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…
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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.
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Grant Recipient
BROWN HOUSE EXPERIENCE
Trade Day is an annual event that provides youth ages 12 and up with an opportunity to get direct exposure to different Trade careers via interactive instruction with local businesses and skilled entrepreneurs.
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Grant Recipient
Julie's Test Organization
Project Renewal application summary
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Grant Recipient
City of Chicago
Chicago, as a sanctuary city, is facing unprecedented challenges due to the recent influx of migrants following the lifting of Title 42. With over 29,301 New Arrivals, primarily from Venezuela, having arrived in Chicago as of December 29th, 2023, the city is grappling with the logistical and humanitarian aspects of accommodating and supporting these individuals. The sudden and continuous arrival of migrants, often without advance notice, has overwhelmed city officials, forcing the opening of 27 shelters with more in the pipeline. This influx, coupled with the lack of federal and limited state funding, has strained city resources, leading to tension among residents, particularly in historically underfunded low-income Black and brown communities. The City remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting New Arrivals and facilitating their permanent resettlement in Chicago. However, the media landscape, dominated by local and national outlets, contributes to a challenging environment. The portrayal of New Arrivals in the media is often reactionary and echoes xenophobic sentiments, influencing public opinion negatively. To counter this, the city administration and community leaders recognize the need for a dedicated communications help to implement a rapid response strategy, shifting the narrative and discourse around New Arrivals and immigration. This represents a crucial opportunity for Chicago, the third-largest city in the United States, to lead in immigration reform, resettlement, and exemplify the essence of being a Sanctuary City. The city administration and key stakeholders, urgently require a coordinated multi-media communications plan. This plan would involve developing and supporting the implementation of a strategic communications strategy for the city's efforts to welcome New Arrivals. Additionally, it would include analyzing and interpreting public opinion, attitudes, and potential issues that might impact the city's response. Collaboration between the city administration and diverse coalition partners is crucial for ensuring better coordinated responses, maintaining message discipline, and engaging in research-informed communication. The plan should also encompass supporting all aspects of rapid response efforts, such as crafting talking points, press releases, and social media content to shape a more positive narrative around the challenges faced by Chicago as a result of the influx of migrants. The CCT will will initiate a sub-granting process to support the city administration's communications' plan on new arrivals. CCT will partner with the Office of Immigrant, Migrant, and Refugee Rights, responsible for this communications' initiative, that will include identifying and contracting suitable firms to address the public affairs strategy understaffing related to asylum seekers. Building on their successful collaboration during the COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund, where CCT identified and supported community-based organizations and individuals impacted by the pandemic, the trust will once again leverage its expertise to ensure that the communications strategy aligns with the values of multiculturalism and peacekeeping. CCT's role in monitoring the process will uphold public trust, ensuring transparency, and contributing to the effective implementation of the strategy to address the needs of the city and its New Arrivals. This partnership demonstrates the shared commitment of the City administration and CCT to address pressing issues and effect lasting positive change for all Chicagoans. Over the years, the City of Chicago and The Chicago Community Trust (CCT) have built impactful partnerships, seen in initiatives like Elevated Works. This program, under Elevated Chicago, disperses $10 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to 60 Equitable Transit Oriented Development (ETOD) sites. CCT plays a crucial role by matching these federal dollars with an additional $1 million or more in flexible funding, ensuring prompt capital and a comprehensive range of services for the City's ETOD grantees, maximizing the impact of recovery funds on community development. Furthermore, the joint efforts of CCT and the City to combat community violence are evident through their involvement in the Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities (PSPC). This coalition, consisting of over 50 foundations and private funders, actively supports effective solutions against community violence. In 2023, the city administration, CCT, and PSPC collaborated to amplify the impact of the Chicago Fund, resulting in an increased investment of over $2.5 million in grants distributed among 253 grassroots organizations. This collective initiative now aims to extend its reach by engaging more young people in activities throughout the year, going beyond the traditional gap period between the end of the school year and the beginning of Chicago Park District programming. The clear synergy between CCT and the City of Chicago demonstrates our shared commitment to addressing urgent and longstanding social issues.
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Grant Recipient
Chicago Vibrant Neighborhoods Collective
Chicago Vibrant Neighborhoods Collective, or CVNC, seeks support through a general operating grant to address the pressing challenges faced by non-profit community-based organizations, or CBOs, in historically disinvested communities on Chicago’s South and West sides. CVNC is committed to building a more equitable Chicago where each neighborhood is healthy, vibrant, and safe. CBOs play a vital role in building thriving neighborhoods; however, these organizations are faced with operational barriers in their back-office functions that hinder their ability to sustainability pursue their important work. Recognizing the critical need for technical assistance and capacity building, CVNC offers a comprehensive suite of free back-office supports tailored to CBOs' needs. Through a participant-centered approach, CVNC collaborates closely with CBOs, providing individualized support plans and pairing them with expert advisors. Beyond its core services, CVNC fosters collaboration among CBOs and leverages connections with key stakeholders.
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Grant Recipient
Chicago Latines in Philanthropy
Chicago Latines in Philanthropy (CLIP) is dedicated to enhancing the effectiveness of local philanthropy today and for future generations by investing in Latine talent, facilitating philanthropic partnerships, and fostering fellowship among its members. CLIP seeks funding to deepen our impact in building collective power within Chicago's Latine communities, aligning with the Chicago Community Trust’s focus on addressing inequities and fostering equity and connectivity.
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Grant Recipient
Philanthropy for Asian American Action Chicago
Philanthropy for Asian American Action in Chicago (PAAAC) is thrilled for the opportunity to partner with the Chicago Community Trust Building Collective Power program.
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Grant Recipient
MIKVA CHALLENGE GRANT FOUNDATION INC
Mikva Challenge kindly requests general operating funding to support our youth voice and civic engagement work in Chicago, IL - especially our Issues to Action program as we seek to increase the depth and breadth of our impact in Chicago.
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Grant Recipient
IL Muslim Civic Coalition
Request for Funding for a Collaborative of Allies towards the goal to deepen understanding, engagement, and inclusion in all areas - of diverse intersectional identities; MENA, AAPI, African American, African Immigrant, Latino communities issues and agendas. As well as closing the Financial Gap for Underrepresented Communities During 2024 National Political Conventions.