Best Cook County Grants for Nonprofits in Illinois

The Chicago Community Trust

As our region’s community foundation, The Chicago Community Trust is a platform for change that connects philanthropy to impact. We bring together generous donors, committed organizations, and caring residents to effect lasting change that moves our entire region forward.

Sponsorships

The Trust dedicates a portion of its discretionary grantmaking budget to sponsor programming events that strengthen economic mobility, increase opportunity and well-being, and address critical needs in Chicago.

Background

Across Chicago, deep disparities in financial health and access to opportunity make it difficult for financially vulnerable neighbors to thrive. Persistent gaps in income, education, access to capital, housing, and neighborhood conditions continue to limit economic mobility and community well-being.

The Chicago Community Trust works to expand economic opportunity and strengthen communities across the Chicago region by addressing barriers that limit financial stability, housing access, and neighborhood investment.

This work serves the public interest by reducing economic hardship, strengthening neighborhoods, and promoting the well-being of individuals, families and communities. 

Need/Opportunity Statement

The Chicago Community Trust dedicates a portion of its discretionary grantmaking budget to sponsor events for organizations or programs that strengthen economic mobility, increase opportunity and well-being, and address critical needs of the most vulnerable in Chicago. To be considered for funding, an event must be produced by an eligible organization that is located in or primarily serving Cook County.

This opportunity will support events taking place in November and December 2026, and January 2027.

Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate how their event aligns with the Trust commitment to convene people, partners and organizations, address the needs of our community, and support initiatives for long-term change. Organizations should showcase how the event uplifts community-driven solutions, amplifies resident voices, supports inclusive development, creates spaces for collaboration, or promotes innovative approaches to homeownership or income growth for vulnerable residents and underinvested communities.

About The Chicago Community TrustAs our region’s community foundation, The Chicago Community Trust is a platform for change that connects philanthropy to impact. We bring together generous donors, committed organizations, and caring residents to effect lasting change that moves our entire region forward. For over 100 years, forward-looking individuals and families have entrusted their philanthropic resources and visions to the Trust’s stewardship. Our expertise goes to work helping donors translate their funds and passions into innovative and impactful giving strategies.About Coalitions Advancing Economic Mobility – Policy ChangeThe Trust is committed to supporting an organization’s short- and long-term strategic goals and measuring progress toward achieving them. The following outcomes aim to measure the impact an organization and/or coalition has on achieving their policy and system reform goals. The grant applicant’s outcomes should be informed by how the proposed project or strategy will lead to the anticipated result or long-term change (i.e., your theory of change). Grant applicants will be asked to select and report on the outcomes from the list below that are most relevant and related to their role and contribution to the coalition and policy efforts for which they are applying:

• Increase Coalition, Constituent, and Organizational Power to Advance Policy Change/Implementation: Aims to measure the coalition’s infrastructure and capacity to engage in advocacy and advance policy reforms.
• Organize and Mobilize Stakeholders to Advance or Defend Policy Change: Aims to measure the impact of the coalition activities on their policy goals.

Grant terms will range from one to three years.