MacArthur announced increased support for organizations responding to COVID-19 in their communities. Ten organizations received new grants, alongside increased funding for violence prevention organizations in Chicago and organizations working with people who are incarcerated. In addition to MacArthur’s support for response and relief funds in Chicago and Illinois, MacArthur’s commitment to COVID-19 response efforts in Illinois totals $2,740,000 in grants. This support especially aims to address the pandemic’s disproportionate impact on communities of color:
American Indian Center of Chicago, $25,000 to coordinate COVID-19 response efforts in the Native American community and for a series of artist-led online cultural workshops.
Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Chicago, $50,000 in support of an anti-discrimination bystander training initiative to combat bias arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cabrini Green Legal Aid (CGLA), $25,000 in support of technological upgrades to facilitate community access to legal services while CGLA transitions to a virtual platform as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chicago Foundation for Women, $40,000 to convene a series of virtual workshops and to offer technical assistance to nonprofits seeking federal, state, and local COVID-19 response funding.
Civic Consulting Alliance, $50,000 to help coordinate philanthropic COVID-19 relief initiatives in the Chicago metropolitan region, assisting public agencies and philanthropic entities in their response to the pandemic.
Community Programs Accelerator at the University of Chicago’s Office of Civic Engagement, $40,000 to offer technical assistance in communications, financial management, and remote service delivery to organizations on Chicago’s South Side during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Crossroads Fund, $35,000 to coordinate response efforts among grassroots organizations and to support specialized funds created to meet the needs of small nonprofits during the pandemic.
IFF, $100,000 in two awards. First, $50,000, in support of educational outreach and technical assistance to nonprofit organizations in 10 midwestern states applying to the federal Payroll Protection Program (PPP) for forgivable loans. Second, $50,000, in support of workshops and technical assistance offered by IFF and Fiscal Management Associates to help all Chicago-area nonprofits manage PPP loans, apply for PPP loan forgiveness, and take steps toward rebuilding financial strength for the future
Lawndale Christian Legal Center, $25,000 in support of technological upgrades to facilitate the provision of holistic legal services to youth involved in the criminal justice system while staff work remotely as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Visionary Ventures NFP, $25,000 in support of coordinated response efforts related to the impact of COVID-19 in the local Native American community.
Increased Support for Existing Programs
MacArthur also increased the size of two awards for existing programs to facilitate the rapid deployment of funds to respond to the pandemic.
First, recognizing that violence prevention street outreach workers are taking on new roles in response to COVID-19, we supplemented an annual contribution to the Chicago Community Foundation in support of the Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities. An additional $225,000 will be awarded to Communities Partnering for Peace of Metropolitan Family Services and the Rapid Employment and Development Initiative (READI Chicago) of Heartland Alliance.
Second, a general operating support grant to the John Howard Association included an additional $50,000 to support an emergency survey of Illinois Department of Corrections (DOC) inmates on COVID-19 conditions inside DOC custodial facilities.
Previously Announced Support
We previously announced a package of grants to support COVID-19 response and relief funds in Chicago and Illinois, including:
The Arts for Illinois Relief Fund, a collaboration between the City of Chicago, the State of Illinois, foundations, and individuals to support the arts community during the COVID-19 crisis. The $500,000 package includes awards to 3Arts, Arts Alliance Illinois, and the Art Works Fund at the Chicago Community Foundation.
The Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund, $1,000,000, to contribute to a fund that supports local nonprofit organizations serving the Chicago metropolitan region’s most vulnerable neighbors.
The Chicago COVID-19 Journalism Fund, $100,000, to support media organizations responding to local information needs related to COVID-19 and covering the public health emergency’s impact on Chicagoland communities.
The Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund, $500,000, to support a fund making grants to nonprofit organizations across the state serving individuals, families, and communities hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic.
