NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Citi Foundation announced today that 40 nonprofit organizations have been selected as recipients of the 2018 Community Progress Makers Fund. The $20 million grant initiative supports visionary nonprofit organizations to help them roll out new approaches to long-standing urban economic challenges in six U.S. cities – Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, San Francisco Bay Area and Washington, D.C. Each Community Progress Maker will receive $500,000 in core operating support and access to technical assistance and a learning community.
“We launched this program in 2015 as our version of ‘venture philanthropy’ – a chance to invest in the vision and mission of these organizations who are helping positively transform their communities,” said Brandee McHale, President of the Citi Foundation. “We’re pleased with the results from our inaugural Community Progress Makers and are looking forward to implementing the lessons we’ve learned with this next, impressive group of community leaders as they scale, innovate and drive impact.”
In 2016-2017, the inaugural cohort of Community Progress Makers helped more than 14,700 low-income people secure financial assets; built over 10,500 affordable housing units; strengthened more than 1,100 small businesses; and connected 1,800 young people to jobs in their communities.
“It will take all of us working together – across sectors and levels of government – to expand access to prosperity,” said Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser. “Through the Community Progress Makers Fund, the Citi Foundation is deepening the capacity of community-based organizations to give more residents and neighborhoods in Washington, D.C. and across the nation a fair shot.”
"We are honored to have been selected as a Community Progress Maker and to join leading organizations working to increase economic opportunity for low-income residents," said Davon Russell, President of WHEDco in New York City. "This core operating support from the Citi Foundation is exceptional because it provides us the flexibility to really deepen our work; it demonstrates trust in our leadership and our knowledge of the people we serve. I believe it will be transformative for WHEDco.”
“As a returning Community Progress Maker, I can speak firsthand about the value of being in a cohort of nonprofits interested in innovation and community impact. The Citi Foundation’s support makes this possible while also giving us the opportunity to pilot new approaches and invest in the capacity of our staff,” said Anne Evens, Chief Executive Officer of Elevate Energy in Chicago. “We look forward to building on our impactful first two years and are so grateful to be selected again.”
As part of the Community Progress Makers Fund, WHEDco will expand support of small businesses and low-income residents in the South Bronx. Elevate Energy will be piloting five different community solar project models over the next two years that will increase energy efficiency benefits for 2,500 families in Chicago. Organizations were selected through a competitive open Request for Applications (RFA) process. Over 400 nonprofit organizations applied.
Below is a full list of Community Progress Makers:
Chicago
Cara
Chicago Commons
Elevate Energy
Greater Southwest
Development Corporation
North Lawndale Employment Network
Los Angeles
East LA Community Corporation
Homeboy Industries
Koreatown
Youth & Community Center
LISC Los Angeles
Los Angeles
County Economic Development Corporation
Los Angeles LGBT Center
United
Way of Greater Los Angeles
Miami
Catalyst Miami
Hispanic Unity of Florida (HUF)
The Miami
Foundation
United Way of Miami-Dade
Urban League of Broward
County
New York City
Brooklyn Workforce Innovations
Center for NYC Neighborhoods
Cypress
Hills Local Development Corporation
Green City Force
Hot Bread
Kitchen
LISC NYC
Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF)
Neighborhood
Trust Financial Partners
Start Small Think Big
The HOPE Program
The
POINT Community Development Corporation
WHEDco
San Francisco Bay Area
Enterprise Community Partners Northern CA
Jewish Vocational Service
Main
Street Launch
Pacific Community Ventures
San Francisco Housing
Development Corporation (SFHDC)
Social Finance
Washington, D.C.
Building Bridges Across the River
Byte Back
Groundswell
Latino
Economic Development Center-LEDC
Mary’s Center
About the Citi Foundation
The Citi Foundation works to promote economic progress and improve the lives of people in low-income communities around the world. We invest in efforts that increase financial inclusion, catalyze job opportunities for youth, and reimagine approaches to building economically vibrant cities. The Citi Foundation's "More than Philanthropy" approach leverages the enormous expertise of Citi and its people to fulfill our mission and drive thought leadership and innovation. For more information, visit www.citifoundation.com.
