Join the 2022 Giving Project Cohort
Giving Project 2022 Interest Form 2022 Giving Project Calendar
Who Should Apply? What is the Commitment? FAQ
Chicago continues to be one of the most racially and economically segregated cities in the country. The Giving Project is an intentional commitment to confront these divisions by convening people from across the city to fund organizations who are fighting for systems change.
The Giving Project is an innovative model for building leadership and moving money for real change in Chicago. Each Giving Project brings together a cross-class, cross-race, gender-diverse, intergenerational group of 15-20 people who share a vision of social justice and want to apply their time, talent, and resources to supporting movements for social change.
Each cohort commits to a transformational six- month process that will include:
- Working together to strategically support underfunded and necessary social justice organizing.
- Building community together, across identities, and digging deep into issues of race, class and power.
- Make a donation that is personally meaningful (no minimum amount) and fundraise $150,000 to support movements.
- A full grantmaking process that funds social justice organizing projects, including site visits and final granting decisions.
In the past seven years, Giving Project cohorts have raised more than $830,000 that was given out in grants to support building social, racial, and economic justice movements across Chicago.
“This experience has impacted me in several ways. In addition to meeting amazing people and learning about grassroots advocacy in Chicago I have: a greater desire to contribute my resources for social change, a greater understanding of the critical need for advocacy in addition to direct service, and a greater confidence in my ability to raise funds.” –Giving Project Alumnus
Giving Project Interest Form (Open in New Window)
Giving Project 2021-2022 Calendar
(All sessions held virtually) (download as pdf)