Leaders for a New Chicago is a grant from the MacArthur Foundation that funds community-based, grassroots leaders in Chicago who are redefining civic leadership and reimagining the city's future. Administered in collaboration with the Field Foundation, the award recognizes eight nonprofit leaders working in arts, justice, and media and storytelling sectors. The program brings new voices, creativity, and innovation into the systems that shape Chicago. Eligible applicants are individuals leading organizations in these sectors in Chicago; nominations are accepted annually. Each recipient receives $50,000 per year for three years of unrestricted support.

Research and Development Grants from the AIA (American Institute of Architects) Foundation fund applied architectural research that advances design knowledge and professional practice. The Foundation administers several programs: the Upjohn Research Initiative ($15,000-$30,000 for 6-18 month projects), the Latrobe Prize ($150,000 biennial award for two-year research), and the Richard Morris Hunt Prize ($20,000 fellowship for historic preservation research). Eligible applicants include architects, researchers, nonprofits, and architecture faculty. Projects must produce publishable outcomes advancing the profession.

Community Development Grants - Small is sponsored by City of Chicago, Department of Planning and Development (DPD). Community Development Grants (CDG) support eligible commercial, mixed-use, and light manufacturing projects, helping to pay for new construction or building renovation. Grants provide funding for up to 75% of total eligible project costs.

Architecture, Urbanism, and Design Program is a grant from The New York Community Trust that funds nonprofits and academic departments working at the intersection of urban planning, architecture, and design in New York, Long Island, Westchester, and surrounding regions. The program supports organizations that advance equitable, innovative approaches to the built environment, including community design initiatives and urban sustainability projects. Eligible applicants include registered nonprofits and academic programs with a demonstrated focus on architecture or urban design. Awards typically range from $25,000 to $150,000. The Trust distributes approximately $50 million annually through its competitive grants program, which draws from hundreds of donor-advised funds with varying priorities.

MacArthur Foundation Culture, Equity, and the Arts (Chicago) is a grant from the MacArthur Foundation that funds unrestricted general operating support for arts and cultural organizations in Chicago. The program advances racial equity and community inclusion through multi-year grants of $55,000 to $80,000 per year, typically for three years, directly to organizations with annual budgets above $1 million. Smaller organizations are supported through regranting partners. Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) nonprofits based in Chicago whose missions serve Chicago audiences, with self-governing boards and independent audits. Grants provide flexible funding to help organizations maintain stability, pursue new artistic directions, and plan for the future.

Chicago Fund for Safe and Peaceful Communities (PSPC Chicago Fund) is sponsored by Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities (coalition of 50+ funders). Rapid-response grants supporting community-led youth and family programs that build community cohesion, provide safe spaces, promote peace, and reduce violence in Chicago's 24 priority neighborhoods on South and West Sides.