Apply for a Communities Grant

Grant Guidelines

We support nonprofit organizations that meet the following criteria:

• Have 501(c)3 federal tax-exempt status, or use a fiscal sponsor for that purpose
• Serve residents of the Greater Chicago metropolitan region with a priority on Chicago's south and west sides
• Demonstrate a strong financial position
• Use data to inform practice and track impact
• Address at least one of our focus areas: Education, Health and Wellness, or Jobs and Economic Opportunity

Additionally, nonprofit organizations must follow one of these approaches:

Networks

We support community-driven plans in which organizations work together to help improve services and outcomes across our Focus Areas.

Community-wide Level: Supporting organizations leading and/or participating in community-informed initiatives addressing one or more focus areas. Priority is given to initiatives in areas showing the highest economic and racial disparities in Chicago and Suburban communities.

Citywide/Regional Level: Supporting networks of organizations or coalitions providing services that impact the well-being of a particular population. Priority is given to networks focusing on populations showing the highest economic, racial, and gender disparities in comparison to the general population. (Example, Opportunity Youth, Returning Citizens)

Place-Based

We currently support Quality of Life Plans, designed and led by community residents and stakeholders, in Chicago’s Little Village and Englewood neighborhoods. To date, the Communities Program has supported training efforts to increase local capacity and funded direct services that are aligned with each plan’s goals and strategies.

Grant consideration is given to those programs and initiatives that are supported by the local committees of residents and stakeholders aligned with each community’s Quality of Life Plan.

Systems-Building

We support the following initiatives that address economic and racial disparities aligned with our Focus Areas:

Public policy and advocacy efforts increasing resources and removing disparities.

Community leadership training, engagement, and mobilization.
Support of these activities is limited to our focused work in Little Village and Englewood, as well as adjacent neighborhoods with community-driven plans.

Related research and evaluation of practices.

We do not make grants to:

• Capital campaigns or endowments
• Public, private, or charter schools
• Government agencies
• Individuals

Grant Application Process

At this time, Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) for the Communities Program are invite-only. Please direct questions about the Communities Program to info@mccormickfoundation.org.

Apply for a Grant with a Communities Program Partner

For additional grant opportunities check out the Communities Program's sports and philanthropic partners.

Chicago Blackhawks Community Fund

Chicago Bulls Community Assist Fund

Chicago White Sox Community Fund

Cubs Charities Community Fund

United Way of Metropolitan Chicago