Our Philosophy

Chicago Beyond amplifies the impact of solutions driven by those closest to the issues. We aim to notice, relate, and work differently, both as a funder and as a partner to those we invest in. By consistently applying these practices, we recenter humanity in philanthropy and all that we do.

Noticing differently

Widen perspective

Deepening our understanding of social challenges, root causes, and sources of strength

Prioritize proximity

Prioritizing proximity in evaluating who we choose to invest in

Elevate learning

Increasing the value that we assign to learning and iteration

Relating differently

Share power

Establishing more equitable power dynamics in inherently inequitable systems

Build trust

Cultivating meaningful relationships built on reciprocity and mutual respect

Honor healing

Taking intentional actions to support the health and wellness of our partners

Working Differently

Simplify process

Simplifying grantmaking processes to reduce administrative burden for partners

Go beyond funding

Making flexible, catalytic investments paired with strategic supports beyond funding

Measure what matters

Leveraging diverse data to better understand our work’s impact on human lives

- Proximity
  Do organizational leaders have lived experiences and meaningful proximity to the issue they are working to improve?
- Impact
  What are the quantitative and qualitative impact signals from the work, and are these rooted in the voices of community members?
- Accountability
  How is the organization accountable to the people it supports, and does it have pathways for community members to impact decisions?
- Undervalued ideas
  Has the organization received less access to resources relative to the scale of what they are working to achieve, and how might significant funding enhance their work?
- Systemic potential
  With sufficient resources, how might this organization's work influence a shift in how systems operate?

Proximity
Do organizational leaders have lived experiences and meaningful proximity to the issue they are working to improve?
Impact
What are the quantitative and qualitative impact signals from the work, and are these rooted in the voices of community members?
Accountability
How is the organization accountable to the people it supports, and does it have pathways for community members to impact decisions?
Undervalued ideas
Has the organization received less access to resources relative to the scale of what they are working to achieve, and how might significant funding enhance their work?
Systemic potential
With sufficient resources, how might this organization's work influence a shift in how systems operate?

“As a small, grassroots organization providing mental health services, Centro Sanar doesn’t have the same connections or access to funding that longer standing organizations have. With funding from Chicago Beyond, we have been able to grow our programming, innovate, and attempt to meet needs.”
Edwin Martinez, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Centro Sanar
"Their compassion is refreshing and makes me feel energized and charged, every time we connect there is a burst of energy. It lets me take off my cape and reflect."
Asiaha Butler, Co-Founder and CEO, Resident Association of Greater Englewood
“Chicago Beyond was among the first foundations to fund our grassroots organizing and as an early partner in our work, they have watched us grow to become a nationally recognized Latinx organization.”
Antonio Santos, Executive Director, Gage Park Latinx Council

Explore Chicago Beyond

Investments
Making catalytic investments to increase the impact of solutions led by those closest to the issues

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Initiatives

Leading national initiatives in partnership with diverse changemakers to challenge and reshape the status quo

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Insights
Sharing insights to disrupt and reimagine “systems as usual” and drive equitable funding, practices, and policies

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