About

At ILCPF, we see grantmaking and capacity building as two parts of the same strategy. We don’t just move dollars. We invest in the systems, skills, and alignment that allow organizing groups to grow stronger together.

ILCPF’s model is built on the belief that grantmaking and capacity building are most powerful when done together. The strength of our model lies in the intentional pairing of grantmaking and capacity building, which ensures that the resources we move are matched with the support, programming, and infrastructure organizing groups need to sustain and scale their power.

Defining Capacity Building

ILCPF conceptualizes capacity building as a set of spaces, tools, and infrastructure that:

  • Sustain the people that are building power through leadership development, reflection, mentorship, training, agitation, and networking

  • Supports organizing groups to be in long term alignment 

  • Brings new people into organizing and movement work to develop their leadership

  • Strengthens organizing groups to be sustainable, strategic, and healthy

3 Avenues of Capacity Building Support:

Grantee Support: Back-office and strategic support to existing community organizing grantees across the state of Illinois.

Cohort Support: Regular, programmatic support to a set cohort of community organizing groups geographically based.

Community Organizing Internship: Annual cohort of community organizing interns with 10 months of training and placed at a local community organizing site for 10-14 hours per week to learn what it means to be a community organizer.