Community Investments
We invest strategically in resident-led organizations on Chicago’s South and West Sides to strengthen community power and support lasting change at the neighborhood level.
For nearly ten years, the Field Foundation has prioritized its grantmaking on Chicago’s South and West Sides, guided by an ongoing analysis of quality-of-life factors indicating areas of greatest need. Our funding has supported the extraordinary work residents are doing in these neighborhoods.
In July 2026, we launched our Community Investments portfolio. This portfolio is an evolution of our social justice work and reflects our deepened commitment to resident-led organizations. As part of a four-year pilot to learn and evaluate the impact of our work in this portfolio, we are making an inaugural $1 million Community Investments grant—the largest in Field Foundation history—to the Resident Association of Greater Englewood (R.A.G.E.) We have partnered with R.A.G.E. since 2019, and their impact speaks for itself.
Over the past 15 years, R.A.G.E. members have proven that when residents lead, communities thrive. R.A.G.E. exemplifies the organizations this portfolio intends to support: resident-led and deeply rooted in community with a clear and actionable agenda, strong ecosystem partnerships, sound financial stewardship, and a track record of turning what residents care about into tangible change. We look forward to partnering and learning with R.A.G.E. over the next four years and driving lasting change for the residents of Englewood.
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Strategic Partnership
Through Community Investments, we are moving from being a funder to being a strategic partner — bringing dollars, knowledge, relationships, and political capital to the table, not just financial support. It’s a conscious departure from transactional grantmaking: We’re not simply funding programs; we’re investing in communities to create lasting power and transformational change.
During a four-year pilot of this portfolio, we will invest in R.A.G.E. and a small number of partners with the aim of building deeper, sustained relationships.
Our goal is to expand our Community Investments portfolio to more communities in the future — R.A.G.E. is just the beginning of this story.
Learn more in this blog from Dr. Jasmine Benjamin, Program Officer for Community Investments.
Investing in resident-led organizations on Chicago’s South & West Sides
Strengthening community power and supporting transformational change at the neighborhood level
Building strategic partnerships for lasting impact
Converting long-time residents into first-time homeowners through the “Buy the Block” program
Revitalizing the economic and physical landscape in Englewood through “The Re-Up at 59th & Racine”
Transforming a shuttered school into environmentally sustainable, affordable housing with a job training facility through “The Regenerator,” a collaboration between R.A.G.E., Teamwork Englewood, the Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN), and E.G. Woode
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have questions about our Community Investments portfolio? Learn more in this blog from Dr. Jasmine Benjamin, Program Officer for Community Investments. Or read our Frequently Asked Questions document.
Residents should be funded to thrive —not just survive—and execute the vision for their community.
