One Chicago invests in local heroes who are tackling challenges and amplifying positives in Chicago’s 77+ proud, diverse neighborhoods.

Welcome to the One Chicago Fund

Working with residents, our support helps strengthen neighborhoods.

 

 

Ringing in 2023 with fun on the ice

We kicked off 2023 by taking to the ice for the My CHI. My Future. (MCMF) Winter Kickback Series‘ culminating party. Held at the Maggie Daley Park ice-skating ribbon, the event celebrated 125 MCMF youth and adult leaders (representing one dozen community organizations) for their hard work in planning Winter Kickback events on the south and west sides.
 
Just before the Winter Break, we cheered on the chess team of Ella Flagg Young Elementary as they participated in the National Chess Grade Championship in Maryland, one of the nation’s toughest national academic chess tournaments. The only elementary school representing Chicago Public Schools and Illinois, these first-timers placed 22nd… holding their rank among the Top 25 in the nation!
 
Also in December, outstanding city employees were recognized for their service and dedication during the City of Chicago’s Kathy Osterman Awards. OCF’s Lynn Lockwood also received special recognition from Mayor Lori Lightfoot for her behind-the-scenes hard work to help make the city a better place.
 
 

Another unBOOlievable Halloweek in Chicago

In October, hundreds of residents kicked off Halloweek on a sunny Saturday afternoon in Washington Park for the third annual Upside Down parade featuring spooktacular dance, musical and theatrical performances from Chicago’s premiere groups. The week of fun included activities at neighborhood parks and local libraries; then, culminated with the Arts in the Dark parade along State Street.

 

2nd Summer Kickback Series puts teens in the drivers’ seat for event planning and execution

For 15 south and west side communities, Friday nights were alive with safe, free, fun events designed by teens for teens. During the 2022 Summer Kickback Series, participants enjoyed water games and board games, poetry slams and local deejays, e-gaming and paint parties, as well as food and treats from neighborhood eateries. This year’s series expanded to include Saturday night fun, “Low-Key Kickbacks” that also featured steppers and break-dancers, selfie stations, COVID-19 vaccinations and more.

The Summer Kickback Series was co-hosted by Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and First Lady Amy Eshleman, the Chicago Park District, Amazon, a host of City agencies, and the following 15 community organizations: CAPs, Teamwork Englewood, Gary Comer Youth Center, Firehouse Community Art Center, CHI-RISE, BUILD, Inc., Girls Inc., The Base, Breakthrough Ministries, Lost Boyz, Project Exploration, Agape Werks, Inc., Allianc 98, Phalanx, and New Eclipse.

 

 

The BUILDing continues in Austin

Take a tour of the BUILD Chicago’s new headquarters (scheduled to open in 2023) and hear community youth share their perspectives on what this community gem means to them.

 

 

 

 

 

Honoring Heroes Who Help Neighborhoods Soar

Celebrating 28 years of community and partnerships, LISC Chicago hosted its annual Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards, this summer. The event highlighted the efforts of people, organizations and community development corporations for outstanding achievements in real estate development and community building efforts that enrich local neighborhoods. Congratulations to the following 2022 honorees who you can learn more about by viewing the awards ceremony via the link above:

Valerio Dewalt Train & Media-Objectives for Ford Calumet Environmental Center
-1st Place – The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Award for Architectural Excellence in Community Design

North Lawndale: The Next Chapter (led by the North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council) 
-The Chicago Community Trust Outstanding Community Plan Award

North Lawndale Employment Network Campus
-The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Outstanding Non-Profit Neighborhood Real Estate Development Award

 Culver’s – Pullman (Baron Waller & Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives)
-The For-Profit Real Estate Development Award

IMAN Food and Wellness Center
-The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Healthy Community Award

The Resurrection Project for Casa Veracruz
-The Polk Bros Foundation Affordable Rental Housing Preservation Award

Empowering Communities for Public Safety Coalition for the Empowering Communities for Public Safety Ordinance
-Wood Fund Chicago Power of Community Award

Borderless Studios for Creative Grounds at Anthony Overton Incubator
-The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Creative Placemaking Award

Dalia Aragon
-CIBC Emerging Leadership Award

 

 

 

Oh, what a night: BUILD Chicago gala shines light on local youth and supporters.

Kudos to the entire BUILD Chicago team for a wonderful gala full of great music, deserving award presentations and touching testimonials. Using the musical theme of “Westside Story,” the evening opened with songs that shared BUILD’s story of helping west side youth escape gangs, overcome trauma and achieve positive futures.

The event continued with award presentations celebrating BUILD’s 2022 honorees – including One Chicago Fund board member, J. Thomas Hurvis, who was received the BUILDer For Life award. Then, attendees provided standing ovations to two youth BUILDers and BUILD’s first distinguished alumni who shared moving testimonials about their respective journeys to creating better futures.

Next up for BUILD Chicago: the grand opening of its new multi-million dollar headquarters.

 

 

My CHI. My Future. launches new mobile app that keeps youth connected

For teens looking to access resources such as employment, seasonal or community-based programs and events, there’s an app for that! The first-of-its-kind My CHI. My Future. mobile app  provides a custom experience for teens and youth-serving organizations to connect with safe, enriching out-of-school opportunities based on the user’s age, interests and location.

Available on all smartphone app stores, the app is the result of a public-private collaboration with Chicago’s civic departments, philanthropic, corporate and community organizations, as well as consultation and critical feedback from teens.

 

About Us

Since 2011, from Maggie Daley Park to North Lawndale housing and beyond, One Chicago Fund supports organizations through sweat equity and direct investments.

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Our Mission

We celebrate and support Chicagoans
championing healthy neighborhoods.

Dedicated to Chicago, we strive to improve the daily experiences of residents through coordinated investments – primarily for affordable housing, public safety, open space, education, arts & culture and immigration – to strengthen and grow the city’s neighborhoods.

Our Team

Lynn Lockwood

Lynn Lockwood

Vice President & Board Director

Sarah Pang

Sarah Pang

President & Board Director

Katrina Waddy

Katrina Waddy

Director, Community Engagement & Communications

Board of Directors

Trisha Rooney, Chair

Founder and CEO of R4 Services, LLC, an information management company

Terry Peterson, Vice Chair

Chief Executive Officer, Progressive Treatment Solutions

Robert Kohl, Secretary/Treasurer

Founder & Principle of Robert Kohl & Co., a development and real estate company

J. Thomas Hurvis, Director

Founder and former chairman of Old World Industries, a global powerhouse for the automotive, chemical and agriculture industries

Bernard Lilly, Jr, Director

Music Education Coordinator for BUILD Chicago and founder of Sunday Sessions Chi, a talent showcase platform

 

Tim Schwertfeger, Director

Founder of the Chicago Scholars Foundation; former Chairman/CEO of Nuveen Investments

Neighborhood Heroes, Partners & Connections

Neighborhood heroes and partners include residents, community organizations, businesses and elected officials – all connected by a shared vision of a one Chicago and striving for a better future. Take a glimpse at a growing list of the heroes we celebrate, support and have connected with along the way.

Access Living
American Business Immigration Council
Austin Coming Together
Austin/Farmers Market
Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council
Ballet Folklorica
Center for Changing Lives
Chicago Architecture Biennial
Chicago Park District
Chinese American Service League
City of Chicago
Claretian Associates
DCASE
Earle STEM Academy Chess Club
Far South Community Development Corporation
Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation
Tina Hammond/community garden
Hope Community Church
La Case Norte
Lakeview Pantry
Latinos Progresando
Lawndale Community Development Corporation
Lincoln Park Zoo
LISC Chicago
Marshall Square

Contact Us

For additional information or to connect with the One Chicago Fund, please contact us at info@theonechicagofund.org, 312-894-3455; or send us a note.

Mailing Address
4044 N. Lincoln Avenue, #261
Chicago, IL 60618


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