CHICAGO — Is someone in your neighborhood working to make things better for the community at large? You now have a chance to help them expand their mission.
Each year the Chicago office of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, also known as LISC Chicago, rewards community organizations and developers with grants. You can get projects in your neighborhood funded by nominating them here through Sept. 17.
The Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards highlight community organizations and developers who help strengthen Chicago communities through neighborhood real estate development, community engagement, neighborhood planning, creative peacemaking and building healthy communities.
“These types of investments in Chicago’s neighborhoods are crucial not just for communities’ survival — but for them to truly thrive,” said LISC Chicago Executive Director Meghan Harte in a statement.
“When you have both non-profit and for-profit organizations on your side, all working collaboratively toward a common goal of creating something sustainable to nurture a community’s health, there’s no way to lose. We continue to recognize those helping to make it happen because their work continues to be vital,” Harte said.
Award opportunities include grants from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Creative Placemaking Award, the Chicago Community Trust Outstanding Community Plan Award, the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Award for Outstanding Non-Profit Neighborhood Real Estate Project, and the Woods Fund Chicago Power of Community Award.
Previous winners of the Chicago Neighborhoods Development Awards include Preservation for Affordable Housing in Woodlawn, Chicago Metropolitan Housing Development, Saint Anthony Hospital Mental Health Services, Mikvah Challenge, Thresholds, Albany Park Neighborhood Council, The Resurrection Project and more.
Winners will be announced and honored on Thursday, May 9 at McCormick Place.