The Collaborative is now closed and not accepting applications. Community Organizing: Technology Funders Collaborative Chicago and the nation are witnessing a tumultuous time in history – the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has caused significant harm to people and further unveiled the inequities that exist in our society. Access to technology has surfaced as a key issue with many communities experiencing the technology divide. Local Chicago foundations that support community organizing have come together to respond to this technology need. The foundations are committed to supporting innovative organizing strategies that now rely on technology more than ever. The support will be through rapid response technology grants that will be issued on a rolling basis and within 10 working days of receiving the request. Crossroads Fund will serve as the host organization for this collaborative. Funding CriteriaPriority will be given to community organizing groups that have been funded by the following foundations in the last three years: Albert Pick Jr. Foundation, Comer Family Foundation, Conant Family Foundation, Crossroads Fund, Field Foundation, McCormick Foundation, Polk Bros Foundation, Woods Fund of Chicago and Wieboldt Foundation. Funding requests can be for the following:Building organizational technology capacity to facilitate strategic base building, build new coalitions and partnershipsSupporting an organization’s technology infrastructure – network, hardware, software, internet access, cell phones, accessing digital meeting capacity, trainings etc. Eligibility CriteriaApplicants may request between up to $10,000.Organizations with budgets under $750,000Organizations that have been funded in the last three years by one or more of the above-mentioned foundationsFunding should be used within 6 months. The Collaborative is now closed and not accepting applications.
