The Chicago Community Trust has helped thousands of Chicago-area nonprofits to improve the life and vitality of our community. The Trust’s expert staff applies this knowledge to a competitive grant making process that seeks to address a wide variety of community needs.
NEW: Unity Challenge Grants for Specific Human Services
Applications due Aug. 13, 2010
Competitive Funding Opportunities
The Arts and Culture Program focuses on artistic and cultural excellence, arts engagement, capital and endowment campaign support, arts learning and capacity building for arts service organizations.
The Basic Human Needs Program supports programs that prevent and reduce hunger and homelessness, and advocacy work that protects and promotes the government safety net.
The Community Development Program provides ongoing investment in civic engagement, justice system reform, workforce development, affordable housing, infrastructure and public system improvement.
The Education Program is dedicated to enhancing the achievement of Chicago’s students by supporting the ongoing development of high performing schools with a focus on developing strong curricula, instruction and school leadership.
The Health Program supports a range of public health issues including individual health choices, environmental health risks, and health care system services.
Capacity Building Assistance
Management and Organizational Development (MOD) grants assist small- and medium-sized nonprofits in response to specific management and operational needs.
Arts Work Fund is a funder collaborative created to help strengthen the management and operations of small arts organizations in the six-county Chicago metropolitan region.
Special Funding Opportunities
African American Legacy grants provide strategic support for organizations working to strengthen the African American family.
Arts Engagement Exchange provides grants to small cultural organizations that have developed new ideas by participating in its Learning Circles.
Asian Giving Circle supports nonprofit organizations which address the challenges facing the Asian-American community.
Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services' grant-making addresses problems with the availability and quality of legal services for the poor in metropolitan Chicago.
Cook County Foreclosure Mediation Program is awarding Community Outreach Grants that promote face-to-face outreach to homeowners who have received foreclosure summons.
The Lake County Community Foundation focuses its grants on education, economic development, health, the environment, and the needs of the county’s most vulnerable residents.
Nuestro Futuro’s priorities center on Nuestros Niños, a community partnership to support educational excellence for Latino children.
One Chicago, One Nation supports collaborative, intercultural community improvement through its Community Solution Grants.
Springboard Foundation supports small after-school and supplemental education programs, with a focus on disadvantaged neighborhoods.
The Will County Community Foundation supports the county’s nonprofit organizations to address challenges in education, health care, and human services.
Donor Advised Grants
Individuals, families, and organizations that have donor advised funds at the Trust recommend grants from their funds to organizations of their choice. Donor advised funds are not open to requests for support.