On May 28th, the Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities (PSPC)—a coalition of over 40 funders working to substantially reduce gun violence and increase police legitimacy in Chicago—announced $1.1 million in grants to 181 community-based organizations for programs, services, and events this summer and fall.

This is the fourth consecutive year that PSPC is awarding grants through the Chicago Fund for Safe and Peaceful Communities , which provides rapid-response grants of $1,000 to $10,000 to hyper-local, community-led organizations creating the conditions to reduce violence on the South and West sides. The program is one of four violence-reduction strategies supported by PSPC members, along with street outreach and transitional jobs, police reform and community relations, and gun policy reform. To date, members have committed nearly $75 million to support these approaches.

The Chicago Fund supports events, programs, and services to foster stronger community bonds and crowd out violence, helping to reduce the gun violence that typically spikes during the warmer months of the year.

This year, the Chicago Fund prioritized 21 South and West Side community areas:

Austin, Auburn Gresham, Chatham, Chicago Lawn, Englewood, West Englewood, Gage Park, East Garfield Park, West Garfield Park, Greater Grand Crossing, Humboldt Park, Lower West Side (Pilsen), New City (Back of the Yards), North Lawndale, Roseland, South Chicago, South Lawndale (Little Village), South Shore, Washington Park, West Pullman and Woodlawn.

These grants are meaningful to these grassroots community organizations. This year, the median operating budget of grantee organizations is $83,000, while the median grant size is $6,111. In 2018, nearly 40,000 Chicago residents attended events, participated in programming, or received services as a result of Chicago Fund projects.

We spoke with a few 2019 grantees about what they do and how this grant supports their work. Visit the Chicago Fund’s website to learn more about all 181 grantees.

Gyrls in the H.O.O.D. Foundation – The Ruby Project

“The Ruby Project helps girls recognize their worth. I started this project to raise awareness of the roles girls play in the violence epidemic and to remind girls of their value and the consequences of gang activity.

This grant will cover social activities, transportation, violence prevention classes, incentives, awareness campaign materials, and more.”

-Chez Smith, Founder, Gyrls in the H.O.O.D. Foundation

Jardincito Nature Play Garden – Little Village Community Days

“The mission of Jardincito Nature Play Garden is to connect the issues of health and environment as a way to provide opportunities for growth and healing in our community. All of our programming is free and facilitated by community members. This highlights people who are doing great work in our community, and provides a learning experience for participants and facilitators.

This grant will support supplies and stipends for community facilitators leading our Earth Work and Artist in Residence program, community celebrations, and garden permaculture maintenance.”

-Sara Cortés  – Community Member, Jardincito Nature Play Garden

Chasing23 – Summer Male Mentoring Experience

“The goal of the Summer Male Mentoring Experience is to build a network of young people and residents in our community.

The Chicago Fund grant will support two core activities: mentorship and skills building. We will host weekly peace circles and social outings for mentoring matches. Secondly, we will partner with local creative professionals to introduce creative disciplines such as graphic design and silk screen production to young men in the Washington Park and Woodlawn communities.”

-Darius Ballinger, Founder and CEO, Chasing23

Darren B. Easterling Center – Truth and Reconciliation Summit 

“The summit is a day-long event designed to reweave the social fabric of various Chicago communities in an effort to move the city forward by healing its past. Through the practice of forgiveness, we hope to give rise to both healing and reconciliation with survivors, perpetrators, and community leaders, in an environment that develops a sense of connectedness.

Funds from this grant will support the overall costs associated with hosting the summit, including food, the venue, stipends for panelists, printing, and supplies.”

-Lisa Daniels, Founder, Darren B. Easterling Center for Restorative Practices

PSPC was founded in 2016 in response to a dramatic spike in gun violence in Chicago. Its innovative model aligns funders of diverse scale and mission around investments in evidence-based strategies to achieve a shared vision. Civic Consulting Alliance has supported PSPC from its inception, helping foundation leaders develop a portfolio of proven and promising strategies, developing funding approaches for each of the strategies, and managing the growth and operations of this complex, unique partnership.