Civic and Cultural Vitality Grants – February 2019

At its February 2019 meeting, the Trust’s Executive Committee approved 12 competitive grants to local nonprofit organizations for projects in civic and cultural vitality, totaling $526,000.

Arts & Culture Grants: $50,000

• The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, for the Year of Chicago Theatre, an initiative to increase awareness and visibility of the Chicago theater community as well as strengthen equity, access and inclusion. $50,000

Human Relations & Integration Grants: $300,000

• The Chicago Community Trust / ADA 25 Advancing Leadership, for the Infusing Inclusion Agenda to advance equity for people with disabilities through leadership and workforce development initiatives. (R) $300,000

Strengthening Nonprofit Performance Grants: $176,000

• Better Government Association, to support the 95th Anniversary Luncheon. $5,000
• The Clinton Foundation, to support the 11th annual CGI University meeting, including efforts to engage a network of young leaders who are developing innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges. $50,000
• Forefront, for the Mission Sustainability Initiative which enables local nonprofits to evaluate and pursue collaborations, mergers or restructuring. (R) $40,000
• Foundation Center, for general operating support. $8,500
• Generation All, to support its operating costs. $25,000
• Illinois Humanities Council, to support the 2018 People-Powered Publishing Conference focused on community-informed journalism. $10,000
• Latinos Progresando, to support the 6th annual MEX talks at the Goodman Theatre. $5,000
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation, for the 25th Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards. $25,000
• NABJ—Chicago Chapter, to encourage interest in journalism and media careers among youth at the NABJ 2018 Chicago Road Show. $2,500
• The University of Illinois, to support the Addressing the Psychosocial Impacts of Deportation and Detention on Migrant Youth and Families conference held by the Great Cities Institute and the Center for Global Health. $5,000

(R): indicates renewal of grant support

Responsive grants like these are designed to support specific programs and projects that serve a community need, or seize an opportunity for impact. The Trust also supported civic and cultural vitality in the region through its GO Grants. As the GO Grant multi-year pilot program concludes, these longtime partner organizations are receiving exit grants to support their work through the transition.

In addition to civic and cultural vitality, the Executive Committee also approved grants in education and economic development; health, housing and human services; sustainable development; and grants from the Unity Fund—for a total of $12,400,511 in grants awarded in February.

The Trust is currently defining the grant priorities for its next phase of work, which will focus on helping Chicago achieve the goal of closing our racial wealth gap. New opportunities to apply for grants will become available after this planning is complete. If you are a Chicago-area nonprofit, the best way to stay informed is to create an account in GrantCentral, where you can sign up to receive notifications as grant opportunities become available.