Rapid Response Fund

Chicago Beyond’s Rapid Response Fund quickly delivers unrestricted grants to hyperlocal organizations and individuals with solutions for their own communities. Our investments in those closest to the issues strengthen partners’ wide-ranging work, including employment services, food security, re-entry supports, LGBTQIA+ safe spaces, art classes, environmental justice, wellness, and more. Our Rapid Response Fund began in 2021 as an evolution of our COVID-19 response initiative, through which we provided tens of thousands of families with basic necessities during the pandemic.

Rapid Response Fund Impact

$9.4M
Since 2020, Chicago Beyond has distributed $9.4M in Rapid Response funding.
91%
91% of Rapid Response Fund grants have been made toward BIPOC-led organizations.
190
Chicago Beyond has distributed grants to 190 Rapid Response Fund partners.

“As we gained more funding, anything we got came with restrictions, until Chicago Beyond’s award. It’s freedom and less of a stressor. It enables us to put more time into building and sustaining relationships with others."
Jarvis Buchanan, Founder and Director, Legacy Disciples: Hood Heroes
“Grants can be very programmatic. With one, I can’t even buy someone a biscuit. With Chicago Beyond’s grant, I can feed people when they attend programs. Other grants don’t think of the social aspect that sharing food and breaking bread together builds community.”
Celia Colon, Founder, Giving Others Dreams (G.O.D.)
"With the unrestricted award, we are reaching out to more BIPOC disabled folks of color and organizations that share our vision. We also have constant access to resources such as plain language materials, ASL interpreters, and live captioning. We wouldn’t have done it without the support of Chicago Beyond."
TIMOTHEUS “T.J. GORDON, JR. AND JAE JIN PAK, CO-FOUNDERS CHICAGOLAND DISABLED PEOPLE OF COLOR COALITION