Illinois Immigration Funders Collaborative (IFC)

Illinois Immigration Funders Collaborative (IFC) is sponsored by Illinois Bar Foundation (in collaboration with Chicago Community Trust and other grantmaking bodies). The IFC provides grant dollars to organizations serving immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.

# Illinois Immigration Funder Collaborative (IFC) - The Chicago Community Trust Skip to contentSkip to footer The Chicago Community Trust: Equity, Opportunity, Prosperity.

* Submit search Keyword search * Building Wealth &Well-Being * Addressing Critical Needs * Connecting Philanthropy to Impact * Partnerships &Initiatives * Local Impact & Ways to Give * Donor Engagement Opportunities * For Professional Advisors * Funds & Giving Vehicles * Submit search Keyword search Partnerships & Initiatives Sep 19 2025 # Illinois Immigration Funder Collaborative (IFC) The Illinois Immigration Funder Collaborative (IFC) is a grantmakers collaborative that awards funds to nonprofit organizations serving immigrants and refugees.

IFC funding prioritizes three areas: urgent immediate needs, legal assistance for individuals, and advocacy and organizing that advance immigrant rights and justice. ## **How IFC Helps Immigrant & Refugee Communities** Thanks to the generosity of our donors, IFC has so far directed more than $25 million to Illinois immigrant and refugee-serving community organizations.

Grantmaking foundations, donor advised funds, and individual givers pool resources to maximize impact. With deep knowledge of issues facing the immigrant community, IFC collectively selects effective organizations with a track record of high-quality, low-cost service and successful public policy advocacy. These organizations have been central to our state’s historic humanitarian welcome of newcomers.

> _“Through the power of its collective effort, IFC works in partnership with organizations across the state that advance immigrants and refugees by making sustained financial commitments year to year as well as responding to emerging opportunities and challenges. We have been deeply rewarded by the expertise, urgency, and practicality reflected in IFC’s grantmaking.

”_ > _Contributor / Donor Advised Fund (DAF) Holder_ ## How IFC Selects Grant Recipient Partners IFC carefully vets funding requests for sustained support and emergency needs. We review mission and purpose, activities and goals, and financial standing. We support long-established and newer grassroots organizations, so our screening is informed by hallmarks of organizational development at different life stages.

Our goals are to help sustain a vibrant network of organizations through our Core grants fund, and to be responsive to urgent needs with Special Initiative grants for organizations capable of having immediate impact. In addition to providing resources to Chicago’s many immigrant justice organizations, IFC directs dollars throughout Illinois.

IFC works to develop connections characterized by respect and receptiveness with our funding partners and our grant recipient partners. > _“You have built trust with us over time. IFC’s processes are not burdensome.

You have a comprehensive view of immigration and IFC is funding qualified applicants. You know us and trust us. ”_ > _IFC Grant Recipient Partner_ ## **How IFC Can Help You** **IFC is an effective and efficient funder.

** With more than a decade’s experience, IFC knows the immigrant justice landscape. We have built sturdy relationships with leaders across the Chicago region and the state. We provide support over time and rapidly deploy crisis resources.

IFC serves as an informal advisor to other grantmakers and learns from and with its colleagues. A full 95 percent of dollars contributed to IFC go to community grants. _**“Why collaborate?

Pooling dollars increases funding. Working together means learning. Showing community organizations that multiple donors support them is solidarity.

”**-Alice Cottingham, IFC Project Manager_ **If you are interested in getting involved as a funding partner, please contact [[email protected]](https://www. cct. org/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5d34333b321d3e3e2973322f3a).

** Supporting essential service organizations that are addressing the most basic and immediate needs of individuals and families across our region.

* Partnerships & Initiatives ### Trusted Voices: Reimagining How We Meet Critical Needs Across the region, households are struggling to make ends meet amid rising costs, changes in federal policies and social service programs, and funding… ### Building Housing Stability in Chicago: What We’re Learning and Funding Apr 15 2026 by Joanne Otte A new report from Housing Action Illinois and the National Low Income Housing Coalition finds our region is short 225,000 affordable rental units… ### How Restricted Funds Can Support Chicago’s Creative Community For many donors, a love of the arts is deeply personal, shaped by formative experiences in classrooms, concert halls, neighborhood theaters, and community… Name Please enter full name Email Address Please enter a valid email address General Trust Newsletter - [x] ## EQUITY.

OPPORTUNITY. PROSPERITY. The Chicago Community Trust works to build a Chicago region where equity is central—and opportunity and prosperity are in reach for all.

Grants from the Trust’s endowment are limited to organizations based in or primarily serving Cook County. The Chicago Community Trust: Equity, Opportunity, Prosperity. [[email protected]](https://www.

cct. org/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection) * Building Wealth & Well-Being * Addressing Critical Needs * Connecting Philanthropy to Impact * Partnerships & Initiatives * Local Impact & Ways to Give * Donor Engagement Opportunities * For Professional Advisors