Sponsorships

Application Opens: February 19, 2026
Application Deadline: March 12, 2026
Disbursements: May 2026

Background

The Chicago Community Trust dedicates a portion of its discretionary grantmaking budget to sponsor programming events that strengthen economic mobility, increase opportunity and well-being, and address critical needs in Chicago. Sponsorship applications are reviewed twice a year, in alignment with summer and fall event seasons.

Need/Opportunity Statement 

For many nonprofit organizations, events such as meetings, forums, conference, and cultural events are an important source of funding. They also create opportunities for people to connect, collaborate and lift up the voices of residents who are most impacted by systemic barriers.

Applicants should explain how their event aligns with the Trust commitment to convene people and partners, respond to community needs, and support lasting change. Organizations should also explain the event highlights community-driven solutions, amplifies resident voices, encourages inclusive development, or promotes new ideas that help people build wealth and well-being through homeownership or income growth.

Grantmaking Criteria 

Priority will be given to organizations and events located in Chicago or Cook County that most clearly align with and advance the goals mentioned above. We further prioritize organizations with annual budgets under $1M and those that do not currently have a grant from The Chicago Community Trust.

Goals & Outcomes

Sponsorship grants are intended to support events that advance The Chicago Community Trust’s commitment to strengthen economic mobility, increase opportunity and well-being, and address the critical needs of Chicago’s most vulnerable residents. Through this funding opportunity, the Trust seeks to achieve the following goals and outcomes: 

1. Strengthen Community Voice and Leadership: Support events that elevate resident perspectives, particularly from underinvested communities, and create meaningful opportunities for engagement and dialogue. 
2. Advance Economic Mobility and Opportunity: Promote events that highlight innovative solutions, partnerships and strategies related to income growth, workforce development, entrepreneurship, homeownership, and wealth-building. 
3. Foster Cross-Sector Collaboration: Encourage convenings that bring together nonprofit, civic, philanthropic, business, and community leaders to share knowledge, align strategies, and build partnerships for long-term impact. 
4. Address Critical and Emerging Community Needs: Support programming that increases awareness, mobilizes resources, and catalyzes action around pressing challenges affecting vulnerable residents in Chicago and Cook County. 

Eligible Applicants 

Preference for sponsorships will be given, but not limited, to:  

• Organizations that achieve some alignment with the Trust’s mission or work. To view our new strategic direction, please visit: https://www.cct.org/about/strategic-plan/. 
• We will prioritize applications from organizations we are not currently funding.  

Ineligible Uses 

Sponsorships are not available for:  

• Sports teams  
• Political campaigns  
• Religious activities  
• Events already sponsored with an existing Trust grant. This includes multi-year grant agreements that are still currently active. 

Submission Deadlines & Key Dates

The next application window will open on February 19, 2026 with a deadline of March 12, 2026.

You may submit a request at any time in this application window. Please submit your request 2-3 months before your event, to be sure that it can realistically be funded if selected. Do not submit your request earlier than 4 months before your event is scheduled to take place.

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