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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 1,500 local organizations and individuals

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

Facilitating International Cultural Exchanges Read More → Culture, Equity, and the Arts: Accepting the Invitation to Change Read More →
Connecting Across Borders, Through Dance Read More → Stories of Chicagoans Involved in Criminal Justice Read More → 1919 Race Riots Still Shape Chicago Read More →
$3.36 Million to Chicago Organizations Focused on Community Safety Read More → Professionalizing Street Outreach 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 →
‘Radical Inclusion’ to Combat Racial Injustice Read More → Letting Data Drive Community Investment 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 → Rethinking Justice, via the Arts Read More →
Quantifying Chicago’s Growing Dance Community Read More → Making Chicago Media More Inclusive and Diverse Read More → MacArthur in Chicago: Reflecting on 2018 Read More →
Demystifying the Arts Nonprofit Business Model Read More → Nonprofits and the Art of Financial Stability Read More →
Field, MacArthur Launch Programs Seeking Racially Equitable Chicago Read More → Joining Forces to Empower Chicago’s Women and Girls Read More → Elevating Others’ Voices While Finding Our Own Read More →
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Chicago Stories

grantee stories Connecting Across Borders, Through Dance International Connections Fund grant recipients created collaborative works of art with global partners that expand what’s possible. View More → grantee stories 1919 Race Riots Still Shape Chicago The Newberry Library coordinated a series of public programming throughout the city highlighting the history and legacy of Chicago’s 1919 race riots. View More →
View All Chicago Stories
In The Media
"Development Agency Tackles Poverty, Factionalism in South Suburbs"
Chicago Sun-Times
Related Grantee: South Suburban Mayors & Managers Association
"Many Ways to Breathe Life Into Chicago's South Side"
The Chronicle of Philanthropy
Related Grantee: Sweetwater Foundation
"A Modest but Smart Approach to End Gun Violence in Five Neighborhoods"
Chicago Sun-Times
Related Grantee: Chicago Community Foundation
"Chicago’s New Planning Chief Has Fresh Eyes For INVEST South/West"
WBEZ
Related Grantee: Austin Coming Together
"If You’re Disabled, Accessing Transit Can Be Like Solving a Puzzle with a Lot of Missing Pieces"
Chicago Tribune
Related Grantee: Metropolitan Planning Council
"Inspiring Tale of a Chicago Neighborhood That Would Not Die"
Associated Press
Related Grantee: Inner-City Muslim Action Network
View all in the media
Staff
Stephanie Platz, Managing Director, Programs
Stephanie Platz
Managing Director, Programs
Tara Magner, Director
Tara Magner
Director
Craig Howard, Internal Advisor
Craig Howard
Internal Advisor, Community & Economic Development, Internal Adviser, Chicago Commitment
Allison Clark, Associate Director
Allison Clark
Associate Director, Impact Investments
Janice A. Dunbar, Senior Grants Manager
Janice A. Dunbar
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
Geoffrey Banks , Program Officer
Geoffrey Banks
Program Officer
Tawa Mitchell, Senior Program Officer
Tawa Mitchell
Senior Program Officer
Karen Hott, Administrator
Karen Hott
Administrator
Mindy Martinez, Coordinator
Mindy Martinez
Coordinator
Louise Powell, Coordinator
Louise Powell
Coordinator
Media Contacts
Kristen Mack, Interim Director of Communications
Kristen Mack
Interim Director of Communications
Evaluation Contacts
Elizabeth Oo, Evaluation Officer
Elizabeth Oo
Evaluation Officer
View All Staff
The Historic Marquette Building Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities
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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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