Thriving Communities

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Investing in Chicago’s Future

The Robert R. McCormick Foundation is committed to long-term solutions that pay dividends for generations. We concentrate our efforts on Chicago’s South and West Sides, particularly in the Englewood and Little Village neighborhoods and through our partnership with the United Way’s Neighborhood Network.

The success of our investments depends on the strength of organizations that have a passion for their neighborhoods. We work alongside local leaders to help identify community priorities and create a resident-driven strategy that works to improve the quality of life and increase economic opportunity.

Applications for funding are extended by invitation only. At this time, unsolicited letters of inquiry are not accepted.

Breaking It Down

Key Investment Areas

All Investment Areas

$42.7M

The Foundation’s investments reflect our commitment to Chicago’s South and West Sides, and on the Englewood, Little Village, and United Way neighborhoods, as well as our partnership with the United Way Neighborhood Network. We are also eager to support promising state–, region– and citywide initiatives that will benefit communities throughout the area.

Click on an individual section to view more detail.

Englewood

$4M

Proud of their rich history and committed to improving quality of life in their community, Englewood residents have launched a number of initiatives to improve quality of life in the neighborhood. We partner with Teamwork Englewood and several organizations to lift up entrepreneurs, connect residents with jobs, help children succeed, and improve public safety.

Click on an individual section to view more detail.

Little Village

$5.9M

For nearly half a century, Little Village has been home to a robust Mexican-American community. The rich cultural heritage runs through its businesses, restaurants, churches, institutions, and politics, strengthening the neighborhood. We partner with Enlace Chicago and support numerous efforts to engage youth, improve health care access, stimulate business growth, and create accessible, supportive pathways to greater educational attainment.

Click on an individual section to view more detail.

United Way Neighborhood Network

$3.2M

The United Way–McCormick Partnership for Strong Neighborhoods leverages the considerable resources of our two institutions to help select Chicago neighborhoods and suburbs improve from the “inside out.” Working alongside local leaders to help identify each communities’ priorities and create a resident-driven strategy, we provide significant financial assistance and operational support. The United Way Neighborhood Network communities includes nine Chicago neighborhoods and four suburbs.

Click on an individual section to view more detail.

South & West Sides

$5.7M

Several grants work across Chicago’s South and West Sides to capitalize on unique opportunities and meet critical community needs.

Click on an individual section to view more detail.

Other Neighborhoods

$395,000

Click on an individual section to view more detail.

Citywide

$13.7M

Click on an individual section to view more detail.

Regional

$1.3M

Click on an individual section to view more detail.

Statewide

$8.4M

The Foundation occasionally invests in opportunities to change how government works statewide, for example, to improve how the state assesses kindergarten readiness or improve media coverage of decision-making in the state capital.

Click on an individual section to view more detail.

All Investment Areas

$38.9M

The Foundation’s investments reflect our commitment to Chicago’s South and West Sides, and on the Englewood, Little Village, and United Way neighborhoods, as well as our partnership with the United Way Neighborhood Network. We are also eager to support promising state–, region– and citywide initiatives that will benefit communities throughout the area.

Click on an individual section to view more detail.

Englewood

$2.7M

Proud of their rich history and committed to improving quality of life in their community, Englewood residents have launched a number of initiatives to improve quality of life in the neighborhood. We partner with Teamwork Englewood and several organizations to lift up entrepreneurs, connect residents with jobs, help children succeed, and improve public safety.

Click on an individual section to view more detail.

Little VIllage

$2.8M

For nearly half a century, Little Village has been home to a robust Mexican-American community. The rich cultural heritage runs through its businesses, restaurants, churches, institutions, and politics, strengthening the neighborhood. We partner with Enlace Chicago and support numerous efforts to engage youth, improve health care access, stimulate business growth, and create accessible, supportive pathways to greater educational attainment.

Click on an individual section to view more detail.

United Way Neighborhood Network

$1.8M

The United Way–McCormick Partnership for Strong Neighborhoods leverages the considerable resources of our two institutions to help select Chicago neighborhoods and suburbs improve from the “inside out.” Working alongside local leaders to help identify each communities’ priorities and create a resident-driven strategy, we provide significant financial assistance and operational support. The United Way Neighborhood Network communities includes nine Chicago neighborhoods and four suburbs.

Click on an individual section to view more detail.

South & West Sides

$4.6M

Several grants work across Chicago’s South and West Sides to capitalize on unique opportunities and meet critical community needs.

Click on an individual section to view more detail.

Other Neighborhoods

$1.4M

Click on an individual section to view more detail.

Citywide

$12.6M

Click on an individual section to view more detail.

Regional

$3.7M

Click on an individual section to view more detail.

Statewide

$9.2M

The Foundation occasionally invests in opportunities to change how government works statewide, for example, to improve how the state assesses kindergarten readiness or improve media coverage of decision-making in the state capital.

Click on an individual section to view more detail.

All Investment Areas

$39.6M

The Foundation’s investments reflect our commitment to Chicago’s South and West Sides, and on the Englewood, Little Village, and United Way neighborhoods, as well as our partnership with the United Way Neighborhood Network. We are also eager to support promising state–, region– and citywide initiatives that will benefit communities throughout the area.

Click on an individual section to view more detail.

Englewood

$2.4M

Proud of their rich history and committed to improving quality of life in their community, Englewood residents have launched a number of initiatives to improve quality of life in the neighborhood. We partner with Teamwork Englewood and several organizations to lift up entrepreneurs, connect residents with jobs, help children succeed, and improve public safety.

Click on an individual section to view more detail.

Little Village

$3.7M

For nearly half a century, Little Village has been home to a robust Mexican-American community. The rich cultural heritage runs through its businesses, restaurants, churches, institutions, and politics, strengthening the neighborhood. We partner with Enlace Chicago and support numerous efforts to engage youth, improve health care access, stimulate business growth, and create accessible, supportive pathways to greater educational attainment.

Click on an individual section to view more detail.

South & West Sides

$5.3M

Several grants work across Chicago’s South and West Sides to capitalize on unique opportunities and meet critical community needs.

Click on an individual section to view more detail.

Other Neighborhoods

$1.4M

Click on an individual section to view more detail.

Citywide

$16.2M

Click on an individual section to view more detail.

Regional

$2.9M

Click on an individual section to view more detail.

Statewide

$7.8M

The Foundation occasionally invests in opportunities to change how government works statewide, for example, to improve how the state assesses kindergarten readiness or improve media coverage of decision-making in the state capital.

Click on an individual section to view more detail.

NEIGHBORHOODS

Englewood

In rebuilding this historically thriving neighborhood, the community is leveraging its strengths to spur economic investment.

Englewood
Little Village arch at 26th Street

Little Village

A shared cultural heritage strengthens efforts to enhance a vibrant business community and improve access to opportunity.

Little Village

United Way
Neighborhood Network

Transforming communities from the “inside out,” the network supports nine Chicago neighborhoods and four suburbs.

United Way Neighborhoods

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