The Chicago Giving Circle
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The Chicago Giving Circle
  • Home
  • About
  • Grantmaking
  • Grantees
  • Members
  • Annual Reports
  • Contact Us

CGC Grantmaking

grantmaking Philosophy

Strategic

collaborative

Strategic

We direct capital to specific community needs with a defined impact in mind. Our grantmaking is working towards a planned result.

Proactive

collaborative

Strategic

We identify organizations and/or programs that target specific issues and whom we want to fund over a few year time period.

collaborative

collaborative

collaborative

We work with our members to identify a specific focus area for each year's grantmaking. We engage with our grantees to support their vision.

CGC giving priorities

Impact areas

The Chicago Giving Circle (CGC) chooses a new impact area each year. The impact areas included in CGC's active grantee portfolio include the following:

  • Food Insecurity (grant cycle 2025 - 2027)
  • Youth Development & Crime Prevention (grant cycle 2024 - 2026)
  • Family Services (grant cycle 2023 - 2026)


Geography

Chicago, IL

Stage

Emerging nonprofits (or programs) with budgets between $1-5M

Does not fund

  • Grants to individuals or non 501(c)(3) organizations
  • Political causes
  • Sponsorships (events)

grantmaking process / calendar

Q1: Jan - March 

  • Determine Impact Area & Initial Sourcing 

Q2: April - May 

  • Diligence: Vetting, Applications, and Evaluation 

Q3: June - Sept 

  • Grant Selection & Award Finalization 

Q4: Oct - Dec 

  • Learning & Reflection 

The Chicago Giving Circle does not accept unsolicited grant applications. However, if you'd like us to look into an organization, please submit information via our online contact form.

Contact us

The Chicago Giving Circle

info@chicagogivingcircle.com

Copyright © 2025 The Chicago Giving Circle - All Rights Reserved.

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