Polk Bros. Foundation is a private independent foundation dedicated to building and strengthening Chicago's families and communities, especially those most affected by poverty and inequity. The Foundation focuses its work at the intersection of Chicago's most pressing issues to address the complex roots and devastating effects of poverty, challenge inequity, and ensure that all Chicagoans have the opportunity to reach their full potential. Since its founding in 1988, the Foundation has partnered with more than 3,000 Chicago nonprofits to build strong communities and families, increase access to quality education and the arts, improve health, and strengthen organizations and the sectors in which they work. Polk Bros. Foundation is one of the largest funders of Chicago nonprofits, granting more than $25 million to nearly 400 nonprofit partners every year, and managing assets greater than $400 million.
External link for Polk Bros. Foundation
20 W Kinzie St Ste 1110
Chicago, Illinois 60610-6468, US
Polk Bros. Foundation reposted this
We're hiring a Controller! If you have top-notch accounting skills and a strong grasp of generally accepted accounting principles — especially in a nonprofit or foundation setting — we’d love to hear from you. Join us in working toward a Chicago where those most affected by historic disinvestment and racial injustice can truly thrive in a city that values and nurtures them. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gaYFy7vn
Reminder: Today is the deadline to apply for a grant from the 2025 PSPC Chicago Fund. More details below. 👇
Do you know community leaders organizing summer and fall activities to promote safety & peace in Chicago neighborhoods? They might qualify for a grant of up to $10,000 from the Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities 2025 Chicago Fund. Deadline to apply is 5pm on Monday, March 3. Learn more. (Link in first comment.)
We're hiring a Controller! If you have top-notch accounting skills and a strong grasp of generally accepted accounting principles — especially in a nonprofit or foundation setting — we’d love to hear from you. Join us in working toward a Chicago where those most affected by historic disinvestment and racial injustice can truly thrive in a city that values and nurtures them. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gaYFy7vn
Families experiencing homelessness and/or housing instability are invited to apply for cash assistance through the Stability Investment for Family Housing (SIFH) program. This initiative, funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and managed by GiveDirectly, provides direct financial support. Oversight and research will be provided by the University of Chicago Inclusive Economy Lab (IEL). Please share! Learn more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/eYGM7Q56 📅 Application Deadline: March 9th, 2025
We are saddened by the passing of Tuyet M. Le, a fierce advocate, visionary leader, and unwavering champion for immigrant justice, racial equity and disability rights in Chicago. Our hearts go out to her loved ones, colleagues, and all who were touched by her leadership. May we honor her legacy by carrying forward the vision and values she championed.
We are deeply saddened to share that Tuyet M. Le, Advancing Justice | Chicago’s former executive director, passed away this weekend. Tuyet was a remarkable leader who transformed our organization over her 18-year tenure. When Tuyet first became executive director in 1999, Advancing Justice | Chicago was a fledgling organization with just two staff. By the time she passed the torch in 2018, she had established Advancing Justice | Chicago as a powerful advocacy organization and outspoken voice for racial equity. Tuyet exponentially increased our organization’s staff and capacity, built lasting infrastructure within the Asian American community, and crafted a vision for our future that still resonates today. Her many accomplishments included spearheading the Asian American community’s first joint Census outreach effort in 2000 and co-founding the Pan-Asian Voter Empowerment (PAVE) Coalition in 2001. At a time when there were no Asian Americans in the Illinois state legislature, Tuyet convened an “Asian American Caucus” of legislators whose districts were at least 10% Asian American. The PAVE Coalition educated these elected officials about issues impacting the Asian American community, organized what is now an annual Asian American Action Day in Springfield, and hosted Chicago’s first multilingual Asian American mayoral forum in 2011. Tuyet played a pivotal role in countless advocacy efforts, including affirmative action in city contracting, redistricting, and the Illinois TRUST Act, to name a few. Tuyet’s fearless leadership, clear vision, and unwavering commitment made Advancing Justice | Chicago into what it is today. She challenged us to live out our organizational values of Love, Interdependence, Tenacity, Audacity, and Impact – reminding us to “ask for forgiveness, not for permission,” to be “fire starters and truth tellers,” and to think outside the box by “brain-kiting” (her alternative phrase for brainstorming). She never attended a meeting that didn’t have a “POP” (a clear Purpose, Outcomes, and Process). She had a great sense of humor and the humility of a community organizer. We invite you to share your memories of Tuyet, along with stories of her impact, with us. Please email info@advancingjustice-chicago.org with the subject line “Tuyet.” We will compile these stories to share with her loved ones and broader community at the celebration of her life this summer. We will remember and honor Tuyet in all of the work we do. May her legacy continue to inspire all whose lives she touched.
The Chicago’s Cultural Treasures (ChiTreasures) initiative is excited to announce Culture Forward Chicago, a final round of grant funding for #arts and #culture organizations in Chicago that support BIPOC cultural traditions. Applications open now and close March 3. Visit https://lnkd.in/gYwYtHx to learn more and to apply.
Do you know community leaders organizing summer and fall activities to promote safety & peace in Chicago neighborhoods? They might qualify for a grant of up to $10,000 from the Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities 2025 Chicago Fund. Deadline to apply is 5pm on Monday, March 3. Learn more. (Link in first comment.)
We loved reading this conversation with Deborah Bennett! Check it out to see what she’s up to and what she’s thinking about.
We had the privilege of sitting down with LSI Fellow Deborah Bennett to discuss this year's cohort and her vision for a meaningful next chapter. With over 30 years of experience in community development, Deborah has been a leading voice and respected grantmaker, working alongside foundations, government agencies, nonprofits, and community leaders throughout Chicago and beyond. Read our full interview with her here: https://lnkd.in/gBfvuPgM
Polk Bros. Foundation reposted this
“On behalf of The Network, thank you to Gov. JB Pritzker, our sponsors Rep. Maura Hirschauer and Sen. Celina Villanueva, as well as Senate President Don Harmon and House Speaker Chris Welch. We would also like to thank Legal Aid Chicago and the more than 40 advocacy groups that made their voices heard on this issue, including domestic violence advocates, gun violence prevention advocates, medical providers, community groups, and many more. We are especially indebted to the family of Karina Gonzalez, including Manny and Maria Alvarez, for their incredible advocacy in the wake of unspeakable loss. While this legislation will not bring back Karina, Daniela, or the many others who have lost their lives to domestic gun violence, it will absolutely save lives in the years to come. While today is a historic moment in the fight against domestic and gender-based violence in our state, there is still more work ahead of us, especially with the concerning actions from the incoming presidential administration and the post-pandemic increase in domestic gun violence. The passage and signing of Karina’s Law makes clear that our lawmakers in Illinois, from the local level to the state legislature to the Governor, are taking action to ensure our state is a leader in the fight against domestic violence. This law is a clear signal to survivors that they are believed, heard, and trusted in addressing their needs as they escape the cycle of abuse. In Illinois, we stand with survivors. We will work with the advocates, the courts, and law enforcement to ensure a smooth implementation of Karina’s Law. We also look forward to continuing to collaborate with lawmakers locally and in Springfield to provide the strongest possible protections to survivors and their families.” -Amanda Pyron, President and CEO of The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence #KarinasBill #SupportingSurvivors #DomesticViolence #GBV #DomesticGunViolence #EndDomesticViolence #ProtectSurvivors
Polk Bros. Foundation reposted this
Hurry and claim your space in our free webinar looking at the recent executive actions and what they will mean for charitable nonprofits. The last couple weeks have been a whirlwind for many nonprofits, from the more than 100 Executive Orders (EOs) issued by President Trump to the confusion about the funding freeze ordered in a memo from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). While a judge granted a Temporary Restraining Order in the case filed by the National Council of Nonprofits and others, and OMB rescinded the memo, the EOs are still in effect, and charitable nonprofits with federal grants are still feeling the impact of these decisions. If you want to join us live, register here: https://bit.ly/42EZkHr If you can’t join us live, but want to register to receive the recording, please register here: https://bit.ly/4jHL0Ux ____________________________ Confirmed Speakers: 🔹Tiffany Carter, Policy Counsel, National Council of Nonprofits 🔹Nonoko Sato, President & CEO, Minnesota Council of Nonprofits 🔹Diane Yentel, President & CEO, National Council of Nonprofits