Chicago Vibrant Neighborhoods Collective

Chicago Vibrant Neighborhoods Collective Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Chicago Vibrant Neighborhoods Collective, Nonprofit Organization, Chicago, IL.

Chicago Vibrant Neighborhoods Collective (CVNC) strengthens sustainability of homegrown community-based organizations through free capacity-building, resources, and opportunities for collaboration.

What we heard from you: Nonprofit leaders need real tools and space to sustain themselves so they can sustain their orga...
05/28/2026

What we heard from you: Nonprofit leaders need real tools and space to sustain themselves so they can sustain their organizations.

That's why we're hosting From Burnout to Balance: Sustainable Self-Care for Nonprofit Leaders — a hands-on half-day workshop designed for people doing the hard work of building neighborhoods. 💙

📅 Morning of June 9th
📍 North Lawndale

Facilitated by Devin Moran, Ph.D., this session will explore mindfulness, meditation, leadership resilience, and the practice of embracing joy — grounded in science and built for real life.

A few spots are still available! Check the flier for details and register at the link below. We'd love to see you there.
👉 wkf.ms/4nujhZS

Fundraising is one of those things every nonprofit knows they need to do, but is one of the hardest to find time, tools,...
05/21/2026

Fundraising is one of those things every nonprofit knows they need to do, but is one of the hardest to find time, tools, and confidence for.

In their last session, organizations from our North Lawndale Collective — Code Your Dreams, Heavenly Cynt Youth Inc, Lawndale Pop-Up Spot, One Lawndale Arts & Activism Incubator, and The Quilt Corporation NFP — dug into fundraising strategy together.

They explored how to diversify their revenue, build real relationships with donors, tell a fundraising story that connects, and share the work across more than one person on the team — including their boards.

Speaking of boards, if you’re looking for a place to start, check out CVNC’s Individual Board Member Plan — a free tool we launched on our blog last year to help boards take real, concrete action on fundraising: https://tinyurl.com/wfcavryb

Spotlight on TGi Movement — a community-rooted nonprofit doing real work in the community, and one of the organizations ...
05/19/2026

Spotlight on TGi Movement — a community-rooted nonprofit doing real work in the community, and one of the organizations currently partnering with CVNC through our Capacity Catalyst program.

Earlier this month, we got to spend time with Founder Devonta Boston and CVNC technical expert Emily Ardell (Four Corners Global Consulting Group) as they mapped out a customized workplan to strengthen TGi Movement's program metrics, storytelling, and fundraising.

This is what the Capacity Catalyst program looks like up close — sitting side by side with leaders, listening to their vision, and building a plan together that's grounded in what their organization actually needs to grow.

We're so grateful to TGi Movement for welcoming us in. Follow them to keep up with all the incredible work they're doing in Chicago.

Meet ShoeHeals, Inc. — a Chicago nonprofit doing something powerful with something as simple as a pair of shoes. 💙ShoeHe...
05/13/2026

Meet ShoeHeals, Inc. — a Chicago nonprofit doing something powerful with something as simple as a pair of shoes. 💙

ShoeHeals transforms new and gently used footwear into opportunity for children and families experiencing hardship. Properly fitting shoes support so much more than people realize: health, school attendance, confidence, and the ability to fully show up in daily life.

We are proud to work alongside Founder Charisma Cannon as she builds ShoeHeals’ next chapter and we were especially excited to cheer her on at SVP Chicago’s Fast Pitch, where she won the Spirit of Fast Pitch award! 🎉

Here’s what Charisma had to say about working with CVNC:
“Our connection with CVNC is truly serendipitous; a random email showed up at exactly the moment ShoeHeals was ready to grow beyond grassroots and into its next phase. What started as an unexpected opportunity has become a meaningful partnership that is helping us build our strategy, strengthen our infrastructure, and provide the support, guidance, and encouragement we need to strengthen our foundation and prepare to bring the ShoeHeals Shoe Mobile into communities across Chicago.”

We can’t wait to see the ShoeHeals Shoe Mobile out in Chicago neighborhoods soon. Learn more about their work here: https://www.shoeheals.org

💡Funding Feed: Resources to Grow Neighborhood ImpactEach month, CVNC highlights grant opportunities for small- and mid-s...
05/11/2026

💡Funding Feed: Resources to Grow Neighborhood Impact

Each month, CVNC highlights grant opportunities for small- and mid-sized nonprofits creating meaningful change in their communities.

The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events recently opened its annual CityArts Program application. The CityArts Program aims to support a diverse group of arts and culture nonprofits reflective of the city of Chicago and its cultural landscape through flexible and strategic grant funding. Chicago arts and culture nonprofits of all sizes and artistic disciplines can apply for CityArts grants. Grants can be used to support general operating costs or specific projects.

Apply here: 🔗 https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/cityarts.html

💡Funding Feed: Resources to Grow Neighborhood ImpactEach month, CVNC highlights grant opportunities for small- and mid-s...
05/08/2026

💡Funding Feed: Resources to Grow Neighborhood Impact

Each month, CVNC highlights grant opportunities for small- and mid-sized nonprofits creating meaningful change in their communities.

The Chicago Foundation for Women recently re-opened applications for their Rapid Response Fund. The Rapid Response Fund prioritizes community-led strategies that protect fundamental rights and strengthen community power during periods of heightened risk and opportunity with grants of $1,000-$5,000. These grants will support the unexpected or unbudgeted costs associated with community work and advocacy during a time of crisis and unpredictable change, including short term capacity or program adjustments needed to respond quickly to emerging civic or democratic participation needs.

Apply here: 🔗 https://www.cfw.org/how-to-apply/

Yesterday, we joined SVP Chicago to host Real Talk Session 3: It’s Not You, It’s the System at Malcolm X College, and th...
05/07/2026

Yesterday, we joined SVP Chicago to host Real Talk Session 3: It’s Not You, It’s the System at Malcolm X College, and the room was packed for a reason.

The loudest message that we heard: community priorities need to be front and center for funders, and funders need to build partnerships that actually give community-based organizations an equal seat at the table.

A few other things that stuck with us:

🔹 Funders have expectations that community organizations – people who know the most about their communities - can’t always meet
🔹 The post-COVID return to heavy reporting requirements has come at a cost, replacing trust-based partnerships with red tape, and quieting community voice in the process
🔹 Burnout in this sector isn’t a personal failing: it’s a system issue, and sustainable practices should be core infrastructure, not perks
🔹 Co-governance practices like putting community leaders on foundation boards is one of the most concrete paths forward

Thanks to moderator Lori Lightfoot, our panelists, and SVP Chicago for making this series what it is.
These conversations matter and we’re already thinking about what’s next. Follow along so you don’t miss it. 👀

💡Funding Feed: Resources to Grow Neighborhood ImpactEach month, CVNC highlights grant opportunities for small- and mid-s...
05/07/2026

💡Funding Feed: Resources to Grow Neighborhood Impact

Each month, CVNC highlights grant opportunities for small- and mid-sized nonprofits creating meaningful change in their communities.

The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) recently released an RFP seeking a Lead Coordinating Organization (LCO) to administer the Community-Centered Wellness Microgrant program. The RFP seeks a single LCO to design and implement a coordinated, citywide application system to distribute microgrants to Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) that provide existing community engagement and health promotion events in priority communities. If your organization has experience working in health and wellness and the capacity to administer an application-based grant program, this opportunity could be for you!

Apply here: 🔗 https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/cdph/provdrs/cdph_administration/svcs/rfps-and-grants.html?utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CDPH+RFPs+5-5-26&utm_term=https%3a%2f%2fwww.chicago.gov%2fcity%2fen%2fdepts%2fcdph%2fprovdrs%2fcdph_administration%2fsvcs%2frfps-and-grants.html&utm_id=1432483&sfmc_id=316167672 #66213

Last Friday we got to see what happens when businesses come together with community leaders.We spent the morning at an o...
05/05/2026

Last Friday we got to see what happens when businesses come together with community leaders.

We spent the morning at an open house hosted by SELOC LLC in Chicago, where Greg Coles and Clifford Stokes Jr. lead a dedicated team converting fossil fuel vehicles into electric ones. SELOC has built powerful partnerships with Tanya Watkins of Why We Care NFP and Carlos Redmond of Chicago Area Veterans Forum who support people enrolled in their training program — a real model of what private and nonprofit sectors can do together.

Here's what made it extra meaningful for us: Tanya and Carlos were both part of our very first Roseland Neighborhood Collective, launched last spring. Watching their work expand into partnerships like this one is exactly why we do this.

When homegrown organizations have the support to grow, whole neighborhoods benefit.

05/04/2026

💡Funding Feed: Resources to Grow Neighborhood Impact

Each month, CVNC highlights grant opportunities for small- and mid-sized nonprofits creating meaningful change in their communities.

The Polk Bros Foundation a Request for Proposals today focused on nurturing and elevating the next generation of civil society leadership in Chicago. The RFP seeks organizations with youth-led collective action initiatives that address specific issues of significance to young Chicagoans (up to age 26). If your organization has direct experience working on youth leadership and empowerment, this could be the opportunity for you!

Apply here: 🔗 https://www.polkbrosfdn.org/our-transition-period-how-were-preparing-for-future-grantmaking/next-generation-power-building/

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