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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:

Strong Organizations
Civic Partnerships
Vital Communities
Influential Leaders
Culture, Equity, and the Arts
View our entire Chicago strategy
View all 2018 Chicago Grants

What's New

Our Commitment to Grantee Partners | COVID-19 Read More → Advancing Social Equity Through the Arts 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 → 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 → Leaders for a New Chicago Read More →
MacArthur Provides $5 Million For Chicago Public Library Branch at Obama Presidential Center Read More → Recognizing Creative Placemaking Read More →
Supporting Community-Led Projects to Reduce Summer Violence Read More → Quantifying Chicago’s Growing Dance Community Read More → MacArthur in Chicago: Reflecting on 2018 Read More →
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Chicago Stories

grantee stories Responding to Disproportionate Impact of COVID-19 Access Living, Teamwork Englewood, and Mujeres Latinas en Acción have adapted their work to meet the extraordinary needs their communities face during the pandemic. View More → grantee stories Redefining Chicago Leadership Leaders for a New Chicago supports leaders who are often left out of the city’s historical power structure to ensure they influence the decisions that shape the city. View More →
View All Chicago Stories
Grantees in the Media
"West Side Violence Interrupters Shift from Stopping Shootings to Cleaning Up Neighborhoods Hit Hard by Looting"
Block Club Chicago
Related Grantee: Chicago Community Foundation
"With Dozens Being Shot Every Day, Anti-Violence Groups Continue Working Amid Looting And COVID-19"
WBEZ
Related Grantee: Chicago Community Foundation
"Commentary: Looting Isn’t The Answer, But Organizing Is"
Chicago Tribune
Related Grantee: My Block, My Hood, My City
"Feeling Anxious? Public Arts Group Opera-Matic Plans Lullaby Parades, Inspiring Messages on Men’s Ties, and Odes to COVID-19 to ‘Soothe’ Chicagoans This Summer"
Chicago Tribune
Related Grantee: Austin Coming Together
"In Chicago Lawn, IMAN ‘Doubles Down’ to Combat Virus Fallout"
WTTW
Related Grantee: Chicago Community Foundation
Rami Nashashibi, 2017 MacArthur Fellow
"Jim Hirsch, Chicago Sinfonietta’s Longtime CEO, Reflects on His Tenure As He Prepares to Step Down"
Chicago Tribune
Related Grantee: Chicago Sinfonietta
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 , Program Officer
Geoffrey Banks
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, Evaluation Officer
Elizabeth Oo
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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