Chicago Commitment: Vital Communities Grant

Chicago Commitment: Vital Communities Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: John D and Catherine T MacArthur Foundation
Last Updated: February 14, 2026

Summary

The Chicago Commitment: Vital Communities Grant aims to promote racial equity and inclusivity within Chicago by supporting diverse initiatives and organizations. This grant focuses on community-driven development, addressing historical disparities and fostering economic growth through place-based strategies. It encourages community engagement in planning to mitigate the risk of displacement while enhancing access to arts and culture. Eligible organizations must demonstrate a commitment to equitable development and have a track record of community involvement.

Overview

NOTE:Initiatives and organizations that wish to be considered for support may "self-nominate" by submitting a brief description of their work through our grants portal.In addition, we are eager to learn about initiatives and organizations that have not previously received support, as well as new ideas from prior grant recipients. Overview The Chicago Commitment team invests in people, places, and partnerships to advance racial equity and build a more inclusive Chicago. The Vital Communities focus of the strategy draws on these three elements to support a diverse and resilient metropolitan area. Chicago is a global city with vibrant, diverse neighborhoods and a strong civic culture. Yet historical and current systemic disparities create unequal access to resources and opportunities for many groups, including Black, Latine, Indigenous, Asian, LGBTQIA+, and disabled people and communities—especially when these multiple identities intersect. We believe that a dynamic metropolitan area is dependent upon equitable community development. The Vital Communities focus of the Chicago Commitment’s work stimulates development in historically disinvested neighborhoods by making early investments in response to community needs that contribute to economic growth. We support place-based economic development and creative placemaking and placekeeping initiatives to improve the quality of life for individuals in neighborhoods that have experienced disinvestment. We also support organizations whose research and analysis inform socially beneficial and equitable development. What We Fund Place-based Initiative Awards In our 10 designated communities, we support organizations that: draw on community assets and the potential to attract commercial real estate or industrial development;engage residents in designing development plans that strive to build on community assets and anticipate unintended consequences, such as displacement; have a record of community planning, prior experience in development, and the capacity to support new projects; and have been nominated by a diverse group of advisors who serve as external nominators of promising place-based initiatives.. Creative Placemaking and Placekeeping Awards We support projects that: effectively address a community purpose, issue, or need;bring residents together to make social, physical, and economic changes in their neighborhoods through arts and culture; and enable greater access for communities to participate in and benefit from artistic or cultural activities, particularly where few such activities exist. Infrastructure Support Organizations We support entities that conduct planning, management, policy research, evaluation, data analysis, or other forms of organizational development support to groups working at the community or regional level. Please refer to Criteria for additional information.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. In our ten designated communities, we support organizations that: draw on community assets and the potential to attract commercial real estate or industrial development; engage residents in designing development plans that strive to build on community assets and anticipate unintended consequences, such as displacement;have a record of community planning, prior experience in development, and the capacity to support new projects; andhave been nominated by a diverse group of advisors who serve as external nominators of promising place-based initiatives.

Ineligibility

The Foundation does not provide funding for the following:Scholarships or tuition assistance for undergraduate, graduate, or postgraduate studies; Grants to individuals, except for the MacArthur Fellows Program, which is not open to applications or public nominations; Annual fundraising drives; Paid advertisements; or Political activities or attempts to influence action on specific legislation.