Feeding Change in Our Region

The Chicago Region Food System Fund is a group of funders and community partners working together to build a more resilient local food system while ensuring more local voices are included in the decision-making process.

The Fund launched during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, as disruptions to the global supply chain increased food insecurity. In response to that challenge, the Fund supported a range of community-based organizations providing emergency food to residents across the Chicago region. Today, it is focused on building a strong and equitable regional food system capable of withstanding a similar crisis in the future.

One unique attribute of the Fund is its collaborative, community-led governance structure. A steering committee made up of six community members and three funders sets all funding strategy and makes all grant decisions. This participatory grantmaking process ensures resources are put to the best use in ways that truly reflect the needs of communities.

The Chicago Region Food System Fund is supported by Food:Land:Opportunity, a collaboration between Kinship Foundation and the Trust, supported by the Searle Funds at the Trust. For 60 years, the Searle funds have been an integral part of the Trust’s grantmaking, helping advance cutting-edge strategies to improve our lives and environment.

Additional funders include Amanda Hanley Climate Fund, Builders Initiative,  Fresh Taste, Hunter Family Foundation, Lumpkin Family Foundation, Margot L. Pritzker Fund, and Walder Foundation, as well as contributions from donor advised funds and individuals.

“Bringing community members and funders together at the same table only makes the work stronger. Collaborative decision-making helps us learn from one another and gain a deeper understanding of the systems we aim to change.”

Jose Oliva
Chicago Region Food System Fund Steering Committee Co-Chair/Campaigns Director, HEAL (Health Environment Agriculture and Labor) Food Alliance