Polk Bros. Foundation

We are thrilled to announce the appointment of James Fawley as our new vice president of investments and administration.

“I am very excited to join the Polk Bros. Foundation at such an important time in its history. In these volatile, uncertain times, the Foundation’s mission has never been more critical and I look forward to supporting our team and Board to make Chicago a place where all people have the opportunity to reach their full potential,” said James.

Please join us in welcoming James to Polk Bros. Foundation!

Read the full update. https://www.polkbrosfdn.org/polk-bros-foundation-welcomes-james-fawley-as-vice-president-of-investments-and-administration/

This September, after 15 years with the Foundation, Vice President of Investments and Administration Amy Hill will retire.

"Amy’s stewardship of the Foundation’s resources has paved the way for grantmaking that makes a real difference in people’s lives. And her efforts to help streamline the Foundation’s processes have made, and will keep making, the application experience easier and more equitable for our grantee partners. We will miss Amy and her strategic guidance greatly, and wish her well as she starts her next chapter,” said Polk Bros. Foundation CEO Gillian Darlow.

From all of us at Polk Bros. Foundation: Amy, thank you for the compassion and leadership you share with our team and with Chicago. We hope your upcoming retirement brings you so much joy and fulfillment! ❤️

Read the full update: https://polkbrosfdn.org/polk-bros-foundation-vice-president-of-investments-and-administration-amy-hill-will-retire-in-september/

Polk Bros. Foundation is hiring two program assistants! If you're detail-oriented and thrive in a collaborative environment, we want to hear from you. Come work with us and our partners toward a vision of Chicago where all people can reach their full potential.

More at: https://www.polkbrosfdn.org/program-assistant-position-announcement/

Memorial Day is approaching, and while many in Chicago typically brace for an anticipated surge in shootings, grassroots organizations in areas hardest hit by gun violence are proactively planning ways to bring neighbors together to help make their communities safer this summer and early fall.

We're excited to announce the 2024 PSPC Chicago Fund grant recipients:

Chicago Grassroots Take Action to Help Prevent Summer Violence - PSPC $1.9M in grants will support nearly 250 community-led summer and fall programs in Chicago neighborhoods hardest hit by gun violence CHICAGO — Memorial Day is approaching, and while many in Chicago typically brace for an anticipated surge in shootings, many grassroots organizations in areas hardest...

This week, we had the privilege of sitting down with Polk Bros. Foundation Senior Program Officer Debbie Reznick to reflect on her impactful journey, the invaluable lessons she's learned, and the enduring hope she carries forward.

https://www.polkbrosfdn.org/a-conversation-with-debbie-reznick-as-she-bids-farewell-to-polk-bros-foundation/

Debbie, you have been a cornerstone of our team for over 20 years — and we will miss you SOOOO much. Your joy and love, your creative problem solving and your thoughtful approach to asking tough questions has helped shape our work – now and well into the future.

(Scroll through to enjoy some special moments from Debbie's farewell celebration!)

Cara Plus - RFI - Cara Collective As we seek to build a national network of workforce experts and practitioners, we want to hear from you! Please complete this short survey.

"All of us at Polk Bros. Foundation are thrilled to congratulate Sendy Soto on her appointment as Chicago's first-ever Chief Homelessness Officer. 🎉 Sendy's passion, leadership, and expertise will be critical to driving lasting solutions to homelessness in Chicago — solutions that are grounded in racial and housing justice,” said Polk Bros. Foundation Senior Program Officer Debbie Reznick. “We are grateful Sendy has taken on this responsibility and look forward to working together.”

Mayor Brandon Johnson Announces Sendy Soto as City’s First Chief Homelessness Officer CHICAGO – Today, Mayor Brandon Johnson announced the appointment of Sendy Soto as the City of Chicago’s first Chief Homelessness Officer (CHO). Soto will be tasked with coordinating across City departments and sister agencies and developing a five-year plan to address the homelessness crisis i...

Polk Bros. Foundation is hiring! The Vice President of Investments and Administration is the Foundation's top financial and administrative position with responsibility for overall financial management, formulating financial policy and plans, investment oversight, human resources, and other administrative responsibilities.

Come work with us and our partners toward a vision of Chicago where all people can reach their full potential. https://www.polkbrosfdn.org/who-we-are-329/vice-president-of-investments-and-administration/

📣 Deadline approaching 📣

Are you organizing summer and fall activities to promote safety & peace in Chicago? Grassroots organizations can apply by Wednesday, March 6 for a grant of up to $10,000 from Safe and Peaceful Chi’s Chicago Fund. Details at: https://safeandpeaceful.org/1-million-in-grants-available-for-grassroots-organizations-in-24-chicago-neighborhoods-experiencing-most-violence/

$1 Million in Grants Available for Grassroots Organizations in 24 Chicago Neighborhoods Experiencing Most Violence - PSPC The Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities’ 2024 Chicago Fund will award at least $1 million in grants of up to $10,000 to support community-led efforts that make neighborhoods safer CHICAGO — A Chicago-based coalition of funders called the Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities (P...

Polk Bros. Foundation will soon welcome Anna Lee (in mid-June) and Katie Rondeau Weinheimer (in mid-March) to our team. We’re excited to introduce both of them here, and also share news about the promotion of our colleague, JC Aevaliotis! Read more: https://www.polkbrosfdn.org/polk-bros-foundation-announces-two-strategic-staff-appointments-and-celebrates-a-promotion/

“Polk Bros. Foundation’s commitment to Chicago and its residents demands that we do more to help confront systemic racism head on. It has become apparent that we cannot help achieve the kind of change we’re all seeking for Chicago without a deeper focus on fundamentally changing the conditions that uphold racial injustice and cause racial disparities.”

Read more about Polk Bros. Foundation’s ongoing journey to adopt racial equity more explicitly and comprehensively in our work in Gillian Darlow’s latest blog post.

https://www.polkbrosfdn.org/is-the-change-were-all-seeking-for-chicago-within-reach/

Are you receiving news from Polk Bros. Foundation, the latest stories from our blog and what our grantee partners are saying about what matters most for Chicago?

Join the list now to receive our newsletter and other important updates: https://ow.ly/bI5N50QGfz7

Applications for the 2024 PSPC Chicago Fund are now open! Know of someone organizing a summer or early fall project to promote neighborhood peace and safety in Chicago? They might qualify for up to $10,000 in grants.

The deadline to apply is March 6, 2024. Learn more at

$1 Million in Grants Available for Grassroots Organizations in 24 Chicago Neighborhoods Experiencing Most Violence - PSPC The Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities’ 2024 Chicago Fund will award at least $1 million in grants of up to $10,000 to support community-led efforts that make neighborhoods safer CHICAGO — A Chicago-based coalition of funders called the Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities (P...

Last month, we announced that Polk Bros. Foundation Senior Program Officer Deborah E. Bennett will retire.

We sat down with Deborah this week to mark her last week with the Foundation and to reflect together on her career, what she’s learned along the way and what keeps her hopeful.

https://www.polkbrosfdn.org/a-conversation-with-deborah-e-bennett-as-she-bids-farewell-to-polk-bros-foundation/

To Deborah – a true changemaker in Chicago philanthropy, an inspiring leader, and a cherished friend – thank you for the years of passion you brought to Polk Bros. Foundation and to Chicago!

(Please also enjoy a few photos from our recent celebration of Deborah!)

Some bittersweet news!

After decades of dedicated service and an unwavering commitment to creating a more equitable Chicago, Deborah Bennett and Debbie Reznick have both announced they will be transitioning from their roles with Polk Bros. Foundation and starting a new chapter in their lives as part of their long-held personal goals.

Deborah and Debbie have both been instrumental in shaping our organization, contributing their expertise, dedication and passion over the years. We are immensely grateful for their accomplishments and for the lasting impact they have had on us as individuals, on our Foundation and on our city.

As Deborah and Debbie begin a new chapter in their lives, we extend our warmest wishes for happiness and fulfillment. We know the work they’ve done in partnership with so many philanthropic and community leaders will continue to influence and inspire many for years to come.

Please comment below to help us celebrate these two philanthropic changemakers!

⭐ Read more about Deborah Bennett’s transition: https://www.polkbrosfdn.org/polk-bros-foundation-senior-program-officer-deborah-bennett-to-retire-next-month/

⭐ Read more about Debbie Reznick’s transition: https://www.polkbrosfdn.org/polk-bros-foundation-senior-program-officer-debbie-reznick-will-step-down-in-may-2024-to-pursue-new-adventures/

Our trusted colleague and friend, Polk Bros. Foundation Program Associate Kim Nguyen, is leaving the Foundation for a new opportunity. We are so grateful for the endless ways she works to make Chicago better, and we will dearly miss her thought-provoking questions, social justice perspectives and cat GIFs 😸.

You'll be missed, Kim, and we can't wait to see all you accomplish!

"Hyper-local news organizations are the backbone of an informed and engaged Chicago. aims to support this type of civic infrastructure, and help our city thrive with informed and connected communities,” said Polk Bros. Foundation Program Officer Channing R. N. Lenert.

Read why a coalition of 10 funders (including Polk Bros. Foundation) just launched Press Forward Chicago:

Press Forward Chicago Launches with $10 Million in Commitments to Revitalize Local News - The Chicago Community Trust Local Coalition of Donors Unite to Support More Informed Communities CHICAGO (November 3, 2023) – A coalition of 10 funders today announced the launch of…

"The risk of intimate-partner homicide increases by five times when abusers have access to a gun," said Amanda Pyron of The Network - Advocating Against Domestic Violence & Yolanda Androzzo of One Aim Illinois in this Chicago Sun-Times commentary.

Read what Pyron and Androzzo say it will take to better protect domestic violence victims:

We must protect domestic violence victims with tighter gun safety through Karina’s Law Current laws failed Karina Gonzalez and her 15-year-old daughter, Daniela, who were shot and killed in July by Karina’s husband, two activists write.

“In partnership with all of my Polk Bros. Foundation colleagues, I extend our heartfelt congratulations to Deborah Bennett as she receives AFP Chicago's Professional Grantor Award today,” said Polk Bros. Foundation CEO Gillian Darlow.

“Her selflessness, boundless passion, and unwavering commitment serve as a guiding light, reminding us all that the power to effect change lies within each of us. Through her actions, she has exemplified the values that define not only Polk Bros. Foundation but also the heart of this great city. Congratulations, Deborah!”

Pictured here: Deborah Bennett (center) with her two daughters
📷: Divya Mohan Little

Are you an experienced, empathetic leader and creative strategist? We're searching for a highly qualified Chief of Staff who will work closely with Polk Bros. Foundation's CEO and leadership team in implementing strategic initiatives, developing plans, and managing special projects.

Learn more about the role and how to apply:
https://ow.ly/W3pV50PHYme

Chicago Coalition for the Homeless release 2021 report The coalition’s report does not capture Chicago’s recent influx of thousands of migrants from Central and South America

Read insights from Vershawn Ward of Red Clay Dance Company in our blog series. https://www.polkbrosfdn.org/take-five-with-vershawn-ward-of-red-clay-dance-company/

Are you a Small Business owner? Apply for a 2023 Source Grant by Friday, August 18. Learn more and apply at cookcountysmallbiz.org/sourcegrant.

“With key infrastructure in place and evidence pointing to its significant impact, it’s time now to help community violence intervention reach the communities that are asking for it.”

Read more from Polk Bros. Foundation CEO Gillian Darlow and Safe and Peaceful Chi Executive Director Esther Franco-Payne in today’s Chicago Tribune op-ed.

Op-ed: It's time to scale up violence intervention in Chicago Getting violence prevention programs to the Chicago communities that are asking for them will require everyone to work together.

At Polk Bros. Foundation, we remain committed to directly and intentionally addressing the effects and causes of structural racism, economic inequity and social disparities.

We’re honored to sponsor the 29th Annual , awarding Chicago’s best new neighborhood developments and developers! We hope you’ll join us in congratulating the winners and watching the show today at 4:30pm via LISC Chicago live.

"As our priorities shifted and as stark injustices were highlighted and replayed on our televisions, we were forced to grapple with the values that matter most. With that, there is now a national conversation about race that I’m pleased to witness."

Read more insights from Jacquelyn Lemon of NewRoot Learning Institute in our latest post. https://www.polkbrosfdn.org/take-five-with-jacquelyn-lemon-of-newroot-learning-institute/

"The flexibility and trust that funders extended to cultural workers and nonprofit organizations at the start of the COVID pandemic still resonates with me," said Vershawn Ward of Red Clay Dance Company.

Read more in our latest blog post. https://www.polkbrosfdn.org/take-five-with-vershawn-ward-of-red-clay-dance-company/

“Chicago’s South and West sides are filled with organizations that are keeping neighborhoods safe and helping people feel more connected to each other,” said Deborah Bennett, senior program officer for Polk Bros. Foundation and member of PSPC. “These organizations know what it takes to strengthen their communities. They just need more resources.”

253 Grassroots Groups Receive $2.5M to Build Peace in Neighborhoods Hardest Hit by Gun Violence - PSPC A coalition of more than 50 foundations and funders called the Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities (PSPC) today announces 201 grassroots organizations will receive $1.5 million in grants from its 2022 Chicago Fund for Safe and Peaceful Communities.