Who We Are
The Field Foundation of Illinois is a private, independent goundation tht supports community power building in Chicago through strategic investments in civic infrastructure, the creative sector, local news outlets and organizers. Through its grantmaking, the foundation collaborates with funding partners to distribute more than $10 million annually to organizations and leaders working in geographic priority areas, with a focus on the city’s South and West Sides.
Field’s grants and awards are made more substantial through key strategic partnerships, including the John D . and Catherine T . MacArthur Foundation, which generously supports the Leaders for a New Chicago Award, a collaboration between Field and MacArthur, as well as Field’s Journalism & Storytelling grantmaking.
Additionally, the Democracy Fund, the Chicago Community Trust, and the Ford Foundation have generously contributed to Field’s work in Journalism & Storytelling with the goal of creating a more equitable, connected, and inclusive local media ecosystem.
The Field Foundation’s leadership, board, and staff remain committed to measuring the foundation’s impact, especially within its geographi priority areaas.
Vision. Mission. Values.
Our Vision: We seek to catalyze community transformation through strategic philanthropic investments.
Our Mission: Investing in Chicago’s civic infrastructure, creative sector, local news outlets, and organizers to support community power building..
Our Core Values: Our core values of service and impact define who we are, shape our interactions with stakeholders, and guide our strategy and actions.:
Service: We prioritize community wellbeing and serve with a commitment to trust, transparency, respect, equity, and kindness.
Impact: We serve as a strategic partner, operating with mutual accountability for community-defined goals and driving positive, measurable results.