African American Legacy – Affinity Funds (Community Wealth Building, and Community Care & Mobilization)

African American Legacy – Affinity Funds (Community Wealth Building, and Community Care & Mobilization) is sponsored by The Chicago Community Trust. This funding opportunity supports Black-led organizations focused on community wealth building, mobilization, and care in the Chicago region.

African American Legacy - The Chicago Community Trust Advancing philanthropy and empowerment in the African American community since 2003. Photo: Current Members of African American Legacy, 2026. 2026 Request for Proposals African American Legacy (AAL) is pleased to announce its 2026 Request for Proposals in now open.

This year, AAL has two funding programs: (1) Community Wealth Building, and (2) Community Care & Mobilization. Please see the linked RFP below for more details and to determine which funding program is eligible for your organization. The RFP opens on Monday, March 23, 2026 and closes on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at 11:59 p.

m. CDT. Incomplete and/or late applications will not be considered for review.

An information session was held on Thursday, April 2, 2026. Click here to view the recording . To assist grant applicants with the process, AAL Grants Consultant Consuella Brown will be hosting a series of peer clinics to provide tips on completing specific parts of the application.

The schedule and topics for the sessions are below. Please email aal@cct. org or save this link if you are interested in joining these sessions.

Because of the intended participatory nature of these sessions, these info sessions will not be recorded. 4/7/26 at 10:00 a. m.

CDT: Budget & Financials 4/15/26 at 12:00 p. m. CDT: Community Wealth Building 4/23/26 at 2:00 p.

m. CDT: Program Narrative 4/27/26 at 12:00 p. m.

CDT: Open Hours Since its founding in 2003 as an initiative of The Chicago Community Trust, African American Legacy (AAL) has granted nearly $4 million to numerous nonprofit organizations with innovative ideas for impact. AAL provides support to nonprofit organizations that work at the grassroots level to educate and engage communities, and to provide neighborhood-based services and solutions addressing community problems.

Natashia Holmes, Chair Keith Lewis Steven Shaw, Vice Chair Jawanza Malone Kim Casey, Immediate Past Chair Renee Marongwe Elisa Davis Kafi Moragne-Patterson Janice Evans Britney Robbins Glenn Eden Claude Robinson Patrick Hendricks Mironda Ross Joel Johnson Shawn Smith-Robinson Dennis Lacewell Sarah Ware Channing Lenert Professionals with a wide range of experience across numerous industries comprise the Advisory Board.

Board members actively participate in community engagement, donor cultivation, and grant making activities.

Brenda Asare Graham Grady Daniel Ash Marguerite Griffin Claudette Baker Suzanne Griffith Troy Boyd, Jr. Deborah Harrington Andreason Brown Loann Honesty King Kim Casey Diane Latiker Julian Coleman Sequane Lawrence Carol Crenshaw Robert McGhee Amina Dickerson Mary Patillo Rebecca Ford-Terry Shawnelle Richie Denise Gardner Baronica Roberson Corliss Garner Melody Spann-Cooper Life Directors are individuals who have rendered exemplary service in advancing the goals of African American Legacy, with special consideration given to former Advisory Board members.

The Trust is a community foundation that is dedicated to ensuring opportunity and prosperity are within reach for everyone in our region. As a charitable community, we know that many of our communities have been historically under-resourced, including by philanthropy. The African American Legacy Fund is a group of donors who seek opportunities to address those historic gaps, which will help strengthen the entire Chicago region.

When our neighbors do better, we all do better. African American Legacy activates an engaged network of community leaders who share the common goal of improving the quality of life of African Americans in Chicago through the power of collective giving, community engagement, and grant making. To stay up-to-date with the work of African American Legacy, please complete an interest form to receive future communications from Affinity Funds.

Affinity funds are groups of donors united by a shared heritage, identity, or common interest. They offer an efficient way to support a specific group of people and the nonprofits that aid them by leveraging contributions through collective giving.