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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 →
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 → Leaders for a New Chicago Read More → MacArthur Provides $5 Million For Chicago Public Library Branch at Obama Presidential Center Read More →
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Chicago Stories

grantee stories Black Lives Matter, an Art Installation MacArthur commissioned Dorian Sylvain to install artwork on the theme of Black Lives Matter in the Marquette Building. View More → grantee stories Revitalizing Land, Place, and Communities Urban Juncture and El Paseo Community Garden use creative placemaking to revitalize communities in Chicago. View More →
View All Chicago Stories
Grantees in the Media
"Chicago Has A New Plan To Reduce Gun Violence, But COVID-19 Has Already Created Financial Challenges"
WBEZ
Related Grantee: Chicago Community Foundation
"How the Chicago Sinfonietta Put Inclusion in Its DNA"
Chicago Tribune
Related Grantee: Chicago Sinfonietta
"New York Times Photo Essay That Mirrors Black Photographer’s Project in Chicago Prompts Apology"
Gateway Journalism Review
Related Grantee: Field Foundation of Illinois
"Students Continue Push Toward Chicago History Museum Exhibit Focused on Latino History"
Chicago Sun-Times
Related Grantee: Chicago Historical Society
"On Labor Day, Supporters Optimistic About Completing Pullman National Monument Work: ‘A Game Changer for Our Community’"
Chicago Tribune
Related Grantee: Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives
"‘Fund Us Like You Want Us to Win’"
The Chronicle of Philanthropy
William J. Barber II, 2018 MacArthur Fellow, Ta-Nehisi Coates, 2015 MacArthur Fellow, Nikole Hannah-Jones, 2017 MacArthur Fellow, Ai-jen Poo, 2014 MacArthur Fellow, Lateefah Simon , 2003 MacArthur Fellow, Bryan Stevenson , 1995 MacArthur Fellow, Robert L. Woodson , 1990 MacArthur Fellow, sujatha baliga, 2019 MacArthur Fellow
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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