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Robust local news coverage is essential to fostering an informed and engaged public. In contrast to much of the country, where local newspapers…
Collective Power
The Trust’s Collective Power strategy amplifies the voices of those who experience harm, invests in mediums that amplify community stories and counter harmful narratives, and empowers residents to ensure that those most affected lead neighborhood transformation, systems change, and civic efforts.
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, culture and narrative change, and leadership development.
The Trust’s Collective Power strategy amplifies the voices of those who experience harm, invests in mediums that amplify community stories and counter harmful narratives, and empowers residents to ensure that those most affected lead neighborhood transformation, systems change, and civic efforts.
Collective Power Funding
Specifically, the Trust’s Collective Power funding supports:
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Movement Building: To increase resident awareness and engagement and strengthen connections among grassroots community organizations to align efforts to change unjust policies and practices.
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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.
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Community Leadership Development Programs: To activate and elevate the voices of Chicagoans who are leading grassroots movements and are essential to making our region more equitable and inclusive.
Our Vision
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.
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.
Collaboration is Needed
These priorities reflect where the Trust can achieve measurable impact. However, we cannot get there alone. 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.
The Collective Power team works closely with the following funder collaboratives housed at The Chicago Community Trust:
- Arts Work Fund: Strengthens the management and operations of small arts and cultural organizations in Chicago and Cook County.
- Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (TRHT) Greater Chicago: Focuses on planning for and bringing about transformational and sustainable change and addressing the historic and contemporary effects of racism.
Multi-sector partners can take a wide range of actions to help strengthen the civic sector, which is critical in bridging gaps, building capacity, and driving momentum for change. These include:
- Policymakers: Enact policies or support efforts to address systemic inequities and facilitate connections and access to resources that can support community-led change
- Media: Amplify hyperlocal narratives to reach broader audiences
- Faith-Based Organizations: Use your platforms to challenge stereotypes and advocate for justice
- Community Advocacy Groups: Mobilize residents and act as mentors and role models for those new to community organizing.
- Local Artists and Cultural Organizations: Collaborate on storytelling projects and provide platforms for underrepresented voices to amplify local narratives.
- Business Community: Support initiatives that build healthier, more equitable communities
Join Us
Chicago needs more wealth-building partners! Talk to us about your contribution in this field.
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How You Can Take Action
Interested in learning more or partnering with us?
Please contact Iona Calhoun-Battiste, Senior Director of Collective Power, at icalhounbattiste@cct.org, or Adele Nandan, Director of Donor Engagement, at anandan@cct.org.
