Building Stronger Communities Through Civic Engagement and Leadership Development

A funding opportunity to support immigrants and refugees

Walder Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals at this time. This web page is provided for organizations that have been invited to apply for a grant.

Please review LOI requirements under HOW TO APPLY.

To increase immigrant leadership and uplift immigrant voices at community and civic tables, Walder Foundation invites organizations that focus on developing leaders in immigrant and refugee communities to submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) for Building Stronger Communities through Civic Engagement and Leadership Development. This funding opportunity will continue to create, expand and strengthen programs that provide immigrants and refugees with resources and tools to become civic leaders in the Chicago region.*

Walder Foundation supports organizations that recognize immigrants’ valuable contributions and assist immigrants and refugees who are looking to improve their lives and fulfill their dreams.

NEED/OPPORTUNITY

To increase the representation of immigrant and refugee leaders throughout the region, funding will support organizations developing immigrant and refugee leaders to increase their participation in civic life and decision-making at the community and municipal levels. Organizations focused on eliminating administrative barriers and improving policies to welcome immigrants into public life and civic participation are also invited to submit an LOI.

FUNDING CATEGORIES

Funding will focus on building a culture of participation and collaboration that leads to public life participation through:

Community Building

Programs that activate and increase community and civic engagement among immigrants and refugees at the community level through neighborhood initiatives.

Networks and Collaboratives

Initiatives that focus on network cultivation and building a common agenda among multiple partners to increase the active roles of immigrants and refugees in public life and civic engagement.

Inclusive Leadership

Established leadership programs that create specific pathways to engage immigrants and refugees or newly-created programs that focus on leadership development for immigrants and refugees.

Initiatives that include social cohesion and strengthening relationships and awareness across racial and ethnic groups will be prioritized.

Examples of work may include:

• Programs that provide education and skill-building in leadership development (e.g., self-awareness, interpersonal skills, relationship building, and communication).

• Training and education in citizenship and democracy to strengthen immigrants’ and refugees’ participation in public decision-making and the electoral process.

• Programs that provide individuals the opportunity to increase their involvement in local institutions and allow them to take an active role in their communities.

• Initiatives focusing on social cohesion and strengthening relationships and awareness across racial and ethnic groups.

• City-wide leadership programs that seek to integrate immigrants and refugees into their models.

• Existing or new programs that require support to expand, evaluate, and enhance their offerings.

An invitation to complete a full application will be based on several factors, including feasibility and the potential for impact. Final grant amounts will be determined in part by the size of the project and the organization’s budget.

Please note: the grants review process will be competitive, and awards are not guaranteed.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Organizations must have Section 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt status classified as a public charity by the Internal Revenue Service, independently or via a fiscal sponsor.

Organizations that primarily serve immigrant and refugee communities in the Chicago metropolitan region.*

Organizations led by immigrants and people of color will be prioritized.

What we will not fund through this grants program:

• Organizations that only provide youth development programming

• 501(c)(4) activities

• Projects that focus on research

*The Chicago Region is defined as the Illinois counties of Cook, DuPage, Lake, McHenry, Kane, Kendall, and Will, and Lake County in Indiana.

Walder Foundation is committed to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion. We encourage applicants from underrepresented backgrounds and/or projects that improve outcomes for those from underrepresented backgrounds.

TIMELINE

LOI invitation: MARCH 7, 2023

LOI due: APRIL 11, 2023

Application invitation: MAY 2023

Application due: JUNE 2023

Grant notification: SEPTEMBER 2023

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, you must create an account in foundationConnect, our grants management system. To create an account, you will need your organization’s EIN.

1. Create an account in foundationConnect and submit a letter of intent (LOI)

Click on the link below and select Create New Account (or select Sign In if you already have an account):

Building Stronger Communities LOI Application

You will receive a confirmation email from grants@walderfoundation.org. Choose the link in the email, sign in to your account, and start and save a new LOI. To save: complete the first field, Project/Program Name, and then choose Save.

IMPORTANT: If you do not start your letter of intent immediately after receiving the confirmation email, you must return to this page and click the link above to be directed to the LOI form.

Once you have saved your LOI, use the link below to resume work and submit your LOI form:

Walder Foundation Grantee Portal

You can log in anytime to work on the LOI and save your progress.

LOI QUESTIONS

Within the Narrative tab of your application, upload a Microsoft Word document or a PDF that includes responses to the questions below.

1. From the list below of Civic Engagement and Leadership Development focus area(s), indicate all that apply to your grant request:

   • Community Building - Programs that activate and increase community and civic engagement among immigrants and refugees at the community level through neighborhood initiatives.

   • Networks and Collaboratives - Initiatives that focus on network cultivation and building a common agenda among multiple partners and increase the active roles of immigrants and refugees in public life and civic engagement.

   • Inclusive Leadership - Established leadership programs that will create specific pathways to engage immigrants and refugees or newly created programs that will focus on leadership development for immigrants and refugees.

   • Strengthen community and alliance building through racial and ethnic groups.

2. Provide a brief description of the organization’s most important plans and priorities for the year for which funding is requested, include background, explanation, and anticipated outcomes (400-word limit).

3. Describe the project’s relevance to the organization, community, sector or field (200-word limit).

4. Include a brief budget narrative of funding needs and estimated grant request amount.

>> VIEW A SAMPLE LOI FORM

An automated email confirmation is generated upon submission of the LOI. If you do not receive a confirmation within 24 hours of submitting your application, please check your spam folder and then contact: grants@walderfoundation.org

2. Submit a proposal

If you are invited to submit a full proposal, return to foundationConnect and log in to access the proposal form:

Walder Foundation Grantee Portal

You will be able to log in at any time (up until the deadline) to work on your application and save your progress.

CONTACT INFORMATION

For inquiries about the content of your application, send an email to immigration@walderfoundation.org.

For inquiries about the grants management system, send an email to grants@walderfoundation.org.