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Our Vision for Chicago

Chicago is a global city, a commercial and creative hub that is rich with vibrant,

diverse neighborhoods and a strong civic culture. We are proud to call Chicago home.

Our commitment to Chicago is deep and enduring.

$1.4 billion invested in over 1,600 local organizations and individuals since 1979

We support creative and effective organizations and influential networks working to improve the quality of life and the prospects for residents to make our hometown a city where opportunity is equitable, and justice can thrive.

Our work in Chicago

Areas of focus include:

Civic Partnerships
Vital Communities
Advancing Leadership
Culture, Equity, and the Arts
View our entire Chicago strategy
View All 2019 Chicago Grants

What's New

Our Commitment to Grantee Partners | COVID-19 Read More → Chicago Leaders Creating a More Equitable City Read More →
Stimulating Economic Growth in Vital Communities Read More → Investing in Community Capacity Read More → Strengthening Community Safety Organizations Read More →
Linking Communities with Year-Round Programs Read More → Bridging Digital Divide for Chicago Communities Read More →
Increased Support for Community Organizations Responding to COVID-19 Read More → Safe and Peaceful Summer Events Adapt to COVID-19 Read More → Ensuring Everyone Is Counted in the 2020 Census Read More →
Supporting Artists and Arts and Culture Organizations During the Pandemic Read More → Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund Read More →
Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund Read More → Advancing Social Equity Through the Arts Read More → A Work in Progress: Participatory Grantmaking in the Arts Read More →
Themes from our Participatory Grantmaking Pilot in the Arts Read More → MacArthur in Chicago: Reflecting on 2019 Read More →
Looking at the Forest Read More → Facilitating International Cultural Exchanges Read More → Stories of Chicagoans Involved in Criminal Justice Read More →
$3.36 Million to Chicago Organizations Focused on Community Safety Read More → Culture, Equity, and the Arts: Accepting the Invitation to Change Read More →
Building Relationships and Earning Trust to Reduce Gun Violence Read More → Digital Education in the Summer Read More → Art Exhibition to Honor 40th Anniversary of MacArthur Fellows Program Read More →
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Chicago Stories

grantee stories Advancing Insight-Based Leadership Crossroads Fund, Chicago Urban League, and Chicago United for Equity are working to advance women of color in leadership, through mentorship, coaching, and grantmaking. View More → grantee stories Reconnecting Youth through Data and Collaboration Thrive Chicago connects youth-serving nonprofits to coordinate services and share data to help get disconnected youth on track in their communities. View More →
View All Chicago Stories
Grantees in the Media
"Chicago’s Not-So-Random Gang Violence: Just 6% of Gang ‘Factions’ Tied to Most Shootings Studied"
Chicago Sun-Times
Related Grantee: Chicago Community Foundation
"2020 Chicagoans of the Year: The Artists Who Thrived Amid the Impossible"
Chicago Tribune
Related Grantee: DuSable Museum of African American History
"‘We Want Them to Feel Loved’: Hundreds of Families Receive Groceries for Christmas Dinner as Chicago Area Faces Largest Hunger Crisis in Four Decades"
Chicago Tribune
Related Grantee: New Life Centers of Chicagoland
"A Focus on Housing Adds to Jobs Creation"
Crain's Chicago Business
Related Grantee: Southwest Organizing Project
"For Museums, 2020 Was an Open-and-Shut, Up-and-Mostly-Down Year"
Chicago Tribune
Related Grantee: Art Institute of Chicago
"With Museums Closed Again, Here Are 5 Great Online Museum Experiences"
Chicago Tribune
Related Grantee: Adler Planetarium
View All in the Media
Staff
Stephanie Platz, Managing Director, Programs
Stephanie Platz
Managing Director, Programs
Tara Magner, Director
Tara Magner
Director
Allison Clark, Associate Director
Allison Clark
Associate Director, Impact Investments
Janice A. Dunbar-Travis, Senior Grants Manager
Janice A. Dunbar-Travis
Senior Grants Manager
Cate A. Fox, Senior Program Officer
Cate A. Fox
Senior Program Officer
Patrick Griffin, Senior Program Officer
Patrick Griffin
Senior Program Officer, Criminal Justice
Tawa Mitchell, Senior Program Officer
Tawa Mitchell
Senior Program Officer
Geoffrey Banks , Senior Program Officer
Geoffrey Banks
Senior Program Officer
Ryan Priester, Program Officer
Ryan Priester
Program Officer
Karen Hott, Administrator
Karen Hott
Administrator
Mindy Martinez, Coordinator
Mindy Martinez
Coordinator
Louise Powell, Coordinator
Louise Powell
Coordinator
Media Contacts
Kristen Mack, Managing Director, Communications
Kristen Mack
Managing Director, Communications
Evaluation Contacts
Elizabeth Oo, Senior Evaluation Officer
Elizabeth Oo
Senior Evaluation Officer
View All Staff
The Historic Marquette Building Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities

Info For the Media

Members of the media seeking comment about our work in Chicago should call MacArthur Communications at 312.917.3690 or email Kristen Mack.

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