Field Foundation Awards $1M to 38 Local
Organizations
The Field Foundation proudly announces its Fall 2020 grantees. In this grant cycle, 118 organizations applied for consideration; in September, 38 were selected representing slightly more than $1 million in support. The majority of these grants were awarded to organizations that are located in and/or focused on communities highlighted in Field’s heat map. Most are ALAANA-led organizations (African, Latinx, Asian, Arab, and Native American).
Many, like Chicago United for Equity and Arts Alliance Illinois, are returning grantees whose missions and work we find it essential to continue supporting. Others, like The Chicago Crusader newspaper, are first-time grantees who are further deepening Field’s commitment to a robust Media & Storytelling portfolio that is expanding the communications landscape in Chicago.
Congratulations to all of our Fall 2020 grantees. We remain inspired by their bold vision and deeply connected work.
Justice
Our Justice portfolio focuses on systemic intervention work led by ALAANA (African, Latinx, Asian, Arab and Native American) organizers working in communities across Chicago. Note the work this round we are honored to support in affordable housing, immigration, and bond reform. In this area, Field awarded 12 organizations.
Chicago Area Fair Housing Alliance
Resident Association of Greater Englewood
Little Village Environmental Justice Organization
Kenwood Oakland Community Organization
Organized Communities Against Deportations
Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights
Art
Center for Cultural Innovation
Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center
Africa International House USA, Inc.
Media & Storytelling
Henry Williams Love Foundation
North Lawndale Historical and Cultural Society
Voices from the Field
Phillip Hummer
Phillip Hummer, Field Foundation Life Director
“Looking back, the Field Foundation has a tradition of fostering good people for board and staff positions to bring the foundation to its fullest potential. It has been fortunate to have Marshall Field’s dedication and guiding spirit from day one. Based on its record of enlightened grantmaking and innovation with changing times, I am confident that Field’s positive influence on the city of Chicago will continue to grow.”
Grantee Spotlight
Rami Nashashibi
Rami Nashashibi with album collaborator Drea N’Dur. Courtesy of Nashashibi
Field Foundation Grantee, South Side community organizer, and founding director of Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN) Rami Nashashibi is making his debut as musician, songwriter and executive producer of the album This LOVE Thing. A collaboration between Nashashibi and Buffalo, NY organizer Drea D’Nur being released October 23, This LOVE Thing blends different musical styles, genres, and faith influences. At least a half-dozen other artists, many of whom have worked in organizing and artistic circles with Nashashibi for years, are also included in the project. The single Mama Please invokes the memory and final words of George Floyd and is considered a powerful voice for this moment.
In a recent interview with Vocalo about community-engaged art as a creative outlet to promote social change, Nashashibi said: “At IMAN, we have always seen art as a way to radically reimagine the world as it could be in our community, and as a profound force to connect the disconnected.”
Nashashibi, a 2017 recipient of the MacArthur Foundation “Genius” grant, and 2018 Opus Prize Laureate said he hopes to present This LOVE Thing to live audiences in a multicity tour in 2021.
