Chicago Vibrant Neighborhoods Collective

09/29/2026

There’s a lot to celebrate in Roseland!

Reimagining Roseland Community Collective (R2C2) is opening its doors for a Fall Kickback & Meet and Greet to celebrate what they’ve accomplished and what’s ahead. The afternoon will mark one year of Mattie’s Place, their home for young people when they need a safe place to land, as well as the launch of R2C2’s new three-year strategic plan.

We first had the opportunity to work alongside R2C2 through CVNC’s Roseland Neighborhood Collective, and we’re glad to continue following and sharing their work. Help Executive Director, Steven Gates, mark the moment by RSVPing with the QR code on the flyer and sharing the event with someone who may want to join them.

Friday, October 2 | 1:00–3:00 PM
11406 S. Edbrooke Ave., Chicago

09/16/2026

09/16/2026

In light of the systemic barriers and challenges testing our democracy, what gives you hope?

That was the lingering question Mayor Lori Lightfoot posed to New York Times bestselling author Barbara McQuade during their fireside conversation about rebuilding our communities from the ground up.

It’s a question that has us reflecting on what we saw in the room that gives us hope.

It was in Chicago nonprofit leaders like Steven Gates, Executive Director of R2C2, speaking candidly about the victories, challenges, and persistence it takes to deepen and expand support for people in Roseland.

It was in people with different experiences coming together, listening to one another, and thinking seriously about what it takes to move forward.

And it was the reminder that big, systemic change is ultimately built neighborhood by neighborhood, by people who know their communities and show up for them every day.

We’re incredibly grateful to Taft Law, SPAAN Tech, Inc., Group, Michael Alvarez, Mimi & Tom LeClair, Carmen Rossi, and Joel Williamson for sponsoring this meaningful evening; to Erika Bracey for capturing it so beautifully; to Ignite Blue Partners for their event support; and to everyone who spent the evening with us.

Thank you for being part of a night that gave us even more reason to keep doing the work. ❤️

📸 Photo credit: Erika Bracey

09/03/2026

CVNC Client Spotlight: Meet One Lawndale Arts & Activism Incubator (OLAAI)

OLAAI is creating paid opportunities for Black and Brown youth to lead, create, and help shape their community through artivism, storytelling, racial healing, civic leadership, and community design.

Young people are compensated for the creativity, leadership, and lived experience they bring to the work—while building skills and using their voices to help shape the future of One Lawndale.

As part of CVNC’s North Lawndale Neighborhood Collective, OLAAI worked with our team through coaching and technical support tailored to its goals.

We love the way OLAAI is creating space for young people to lead through joy, healing, and collective action.

Learn more about OLAAI and the young artists, organizers, and changemakers behind the work: https://www.onelawndalearts.org/

OLAAI builds on past unification projects in North Lawndale and Little Village (South Lawndale) to create new power and real liberation for our communities by providing collaborative and brave facilitation, fresh thought-partnership, experienced leadership, racial healing towards black/brown solidar...

08/28/2026

💡 Funding Feed: Resources to Grow Neighborhood Impact

Does your organization bring arts and nature together to support community wellness? This opportunity may be for you.

Prince Charitable Trusts is accepting applications for Together We Flourish, a participatory grantmaking initiative supporting organizations and programs that advance wellness through the intersection of arts and nature.

Funding will support work aligned with one of two focus areas: Mind, Body, and Soil or Creative Placemaking and Placekeeping. Examples include community gardening, healing arts, movement and mindfulness, nature-based artmaking, community green spaces, public art, land-based learning, and performances.

A few things to know:

• Applicants must be Black-, Latine-, or Indigenous-serving and responsive to and rooted primarily in Chicago communities on the South and West Sides, or communities where Black or Latine people primarily live

• Current and previous fiscal year organizational budgets must be under $500,000

• Organizations without their own 501(c)(3) may apply with a fiscal sponsor

• Grants range from $5,000–$15,000 and are awarded for one year

• Organizations may submit one request for the funding year

Learn more and apply: https://princetrusts.org/togetherweflourish/

Supporting community-led efforts that advance wellness, belonging, and healing through arts, nature, and collective care.

08/10/2026

Still thinking about applying for CVNC’s next Neighborhood Collective? Consider this your nudge.

Our next Collective launches in just a few weeks, so now is the time to take that next step.

If you could use dedicated time and support to work on the behind-the-scenes pieces of running your nonprofit, while connecting with other leaders who understand the work, the Neighborhood Collective may be a good fit for you.

Take a look at what a previous Collective looked like, then take the next step. Complete your application today.

Apply here: https://wkf.ms/4fj9TG1

08/05/2026

A reflection on partnership, resilience, and what it takes to build lasting capacity in Chicago’s neighborhoods, we are proud to share our first-ever Impact Report, covering 2024 and 2025.

This report reflects the leadership and resilience of community-based organizations across Chicago’s South and West Sides — and what we’re learning about building strong systems that help their impact endure.

Inside the report, you’ll find:
- Stories of nonprofit leaders strengthening their organizations from the inside out
- Lessons from hundreds of hours of consulting and peer learning engagements
- Insights into what sustainable capacity building looks like in today’s environment
- Reflections from participants, technical experts, and partners across Chicago

Read the report: https://www.chivnc.org/impact

We are deeply grateful to the organizations, technical experts, partners, and supporters who make this work possible. Their leadership and trust continue to shape CVNC’s approach and strengthen Chicago one neighborhood at a time.

Help amplify the work of Chicago’s neighborhood-rooted organizations by sharing the report within your networks and on social media.

Our Impact Our first-ever Impact Report captures the story of the first two years of building stronger nonprofits and stronger neighborhoods. Inside, you'll find the milestones, partnerships, and stories that illustrate how investing in homegrown community organizations creates lasting impact across...

07/24/2026

📣 Applications are now open for the next CVNC Neighborhood Collective!

If you're part of a nonprofit organization serving Chicago's West Side, we'd love to hear from you.

The Neighborhood Collective is a six-month capacity-building program that brings nonprofit leaders together for expert-led workshops, peer learning, and individualized technical assistance focused on the operational work that supports their mission.

Eligible organizations must:
✔️ Be a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit in good standing
✔️ Have a physical headquarters located in and/or serve residents of Austin, East Garfield Park, West Garfield Park, Belmont Cragin/Hermosa, or North Lawndale
✔️ Have been operating since at least January 1, 2021
✔️ Have an annual operating budget of $500,000 or less

Priority consideration will be given to organizations located in or primarily serving North Lawndale.

Ready to apply? Submit your application here: https://wkf.ms/4fj9TG1

We look forward to welcoming the next Neighborhood Collective cohort!

07/24/2026

Not every nonprofit delivers direct services. Government research organizations, often with small staffs and modest budgets, play a vital role in our civic infrastructure by producing independent, evidence-based research that informs policymakers and communities alike. Yesterday, our Executive Director, Jaye Stapleton, had the opportunity to co-facilitate the Operations Innovation Exchange alongside David Schwab at the Government Research Association National Conference.

While nonprofits come in all shapes and sizes, one thing remains constant: stronger internal systems help us better serve our communities. That spirit of peer learning and continuous improvement made for a thoughtful and engaging conversation.

Thank you to Graham Silverman and the Civic Federation team for hosting, and to everyone who contributed their ideas and experiences. We left with new perspectives, practical insights, and renewed appreciation for the power of learning across organizations.

07/22/2026

📣 Calling all West Side Chicago nonprofit leaders!

Applications for CVNC's next Neighborhood Collective will be opening soon.

If your organization is located in or serves residents in one of our target West Side neighborhoods, we'd love for you to learn more about this opportunity.

Over six months, participants engage in expert-led workshops, peer learning, and individualized technical assistance focused on practical topics that support their day-to-day operations.

Eligible organizations must:
✔️ Be a registered 501(c)(3) in good standing
✔️ Be headquartered in or primarily serve one of CVNC's target West Side neighborhoods
✔️ Have been operating since at least January 1, 2021
✔️ Have an annual operating budget of $500,000 or less

Visit https://www.chivnc.org/cbo-application-intro to learn more, and follow our page so you'll be among the first to know when applications open.

We can't wait to meet the next Neighborhood Collective cohort!