Pritzker Traubert Foundation believes that all Chicagoans should have equal access to economic opportunity. We partner with visionary leaders to implement their bold plans to connect talent to jobs, build an inclusive and growing economy, and strengthen communities in Chicago. Only when all our neighbors and neighborhoods thrive can Chicago reach its full potential.
Chicago Prize is founded on the belief that community leaders are best positioned to create catalytic plans for positive change in their communities. Their bold ideas for transformation across the South and West Sides often lack access to the resources and networks needed to execute those community plans. Chicagoans deserve better.
We launched the Chicago Prize in 2019 to provide community leaders with an opportunity to access a $10 million grant that could be a catalyst for change and attract additional resources to help advance their plans. Through a rigorous process, the Always Growing, Auburn Gresham proposal was awarded the inaugural Chicago Prize in 2020. With the support of the City of Chicago and other funders, the Auburn Gresham team’s progress and impact has been inspirational. Visit this link for an update on their progress as well as the other 2020 Chicago Prize finalists.
In 2022, we launched a second Chicago Prize and identified and highlighted six strong proposals to advance in the 2022 Chicago Prize selection process. Each team offers a remarkable vision for their community and compelling collection of projects and plans to achieve their goals in partnership with the community. Visit this link to learn more about the finalists.
The Sankofa Wellness Village in West Garfield Park is the second Chicago Prize recipient who will receive $10 million in capital over the next five years. The Village is a collaborative community-led initiative that uses real estate development to produce significant economic impact and shift health outcomes for the residents of the West Garfield Park by providing access to health care and wellness programs, before and after-school care, creating quality jobs, growing businesses, and increasing wealth for Black and Brown workers, entrepreneurs, and residents. Visit this link to learn more about the 2022 Chicago Prize recipient.
In addition to the Chicago Prize awards, we have committed $5 million to support a pipeline of community development projects. Chicago Prize provided $2 million in matching grants to four of the Chicago Prize 2020 finalists to help get their projects across the finish line. In 2022, we are offering up to $2.5 million in matching grants to the five remaining 2022 finalists. Chicago Prize is part of Pritzker Traubert Foundation’s $100+ million 10-year commitment made in 2017 to increase access to economic opportunity for more Chicagoans.
Thank You to Our Partners
Pritzker Traubert Foundation would like to thank the many organizations and individuals who supported the Chicago Prize process. We are grateful for our many partners who continue to build this initiative, especially the community leaders who applied for the Prize and the many public and private funding partners who have invested in their ideas.
We want to give a special thank you to We Rise Together for their continued partnership and $2.5 million commitment to funding the 2022 finalists.
Thank you to our reviewers and advisors who contributed their time and talent. A special thanks to Andy Zopp of Cleveland Avenue, Helene Gayle and Andrea Saenz of the Chicago Community Trust, and Juan Salgado of City Colleges of Chicago for their participation as members of the Selection Committee.