Polk Bros. Foundation
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Polk Bros. Foundation
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Polk Bros. Foundation is working to make Chicago a place where all people have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
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What does it take for everyone in Chicago to have the opportunity to reach their full potential?

Our grantmaking is now focused on three interconnected goals designed to address inequities in Chicago. Learn more about the goals guiding our work: https://www.polkbrosfdn.org/our-focus
Our Focus - Polk Bros Foundation
Our Focus A Chicago Where Everyone Can Thrive We believe our city can truly live into its promise as a place where dignity and joy are universal, where neighborhoods hold the power to lead the way, where families can shape the lives they envision, and where our future is built on shared prosperity and belonging....
www.polkbrosfdn.org
September 16, 2026 at 4:52 PM
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Join us for an information session to learn more about how our Open Application process works.

TODAY at 10am
Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_LMjzcOXTTZCvPaTS0Ygq6Q

Tuesday, 9/22 at 1pm
Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nxMfhyhZS8WlMDH-pKIjuA
September 14, 2026 at 1:56 PM
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Our new illustrations bring each of our new grantmaking goals to life:

- Closing the Life Expectancy Gap
- Building Community Wealth Across Generations
- Fostering Participatory, Multiracial Democracy

Learn more on our new website: www.polkbrosfdn.org

Illustrations: TinyBold
September 10, 2026 at 6:12 PM
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Polk Bros. Foundation’s new grantmaking is now live. Hear more from our team!

https://youtu.be/ONWjfwPaB_s?si=p_CFNi9aRX5Q3BTM
September 9, 2026 at 7:35 PM
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Polk Bros. Foundation’s new grantmaking is now live.

Read our full announcement and learn more: https://www.polkbrosfdn.org/recent-stories/our-new-grantmaking-is-now-live.
Our new grantmaking is now live  - Polk Bros Foundation
By Gillian Darlow, Polk Bros. Foundation CEO 
www.polkbrosfdn.org
September 9, 2026 at 5:35 PM
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Tomorrow, we’re launching our new grantmaking.

Be among the first to see it. Sign up for our newsletter. https://polkbrosfdn.us17.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=dbf6ed953b4d782723ba0ba78&id=bbbe946700
September 8, 2026 at 8:19 PM
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We’re getting ready to launch our new grantmaking -- and a new website about what we fund, why & how to connect with us.

Our newsletter subscribers will hear the news first on 9/9. Have you signed up? https://polkbrosfdn.us17.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=dbf6ed953b4d782723ba0ba78&id=bbbe946700
September 4, 2026 at 8:28 PM
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We’ve listened to community leaders, nonprofit partners and philanthropy peers across Chicago as we considered where Polk Bros. Foundation’s resources can make the greatest impact.

On Wednesday, September 9, we’ll share what’s next. Sign up for our newsletter. https://lnkd.in/esCdPPvX
September 2, 2026 at 5:40 PM
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We’ve been doing a lot of listening, learning and planning over the past two years. Next week, we’ll share where that work has led us.

Want to be among the first to know?

Sign up for our newsletter. https://polkbrosfdn.us17.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=dbf6ed953b4d782723ba0ba78&id=bbbe946700
August 31, 2026 at 7:30 PM
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Polk Bros. Foundation is investing $1.075M in 12 organizations working to expand shared ownership and build community wealth across Chicago. Learn more: https://www.polkbrosfdn.org/polk-bros-foundation-announces-grant-recipients-of-its-emerging-strategies-to-advance-shared-ownership-rfp/
August 19, 2026 at 4:58 PM
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We're investing $1.075M in 15 organizations working to prevent overdose deaths across Chicago. See the projects selected for funding: https://www.polkbrosfdn.org/polk-bros-foundation-announces-grant-recipients-of-its-risk-reduction-strategies-to-prevent-overdose-rfp/
August 18, 2026 at 4:06 PM
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Polk Bros. Foundation’s Next Generation Power-Building Request for Proposals is now live. Letters of Interest are due June 5, 2026 at 5:00pm.

See full details at: www.polkbrosfdn.org/our-transiti...
May 4, 2026 at 6:48 PM
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OPPORTUNITY | Polk Bros. Foundation is opening three new funding opportunities to support community-driven work. These are part of the Foundation’s transition toward its new grantmaking goals.

www.polkbrosfdn.org/polk-bros-fo...
Polk Bros. Foundation to release three grant opportunities to support community-driven efforts and help shape future grantmaking
Polk Bros. Foundation to release three grant opportunities to support community-driven efforts and help shape future grantmaking   Together, these grants will total $3 million   CHICAGO — Polk Bros. F...
www.polkbrosfdn.org
February 17, 2026 at 12:54 PM
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We’ve created 3 Advisory Cohorts to guide our learning & strategy development across our new goals: Closing the Life Expectancy Gap; Building Community Wealth Across Generations; and Fostering a Participatory, Multiracial Democracy: www.polkbrosfdn.org/listening-de...
Full list of organizations ↓
December 16, 2025 at 3:35 PM
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We’re proud to be a sponsor of today’s 31st Annual Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards, recognizing Chicago’s best new neighborhood developments and developers!
#CNDA31
June 26, 2025 at 7:43 PM
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We're seeking a Senior Program Officer or Program Officer with deep #education expertise to join our Building Community Wealth Across Generations team and participate as a collaborative partner with the full grantmaking staff.

Details + how to apply: www.polkbrosfdn.org/senior-progr...
June 11, 2025 at 4:55 PM
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After 27 years, Evette Cardona is retiring from Polk Bros. Foundation this week.

She’s been a fierce advocate for equity and community — and we got to reflect with her on what it all means.

It’s moving, wise and hopeful. www.polkbrosfdn.org/a-conversati...
A conversation with Evette Cardona as she bids farewell to Polk Bros. Foundation
A conversation with Evette Cardona as she bids farewell to Polk Bros. Foundation Earlier this year, we announced that Polk Bros. Foundation’s Vice President of Programs […]
www.polkbrosfdn.org
May 21, 2025 at 7:55 PM
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This week, we’re celebrating Evette Cardona’s incredible legacy as she wraps up her time at the Foundation.

Join us in congratulating her on receiving the Crossroads Fund’s Lynda J. Tipton Memorial Award for Social Justice!

📸 Photos from the event + program:
new.express.adobe.com/webpage/Rwts...
May 19, 2025 at 3:30 PM
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As we prepare for Evette Cardona’s final week with the Foundation before she retires, we’re celebrating her legacy.

Start with this @windycitytimes.com profile ow.ly/4XqC50VTmbj

“Even though it’s a strange time to be retiring... I hope the next generation will... take our breaths away.”
May 15, 2025 at 3:52 PM
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Nonprofits are essential to a strong democracy — and that includes public media.

#WorldPressFreedomDay
Nonprofits are essential to a strong democracy — and that includes public media. On #WorldPressFreedomDay, we’re reminded how vital a free and independent press is to civic life. This administration’s attack on PBS and NPR is the latest example of government overreach and part of a disturbing pattern of silencing voices and undermining trusted institutions that serve communities. Millions rely on public media for local, factual reporting. Defunding it weakens access to trusted information and undermines the public’s ability to stay informed and engaged. We believe in the power and importance of a free, vibrant press as part of a strong civic infrastructure. We will continue to champion the institutions and values that keep communities informed, connected and heard.
May 3, 2025 at 6:06 PM
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We’re launching a new series sharing how Polk Bros. Foundation is thinking about grantmaking toward our new goals — and why we remain committed to standing alongside you.

First up:
🎥 Watch CEO Gillian Darlow share how we arrived at our new goals.

📝 Read more: www.polkbrosfdn.org/how-we-arriv...
April 28, 2025 at 7:16 PM