Request for Applications

We are no longer accepting applications for Chicago Prize 2022.

Review the materials below as you develop your proposal:

• Chicago Prize 2022 Request for Applications to learn more about the process and instructions for preparing your application.
• Self-Assessment to verify your eligibility and consider the alignment of your project with Chicago Prize 2022 goals.
• Appendix I: Frequently Asked Questions (Updated 7/25/22) for additional background and key definitions. Check back periodically for updates.
• Appendix II: Chicago Prize 2022 Application Template for a preview of the application form.
• Chicago Prize Application User Guide for instructions on navigating the online application portal.

Check back often for updates. Please be sure to sign up below for key updates and announcements.

Questions can be sent to chicagoprize@ptfound.org with the subject line “Chicago Prize 2022 Application Questions”.

Events

• Thursday, January 6, 2022, 1pm Webinar. Watch a recording of the session here: Community Wealth Building and Chicago Prize 2022
• Thursday, January 20, 2022, 1pm Webinar. Watch a recording of the session here: Financial Readiness for Community Development Real Estate Projects
• Thursday, February 15, 2022, 1pm Webinar. Watch a recording of the session here: Office Hours

Resources

Review the resources below to learn about leading strategies for economic impact and community wealth building.

• Urban Institute: Always Growing, Auburn Gresham Case Study (Chicago Prize 2020 Recipient)
• Urban Institute: Strategies for Community Wealth Building
• Urban Institute: Neighborhood Disparities in Investment Flows
• United Way Neighborhood Exchange: Connecting the Dots: Human Services & Economic Development (YouTube)
• MacArthur Foundation: 100&Change Webinar: From Theory to Logic to Action

Criteria

Applications to Chicago Prize 2022 will be reviewed based on Chicago Prize’s core criteria – Team, Impact, Feasibility, and Leverage — by the Chicago Prize 2022 Advisors.

Check out the Practitioner Perspectives to hear from leading experts on how to apply these criteria to shape your applications and initiatives.

Team

• Does the team have the community-based leadership, development expertise, and program partners needed to successfully implement the proposed initiative?
• Is there evidence of strong community involvement in the initiative’s development and operations?
• Is the team leadership credible in the community and capable of leading this effort?

Impact

• Will this initiative create significant and sustained economic impact in and for the community?
• Will this initiative be catalytic in attracting additional investments in the neighborhood?
• Does the community lead, its designees, or others in the community have an equity stake in the project or other path to wealth creation?

Feasibility

• Does the team provide a credible plan for designing, funding, and managing successful construction of the project(s)?
• Will the project be financially self-sustaining?
• Is the lead project “investment-ready”?

Leverage

• Does the initiative effectively leverage the Chicago Prize grant to attract additional public and private investment?
• How does the initiative leverage other investments in the community?