initiative, enabling them to build knowledge among stakeholders and advocate for nonprofits at both the state and federal levels. Forefront is committed to creating a sector where leaders are equipped, informed, connected, and empowered to advocate for their missions and communities. We recognize the critical need for advocacy at the local, state, and federal, and to support Illinois nonprofits, grantmakers, and their allies. The policy landscape remains essential for driving change and advancing key priorities. Forefront’s mission to build a vibrant social impact sector for all Illinois residents can only be achieved if policies at all levels of government support and advance the work of social impact organizations. In Illinois, the social impact sector: • Employs 11.4 percent of private employees via nonprofits • Generates $133 billion in revenue via nonprofits • Encompasses 6,281 grants made by grantmakers/foundations • Supports 50,780 operating nonprofits Currently, no other entities lead advocacy for the entire nonprofit sector in Illinois on critical issues such as charitable tax policy, sector regulation, and government contracting. This gap positions Forefront’s policy and advocacy work as essential to the success of the MSSH. The MSSH will provide targeted services, including legal guidance, grant assistance, and strategic support, to help nonprofits navigate these policy shifts while continuing to serve their communities effectively. With over a century of combined experience in nonprofit support, legal counsel, financial management, and organizational restructuring, the partner organizations bring a wealth of expertise. However, to fully implement and scale this initiative, additional staffing is needed to support both the Hub’s operations and Forefront’s advocacy efforts within it. These new positions will include: Director Level: This position will provide strategic leadership and guidance, enabling flexibility in shaping and advancing the Hub and policy work as needs evolve. Manager Level: This position will support the director in executing all Hub-related efforts and policy initiatives as required.