Angélica Chavez to assume new role at community-based organization in Chicago
January 12, 2024
CONTACT:
Maria McCandless
Communications Lead
Field Foundation of Illinois
(312) 560-0004
mmccandless@fieldfoundation.org
CHICAGO – The Field Foundation of Illinois announced today that Angélica Chavez, senior program officer for its Justice portfolio, will depart the foundation, effective January 19, 2024, for a new opportunity at a community-based organization in Chicago. Her new role will be announced in late January.
Since joining the foundation in August 2018, Chavez has evolved Field’s grantmaking in the racial and social justice space, supporting organizations working to address the root causes of inequity and systemic racism through community organizing, advocacy, and policy change.
“We appreciate Angélica’s many contributions to the Field Foundation and, particularly, her commitment to and advocacy for our grantee partners and their tireless work serving community members directly impacted by inequities,” said Field Foundation Chief Operating Officer Mark Murray. “We wish her the very best in her next role and look forward to the impact she will make working directly in community.”
Chavez, whose roots are in community organizing, said spending time in community—specifically during the COVID-19 pandemic and the racial uprisings following the murder of George Floyd—helped shape Field’s community-centered approach to funding grantees in the Justice portfolio.
“I was able to see firsthand, and in conversation with folks, how much organizing lends itself to long-term systemic change, whether it’s at the hyperlocal level or at the citywide level,” Chavez said. “I’ve been really honored to help steward the Justice portfolio to be responsive directly to what we are hearing from community.”
The Field Foundation will not seek to fill Chavez’s position until the organization completes a review of its operating model in the coming months, Murray said. He emphasized there will be no disruption to Field’s grantmaking in the Justice portfolio and that interested organizations can learn more here.
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About the Field Foundation
The Field Foundation of Illinois is a private and independent foundation that, along with its strategic partners, distributes more than $6.5 million in grants to organizations working to address systemic issues in Chicago’s most divested communities. With racial and social equity at the center of its giving, the Field Foundation directs dollars to grantmaking in the areas of Art, Journalism & Storytelling, Justice, and Leadership Investment. Learn more at www.fieldfoundation.org.