Two Advisory Groups of 10 community members each will determine $750,000 worth of grants, for a total of $1.5 million in funding to support workforce and local business development in Chicago's underinvested communities

To acknowledge the valuable time and expertise of those who live and work in Chicago's historically underinvested communities, a new participatory grantmaking fund has created an opportunity for 20 people from communities in Chicago to determine how to allocate $1.5 million in grants aimed at supporting local businesses and improving employment opportunities. Known as the Together Fund, the effort is part of We Rise Together: For an Equitable & Just Recovery, a funders collaborative working with community members to address the pressing economic needs of underinvested, predominantly Black and Latine communities.

Through the Together Fund, Community Advisors will help shape We Rise Together's grant opportunities for both Local Business and Workforce Development in 2025. Ten community members were selected to determine grants in each funding area. Nominations for advisors were submitted by members of We Rise Together's Steering Committee, previous grant recipients, and staff, and the final selection was made from the pool of nominees. Each group will allocate $750,000 in grants, which are set to be awarded in fall 2025.

"We believe the people who live and work in Chicago's historically underinvested communities have the vision and wisdom to transform their local economies - they just need the resources," said Christen Wiggins, senior director, community wealth, The Chicago Community Trust, who leads We Rise Together. "We are excited to advance our community-led approach further with the Together Fund."

In addition to prioritizing community-led and community-informed work, We Rise Together seeks to build stronger relationships between philanthropy and community, expand grantmakers' perspectives, and give communities more agency in the grantmaking process. Community Advisors will receive a stipend for their time and expertise, while also having the opportunity to learn more about the grantmaking process and build valuable networks.

The Together Fund Community Advisors are the following:

Workforce Advisory Group

• Alejandra Camargo, Co-Director for LiftWorks program, HHPLift
• Marshall Carter, Program Participant, Greater Chicago Food Depository
• Grace Cooper, Lead Organizer, Austin Coming Together
• TaWanna Cotten, Director of Workforce, Project H.O.O.D.
• Enrique Garcia, student intern, Revolution Workshop
• Adrienne Irmer, AVP for External Affairs, Illinois Tech
• Cynthia Nambo, Community Member
• Nachelle Pugh, John Walt Foundation
• Joel Rodriguez, Community Organizer/Director of Workforce Development, Southwest Organizing Project
• Isaias Solis, Senior Director of Programs, Erie Neighborhood House

Local Business Advisory Group

• Layla Bitoy-Dillon, CEO/Founder, Bitoy's Sweet Treats
• Kimberly Britt, Co-Owner, ChiFresh Kitchen
• Apriel Campbell, Engagement Coordinator, Community Organizer, North Lawndale Coordinating Council
• Maricela Estrada, Senior Economic Justice Organizer, Centro de Trabajadores Unidos:United Workers' Center
• Justin Essig, Business Partner, Beehyyve, L3C
• Amanda Christine Harth, CEO, Monday Coffee
• Lisandra Martinez, J.D., Co-Founder Rebel Ventures, LLC, BSO Embedded Partner/ Entrepreneurial Educator
• Adrian Soto, Executive Director, Greater Southwest Development Corporation
• Jessica Vazquez, Certified Business Advisor, Northwest Side CDC
• Jeremy Wright, CEO, Thrift, LLC