Resilient Chicago Fund Open Call

Resilient Chicago Fund is a collaborative philanthropic initiative created to support innovation for basic human needs, co‑chaired by The Chicago Community Trust and John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. The fund is guided by a Steering Committee that includes Crown Family Philanthropies, Polk Bros. Foundation, Pritzker Traubert Foundation, Schreiber Philanthropy, Steans Family Foundation, RRF Foundation for Aging, and United Way of Metro Chicago. The goal of this funding opportunity is to enable nonprofits and government partners to adapt, rethink and redesign how essential benefits and services are delivered within food, shelter, healthcare and safety systems amid federal funding and policy changes.

This opportunity is designed for organizations or partnerships with significant experience in basic human needs systems and a clear understanding of how those systems operate. Collaborative proposals are strongly encouraged. Applicants should be prepared to commit time and leadership attention to exploring how benefits and services could function differently under new rules and changing conditions.

Please submit your application by Friday, April 17, 2026 at 11:59 CT.

Question Title

* 1. Project Title

Question Title

* 2. Brief Overview of Your Project In a few sentences, describe:

The specific system problem you are addressing

What you propose to redesign or change

Who will benefit

The measurable result you aim to achieve if successful

(250 words or less)

Question Title

* 3. Focus Area of Your Project (you may select up to two and/or write in your own response)

Food

Shelter

Healthcare

Safety

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 4. What type of project best describes the focus of your proposal?

Simplify or remove steps that create delays or roadblocks for people seeking help

Redesign how services are delivered or coordinated across organizations and sectors to improve effectiveness, efficiency, or user experience

Develop new operating or financing approaches that strengthen long-term sustainability

Develop, test and/or implement policy that adapts to federal changes and strengthens access to benefits and services.

The Problem You're Solving

Question Title

* 5. What current or anticipated federal funding changes, eligibility changes, or administrative requirements are creating pressure on the people you serve? Please describe. (100 words or less)

Question Title

* 6. Provide at least two to three data points that quantify the scale or severity of this problem in Chicago or Cook County. (100 words or less)

12% of survey complete.

Resilient Chicago Fund Open Call

Question Title

* 1. Project Title

Question Title

* 2. Brief Overview of Your Project In a few sentences, describe: The specific system problem you are addressing What you propose to redesign or change Who will benefit The measurable result you aim to achieve if successful (250 words or less)

Question Title

* 3. Focus Area of Your Project (you may select up to two and/or write in your own response)

Question Title

* 4. What type of project best describes the focus of your proposal?

Question Title

* 5. What current or anticipated federal funding changes, eligibility changes, or administrative requirements are creating pressure on the people you serve? Please describe. (100 words or less)

Question Title

* 6. Provide at least two to three data points that quantify the scale or severity of this problem in Chicago or Cook County. (100 words or less)

* 2. Brief Overview of Your Project In a few sentences, describe:

The specific system problem you are addressing

What you propose to redesign or change

Who will benefit

The measurable result you aim to achieve if successful

(250 words or less)