We Rise Together: For an Equitable & Just Recovery

A funders collaborative working to strengthen local neighborhood economies, supporting a strong region for all.

Photo: North Austin Center

What is We Rise Together?

We Rise Together: For an Equitable & Just Recovery is a funders collaborative working with community members to respond to the urgent economic needs of underinvested communities in the Chicago region, which are predominantly Black and Latine.

Collaborative Strategic Investments

Since September 2021, more than 160 donors have contributed to the We Rise Together funding pool. The initiative has strategically invested nearly $47 million, including support for more than 40 neighborhood anchor real estate investments worth more than a half a billion dollars. As projects open their doors, they are having immediate and continued impact, including providing new activities for young people, job training and placement, support for local businesses, and much-needed healthcare, childcare, and healthy food.  

In addition to real estate grants, We Rise Together also made grants to support locally owned businesses and expand employment opportunities in the neighborhoods around the real estate projects. Now, through the Together Fund, community members are helping determine $1.5 million in funding for additional local business support and workforce development. These grants will be announced in 2025.

The Model for We Rise Together

Our model for community investment at scale supports coordinated, community-led commercial and economic development in neighborhoods that were hit hardest by COVID-19 and the economic recession that followed. Through strategic grants to community-directed real estate development projects that leverage additional investment, we are building thriving neighborhoods and a stronger Chicago.

Our Grants

Principles That Guide Our Grantmaking

  • Investments in communities hit hardest by COVID-19, which are predominantly Black and Latine.

  • Community-centered investments in people and places.

  • Community engagement and collaboration that builds community voice and capacity.

Since its launch in September 2021, the initiative has seen…

  • $51M+

    In Contributions

    By Individual, Corporate and Philanthropic Funders

  • 40+

    Investments

    In Resident-Driven Real Estate Projects Now Worth $564M+

  • $47M+

    In Grantmaking

    To Support Real Estate Development, Small Business, and Workforce Development in Underinvested Communities

Our Donors

We Rise Together is a funders collaborative of more than 160 philanthropic organizations and individuals. Explore our list of leading funding partners below.

Stories from We Rise Together

Our Work

We’ve made a 10-year commitment to closing Chicago’s racial and ethnic wealth gap while remaining steadfast in the core areas of work that are foundational to who we are.

Learn More

Partnerships & Initiatives

Through the years, the Trust has created many types of initiatives to help our region—and its foundations, businesses, civic leaders, and individuals—most effectively engage with the issues they care about.

Learn More