Funders and donors have a role in movements, too. Let’s explore and sharpen this role together.

ILCPF is building a statewide philanthropic community committed to sustaining organizing for the long term. Together, we deepen our understanding of organizing and power and put our money, relationships, and institutional influence to work toward a more just Illinois.

Why We Invest in Organizing

Winning a policy is not the same as changing people’s lives. Lasting change requires government that can deliver and organized people with the power to make policies work, protect what has been won, and keep pushing for more. Organizing builds that power by developing leaders, strengthening organizations and relationships, and creating ways for everyday people to shape the decisions that affect their lives. Over time, that is how we build a stronger democracy that belongs to all of us.

How We Invest

We fund organizations and help build the conditions for their organizing to last.

~$150,000

Our estimated annual investment in direct funding and field building support for each local organizing group we partner with.

Because we are both a funder and a field builder, we pair flexible funding with coaching, training, cohort programming, and back-office support. This slow, patient work helps organizations develop people, strengthen their practice, and build power that lasts beyond any one campaign. We invest deeply in local organizations so they can win, protect, and expand change, and so local power can grow into something bigger across Illinois.

We offer institutional and individual memberships to support the work of Illinois Community Power Fund.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP?

Membership is an opportunity to engage in our community more deeply through:

  • Exclusive programming 

  • Opportunities to meet one-on-one with Illinois Community Power Fund staff and advisors

  • Access to member-only channels and communication platforms

  • Special pricing for our in-person events

WHAT DOES MEMBERSHIP PAY FOR?

Membership fees sustain Illinois Community Power Fund’s pooled fund and operational and programming budget. As such, please consider the level of membership equivalent to the support you are giving to other priority pooled funds and/or philanthropic networks. 

Contact Amanda Hwu to discuss the possibility of your membership.