3C Community Profile: Humboldt Park
Take a stroll down the Paseo Boricua corridor on Division Street and it’s easy to see why Humboldt Park is one of Chicago’s most vibrant…
Grants
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Our Grantmaking Strategy
For more than 100 years, The Chicago Community Trust has convened, supported, funded, and accelerated the work of community members and changemakers committed to strengthening the Chicago region. From building up our civic infrastructure to spearheading our response to the Great Recession, the Trust has brought our community together to face pressing challenges and seize our greatest opportunities. Today, that means confronting the racial and ethnic wealth gap.
Explore Our Discretionary Grants
Showing 3111–3118 of 3874 results
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Grant Recipient
Firebird Community Arts
Firebird Community Arts, a 501c3 nonprofit, is proposing the construction of a new 12,000 sq ft building on city owned vacant land located at 3312-3344 W. Lake Street, along with parking, outdoor workspace, and healing art garden. The parcels are already appropriately zoned for Firebird’s uses, and therefore will not require a zoning change. The building will be one story and include a glassblowing and ceramics studio, a gallery/retail space, classrooms, meeting rooms, offices, as well as a flex pop-up cart for local partnering food/beverage providers. The new facility, will allow Firebird to expand its trauma-informed arts programming to serve and employ 100 participants and teaching artists, and continue to be a pillar in the Garfield Park community for violence prevention and trauma recovery. Additional job creation as well as a destination for taking classes, viewing and purchasing art will also help the West Side and ensure that Chicago be known for bringing glassblowing to previously unreached urban contemporary heights through Firebird’s national leadership in DEI work.
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Grant Recipient
Sista Afya Community Care NFP
As a mental health equity advocate, survivor, and Black woman diagnosed with a serious mental health condition in 2013, I am deeply committed to supporting the mental wellness of Black women. My journey to recovery highlighted the importance of community-focused spaces that honor the unique experiences of Black women, as well as the role of quality care in improving health outcomes. After a year of therapy sessions, outpatient groups, and following doctor's recommendations, I regained stability, which inspired me to create an accessible, sustainable community for mental wellness. My identity as a leader is rooted not only in my race and gender but also in my dedication to servant leadership and advocating for those often ignored or stigmatized. Fannie Lou Hamer's words, "Nobody's free until everybody's free," keep me grounded in my work, as I strive to make mental wellness accessible to all Black women, rather than remaining a privilege for the few. I envision a future where women like myself, with ideas and determination to change mental health care, are given the opportunity to lead and shape the mental wellness landscape for Black women. Sista Afya Community Care (SACC) embodies this commitment by making mental wellness care accessible to Black women, building a sustainable community, and disrupting systems that neglect our mental wellness. Sista Afya Community Care has blossomed since our inception in 2020, with revenues increasing from $97,061 in 2020 to $374,867 in 2022. Sista Afya Community Care started off 2023 strong, expanding its reach by becoming a behavioral health clinic designated by the state of Illinois to serve women who have Medicaid expanding engagement of women with income barriers to care. Throughout this year, we plan to launch a community council of Black women with lived experience, empowering them with decision-making authority to guide our initiatives and work over the next 3-5 years. By centering community voice, we know we can transform systems and break down barriers. With our exciting growth in such a short time - I do not always have adequate resources and time to slow-down, rest, think and plan to lead with more intention. I can often feel the weight of providing critical mental health services to Black women in Chicago while also trying to build and sustain an organization. All of these competing needs can be overwhelming; and of course effect my stress levels and own mental health. I actively try to make time for rest and rejuvenation as a leader but they are for shorter time periods. This sabbatical will provide me with the time and space to reflect on lessons learned over the past years and ensuring that I have the opportunity to learn and grow to provide effective leadership. Funding for this sabbatical would allow me the opportunity to fully regroup without interruption, intentionally vision and plan for the organization and strategize how we can build power to advocate and access what’s needed for Black women to receive mental health care without barriers. The SELFF Care Sabbatical will provide me with the opportunity to recharge and renew, allowing me to continue empowering Black women and ensuring mental wellness care is accessible and inclusive for our community. The professional development opportunities I have selected for this opportunity include the following: A one week self care retreat at CIVANA, a destination wellness resort that offers a regenerating experience through four pillars: Movement, Spa, Nourishment, and Discovery. https://civanacarefree.com/about-us/ Membership to Forefront, an Illinois statewide association representing both grantmakers and nonprofits. Forefront aims to increase investments in the social impact sector and enhance charitable giving and impact investing. They provide professional development training for grantmaking, nonprofit, and civic professionals, and publish best practices for operating nonprofits and foundations. The organization also improves systems and policies by promoting civic engagement and fostering innovation, while offering grants and support to various initiatives. Lastly, Forefront promotes collective action and strategic partnerships by expanding resources for collaboration and fostering a movement for racial equity within and beyond their organization. https://myforefront.org/about/ The Lantern Leadership Retreat: Lantern is a four-day experiential retreat for conscious leaders. The curriculum consists of everything from mindfulness exercises, guided meditations, and deep listening to leadership tenets, individual reflection, and small group work. The experience is built on outdoor exploration, connection to nature, healthy and delicious food, and conscious conversations. One week self-care retreat at CIVANA: $5,500 ($4,500 + $1,000 for travel) Membership to Forefront: $250 Professional development time: $1,555 (estimated cost for 20 hours of professional development time at a rate of $77.75 per hour to fully maximize membership to Forefront) The Lantern Leadership Retreat: $2,695 ($1,695 + $1,000 for travel) Total: $10,000
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Grant Recipient
Food Animal Concerns Trust (FACT)
FACT launched the Fund-a-Farmer Grants Program in 2012 in response to a clear need among humane livestock and poultry farmers for capital in order to transition from conventional to pasture-based systems. There are very few resources available for small and mid-size farmers who want to make this transition. The need for this support has only grown since then. After more than a decade of grantmaking, there is no doubt that our Fund-a-Farmer Grants are significantly benefiting farmer livelihood, animal welfare, and environmental health. We at FACT believe that partnering with - and investing in - humane farmers is one of the best ways to make a difference in the lives of food-producing animals. We trust that the innovative, ethical farmers in our ever-expanding network know what is best for their land, animals and communities. In the spring of 2023 FACT awarded a total of $253,807 to 87 farms throughout the US. Thanks to the FLO grant, 18 of those grants totaling $51,385 went to farmers located in 5 states focusing on the Chicago area market: Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin. The renewal of this FLO grant will enable us to continue to allocate a portion of the grants to farms that market their products within the greater Chicago area.
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Grant Recipient
FARM Illinois
To support the Illinois Agri-Food Alliance and its role as a statewide, neutral platform connecting and convening diverse stakeholders to catalyze and champion systemic dialogue, ideation, and actions. In response to this RFP, this includes supporting cross-sector coordination to address complex challenges related to climate change with a focus on developing an integrated plan that will contribute economic, societal, and environmental benefits across Illinois.
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Grant Recipient
Haji Healing Salon
This application is submitted as a formal request for support in taking an extended amount of time off from my seven years of divine service as Founder, Wellness Curator and Healer at Haji Healing Salon. I have been devoted to the building of this enterprise since it began as a support group for women with Fibroids in 2015 and I have followed along on the most magical path which has led to tremendous expansion against all odds. Through structural issue with our space, to economic instability and the COVID-19 pandemic, Haji Healing Salon has remained a lighthouse for all who wish to heal, rise and expand through the many challenges of our lives and times. As the leader of this enterprise I have continued my education in business through Arts and Public Life, Sunshine Enterprises, the WBDC, The Polsky Center and the Booth School of Business's small business incubator program. I have expanded my Spiritual Practices to include Shamonic Reiki (Shamonic Practice and Energy Healing), Yoga Nidra (Guided Relaxation) and most recently I completed a year-long study of Spiritual Community Herbalism with Master Herbalist Karen Rose. All that I have learned has been offered in service of my community and if awarded this sabbatical grant, I will finally choose to prioritize myself and truly allow space for my own healing and transformation. I thank you for taking the time to consider my application. I am grateful for the opportunity to be considered.
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Grant Recipient
The Black Star Project
The Supporting Exemplary Leaders & Freedom Fighters (S.E.L.F.F.) Care Sabbatical is a wonderful way to address the needs of the women leaders who serve their communities. The Chicago Community Trust always comes up with creative ways to build and heal communities and I appreciate the opportunity to be part of many of its wonderful grant programs and initiatives. I missed the first S.E.L.F.F. deadline, but a friend sent the extension information and lovingly "urged" me to apply. If I am not selected, I'm so happy for the community sisters who will get a chance to rest, plan and work together on behalf of communities.
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Grant Recipient
KAN-WIN
KAN-WIN respectfully seeks funding from the Chicago Community Trust to provide rapid rehousing and permanent housing support for survivors of gender-based violence in the Chicagoland area. Domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness for women and children in the U.S. To compound this issue, KAN-WIN’s target population of Asian American and/or immigrant survivors face major barriers to housing as many of them encounter landlords unwilling to work with them due to lack of immigration status, lack of credit, limited English proficiency, and lack of employment. Domestic violence shelter spaces are limited, and even if survivors find a space, they must exit within 90 days. For our clients, they are often left with a choice between staying in an abusive home vs becoming homeless upon leaving. Founded in 1990 by a group of Asian immigrant women, KAN-WIN’s mission is to eradicate gender-based violence in the Asian communities and beyond through culturally competent services, education, outreach and advocacy. KAN-WIN addresses the housing crisis faced by our survivors through its Transitional Housing (TH) program. TH program takes after the Housing First model by helping clients secure safe and stable housing as soon as possible. Once they secure the housing, case management and other supportive services are offered to help them establish long-term stability and self-sufficiency. Participation in these services are not mandated. Our housing advocates assist them in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner in searching for housing, communicating with landlords, negotiating and drafting the lease, and once the unit is secured, helping them move in and furnish. TH assistance can be provided in either a rapid rehousing or permanent housing style. Depending on their capacity, rental subsidies can be provided from 6 months to a year for rapid rehousing; and up to two years for permanent housing. We also provide subsidies for utilities. During the participation in the TH program, survivor families will be able to access a holistic array of services that can help address their needs in an intersectional manner. They could include: legal and medical advocacy, counseling for adults and children, school advocacy for children and youth, parenting education, and more. Funding from CCT will help us fund various costs involved in the housing program, including: rental and utilities subsidies, personnel for housing advocacy services, moving fees and more.
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Grant Recipient
EVANSTON REBUILDING WAREHOUSE
Rebuilding Exchange seeks a renewal grant to continue growing our Alumni Services Education program, aimed at engaging and supporting graduates of our transitional employment and pre-apprenticeship programs as they advance their careers in the building trades. Participants in our Building Trades Training Programs earn a range of middle-skills credentials that support placement and retention into living wage jobs, including the OSHA-10 Safety (transitional and pre-apprenticeship), National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Core (pre-apprenticeship), EPA Lead Renovation Repair and Painting (transitional), Forklift (transitional), and First Aid/CPR (transitional and pre-apprenticeship). Graduates are then placed into full-time employment in the building trades with average starting wages between $15 - $18.75/hr for our transitional employment program and $15 - $20/hr for our pre-apprenticeship program. Our Alumni Services Education program offers graduates a range of supports and activities designed to help them reach career goals and living wages of $25/hr. These offerings include retention and advancement coaching, networking events, and ongoing continuing education opportunities.