Community Resilience Fund

The Community Resilience Fund, administered by the Crossroads Fund, supports grassroots organizations across the Chicago metropolitan area that are engaged in urgent movement-building and rapid-response activities. Evolving from the Critical Response Fund originally launched post-9/11, this fund is designed to meet the increasingly complex challenges faced by communities today by providing timely and strategic support for organizers and organizations on the frontlines of justice and social change. This initiative remains rooted in Crossroads Fund’s mission to follow the leadership of those most impacted—people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrants, and working-class people—by equipping grassroots groups with essential tools and flexible financial support. The fund supports a broad range of activities including urgent mobilizations, legal and digital security enhancements, restructured campaigns, and emergent convenings. Funding requests can be made for $5,000 to $30,000, with priority given to applicants whose organizational budgets fall below $700,000. The Community Resilience Fund addresses several strategic needs such as emergency responses to digital or physical threats, organizational governance and crisis planning, emergent convenings to build solidarity, and experimental strategies that respond to the shifting political landscape. It is particularly suited for organizations needing to pivot quickly in response to policy threats, develop new coalitions, or expand their base through innovative organizing. Eligible applicants must work in the Chicago metropolitan area, defined to include Chicago as well as surrounding counties in Illinois (Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, and Will) and Lake County in Indiana. Organizations do not need 501(c)(3) status to apply; fiscally sponsored projects and certain 501(c)(4) organizations may also be considered. All applicants must use Crossroads Fund’s online grant portal and enter the access code “ORGANIZE” to access the application. Paper submissions are not accepted. The application window opened on August 12, 2025, and closes on November 11, 2025. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and applicants are typically notified within four to six weeks of submission. Final decisions are made by the Crossroads Fund’s board based on staff recommendations. Joanna Preston serves as the primary contact for inquiries and can be reached via email at joanna@crossroadsfund.org or by phone at 773-227-7676. The Community Resilience Fund reinforces Crossroads Fund’s commitment to rapid, equitable response to emergent needs. By focusing on organizations with strong grassroots leadership and a demonstrated history of collaborative, justice-focused work, the fund aims to bolster community resilience through capacity building and strategic mobilization in times of uncertainty and threat.