Deadline: 11-Mar-22
The 2022 Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities (PSPC) Chicago Fund is now open to support community-led efforts that make neighborhoods safer.
The Chicago Fund exists to create the conditions for violence prevention and reduction during the summer months, and supports activities by nonprofit organizations that build community cohesion and promote safety and peace.
The Partnership is the administrator of the Fund for Safe and Peaceful Communities, which is supported by institutional and individual donors whose contributions make it possible to award thousands of dollars in grants.
Grants can be used to support a range of community-led programs and events that help create conditions necessary for the prevention and reduction of violence, including COVID-safe block parties, digital media initiatives, community garden events, peer mentoring projects, back-to-school supply giveaways, and more.
Funding Information
The Fund will award grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to nonprofit organizations with annual operating budgets no larger than $500,000 engaging in activities that build community cohesion and promote safety and peace.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants are strongly encouraged, but not required, to propose activities that adhere to one or more of the Seven Field Principles (7FP) model, an evidence-based framework with the following components, which has been successful in fostering strong communities and reducing violence:
- Create a sense of community through programs and activities that are based on community members’ ideas for how to reduce violence. These programs should build relationships and networks among residents, families, schools, nonprofits, churches, businesses, etc.
- Share knowledge across generations by providing models, tools and techniques for learning. These programs, such as mentoring and leadership development, will give community members access to new skills and information.
- Create a sense of connectedness by engaging large numbers of community members in group activities. These activities will allow for youth, adults, community organizations, faith-based organizations, schools, businesses, etc. to come together and collectively take part in positive, proactive community events such as back-to-school rallies, peace walks, neighborhood festivals, arts and sports activities and prosocial youth programs.
- Provide opportunities to learn social and emotional skills through activities such as leadership development workshops, peace circles, and volunteering that promote self-control, empathy and positive communication.
- Improve the self-esteem and self-efficacy (sense of power) of youth in the community by providing opportunities for leadership, employment and skillbuilding.
- Build relationships between youth and adults through activities that create safe spaces for youth.
- Minimize trauma by connecting community members with caregivers and support services such as wellbeing workshops and events with community service providers.
- Collaboration among community organizations is strongly recommended as the 7FP model is more effective when implemented in a comprehensive and coordinated way. Activities that promote constructive relationships between police and community residents are encouraged but not required.
- Organizations working in Austin, Auburn Gresham, Burnside, Chatham, Chicago Lawn, Englewood, Fuller Park, Gage Park, East Garfield Park, Greater Grand Crossing, Humboldt Park, Lower West Side (Pilsen), New City (Back of the Yards), North Lawndale, Riverdale, Roseland, South Chicago, South Lawndale (Little Village), South Shore, Washington Park, West Englewood, West Garfield Park, West Pullman, and Woodlawn are invited to apply.
- The Chicago Fund will consider applications from groups, agencies, and organizations with a valid 501(c)3 designation or that have a 501(c)3 fiscal sponsor whose interests are consistent with the goals of the fund to support grassroots, community-based solutions that make Chicago neighborhoods safer. Grants may not be used to support or advocate for the purchase or use of guns as part of any response.
- Eligible recipients must conduct programming and activities in the target communities. Criteria for funding will include the proposed activities and degree to which they follow the 7FP framework, the track record of the applicant, extent of collaboration with others and willingness to share information and plans.
For more information, visit https://www.safeandpeacefulchi.com/
