Polk Bros. Foundation

We are thrilled to announce the appointment of James Fawley as our new vice president of investments and administration. “I am very excited to join the Polk Bros. Foundation at such an important time in its history. In these volatile, uncertain times, the Foundation’s mission has never been more critical and I look forward to supporting our team and Board to make Chicago a place where all people have the opportunity to reach their full potential,” said James. Please join us in welcoming James to Polk Bros. Foundation! Read the full update. https://lnkd.in/gPz_sAbx

This September, after 15 years with the Foundation, Vice President of Investments and Administration Amy Hill will retire. "Amy’s stewardship of the Foundation’s resources has paved the way for grantmaking that makes a real difference in people’s lives. And her efforts to help streamline the Foundation’s processes have made, and will keep making, the application experience easier and more equitable for our grantee partners. We will miss Amy and her strategic guidance greatly, and wish her well as she starts her next chapter,” said Polk Bros. Foundation CEO Gillian Darlow. From all of us at Polk Bros. Foundation: Amy, thank you for the compassion and leadership you share with our team and with Chicago. We hope your upcoming retirement brings you so much joy and fulfillment! ❤️ Read the full update: https://lnkd.in/geyyYU49

The supreme court’s decision criminalizes acts of being homeless which has dire consequences for #GenderBasedViolence survivors who are unhoused. The City of Grants Pass v. Johnson case looked at whether cities are allowed to ban homeless people from sleeping in public spaces and penalize them despite having nowhere else to go. The ruling in favor of Grants Pass gives cities more power to arrest, cite and fine people who sleep outside in public places. This worsens the plight of already vulnerable individuals without addressing root causes of homelessness. We know #GBV can cause, contribute, or perpetuate housing instability. and is recognized as the leading cause of housing instability for women. Up to 57% of all homeless women report domestic violence as the immediate cause of their homelessness.  The #JohnsonVGrantsPass decision creates further barriers to survivors accessing safe housing by making it even more difficult to leave an abusive relationship because of fear of penalties if there is not a shelter bed available at the moment a survivor is able to flee. Survivors often cannot plan in advance for when they are able to leave, given the ongoing violence and threats to bodily harm that they face in their home. When shelter beds are not available, survivors stay unsheltered, in cars, or in other places not fit for human habitation as they await shelter availability. For those survivors that need access to emergency shelter in Illinois, please contact the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline at 877-863-6338, and we will work to connect you to a safe shelter space. 

There are many ways we can help people experiencing homelessness. Fining or jailing those who sleep outside is not one of them.

As a member of Funders Together to End Homelessness and Chicago Funders Together to End Homelessness, we stand firmly with the national funder coalition in condemning the Grants Pass v. Johnson Supreme Court ruling. Funders Together to End Homelessness said in their statement: "This inhumane ruling, which goes against the values of nearly three-quarters of Americans, will make homelessness worse in Grants Pass and nationwide. The decision rolls back the 2019 Martin v. Boise precedent, claiming it is neither cruel nor unusual punishment to fine, ticket, or arrest people experiencing homelessness who are using survival items like blankets, cardboard, or pillows to rest in public spaces, even when no alternative shelter is available. Funders Together to End Homelessness unapologetically support policies and solutions that are rooted in humanity, choice, and the understanding that everyone deserves a safe place to call home."    Read the full statement:  https://lnkd.in/ePZa4Y2S #JohnsonvGrantsPass

Congratulations to Holsten Real Estate Development & Management Corporation on receiving this year’s Polk Bros. Foundation Affordable Rental Housing Preservation Award for Lawson House! Congratulations, too, to LISC Chicago on the 30th anniversary of the Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards, and to all of this year's award recipients! The CNDAs recognize there's something so powerful about a group of people coming together with a shared vision for the future. https://lnkd.in/gvbs26VQ #CNDA30

Congratulations to LISC Chicago for an amazing evening at the 30th Annual Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards, and to the winners for their exceptional dedication! We’re proud to sponsor this event and help shine a light on the innovative work of Chicago’s developers.

Polk Bros. Foundation is hiring for two key positions on our program staff: Senior Program Officer and Program Officer. If you're a passionate change-maker who thrives in a collaborative environment, we want to hear from you. Come work with us and our partners toward a vision of Chicago where all people can reach their full potential. https://lnkd.in/gCjVmPBb #Housingaffordability #education #violenceprevention #philanthropy

Don't miss out on next week's #AMPT Events! In one week, applications for the #AMPTGrant closes! Apply before June 10th at 11:59 PM CDT at bit.ly/AMPTGrant Join us that same day at 600 West Cermak Road for AUYO: Amplify Your #Communications & #BrandMarketing with Diego Roman! Register now for this free in-person event at bit.ly/AuyoCBM Finally, join other nonprofit leaders on June 13th at our first #NonprofitSharespace of the year! Join us once again at 600 West Cermak Road by registering at bit.ly/AMPTJuneSharespace #Events #Grant #Workshop #CapacityBuilding #Nonprofits #ChicagoNonprofits #LatineNonprofits #AMPTUp #applynow #registernow