Vital Communities Grant
The Vital Communities Grant from the MacArthur Foundation funds research-driven projects for equitable community development and creative placekeeping in Chicago.
Funder: MacArthur Foundation
Due Dates: Rolling (submit ideas anytime)
Funding Amounts: Varies; in 2025, creative placekeeping grants via Elevated Chicago anticipate $340,000 total in first round; other awards size not specified.
Summary: Supports equitable community development, creative placekeeping, and infrastructure organizations to foster inclusive growth in Chicago.
Key Information: Priority given to initiatives in 10 designated neighborhoods, but citywide and regional infrastructure projects are also eligible.
Description
The grant aims to advance racial equity and foster a more inclusive Chicago by investing in people, places, and partnerships. It supports place-based economic development, creative placekeeping projects, and infrastructure support organizations. The program is designed to stimulate equitable community growth, with a special focus on ten designated neighborhoods, but also funds citywide and regional projects that align with its goals. Funding is available for pre-development of commercial corridors, arts-driven revitalization, and organizational capacity building to ensure resilient and socially beneficial neighborhood development.
