We were proud to sponsor the "Building a Nonprofit Newsroom," panel at last weekend's @womenjournos.bsky.social JAWS conference in Washington, D.C. The panel featured two grant recipients from Field's Multi-Year Cohort: Chicago News Weekly & Investigative Project & Race and Equity. 1/

We're proud to support #JAWSCAMP2025 @womenjournos.bsky.social, Sept 5-7 in Washington, DC. For all attending, don't miss this panel on "Building a Nonprofit Newsroom," featuring leaders from @floodlightnews.org, Chicago News Weekly, @chronphilanthropy.bsky.social, & @raceandequityproject.org

Yesterday, we toured the construction site of the Obama Presidential Center on the South Side. We learned about how the 19.3-acre campus will serve Chicago, its communities & residents. We look forward to returning when it opens in 2026. Thx to the @obamafoundation.bsky.social team for hosting us.

Yesterday, the Field Foundation’s Director of Journalism & Storytelling, Maudlyne Ihejirika, joined an insightful Inspired Generosity panel, “FROM MARGINS TO MAINSTREAM: Advancing Narrative Change in Community Stories.” 1/

“Storytelling is at the heart of journalism and at the heart of philanthropy … and we need each other. We have to tell our stories … that’s how we move hearts and minds.” — Maudlyne Ihejirika, Director of Journalism & Storytelling, Field Foundation 1/ #journalism #storytelling

Happening next Tuesday! Register for this Inspired Generosity event by Aug 24.

🎯 GRANTMAKING & STORYTELLING IN THE PHILANTHROPIC SPACE Join us Thursday, August 28, from 8:30-10:30 AM CT at Impact House for an insightful conversation about how storytelling can be a powerful tool to enhance the impact of grantmaking in the philanthropy sector. 1/

🎯 FROM MARGINS TO MAINSTREAM: Advancing Narrative Change in Community Stories Join us August 26 from 9-11 AM CT at Impact House for an important conversation about how underrepresented communities are reshaping media narratives to ensure accurate, fair, and contextual news coverage. 1/

Meet Hac Tran, a Chicago-born urban planner & community development professional dedicated to preserving the cultural legacy of “Asia on Argyle”—a five-block business district in Chicago. Along with @macfound.org, we celebrate Hac as a 2025 Leaders for a New Chicago awardee. 1/

Meet Nissa Rhee, Cofounder & Executive Director of @borderlessmag.bsky.social, a nonprofit and nonpartisan news outlet reimagining immigration journalism. Along with @macfound.org, we celebrate Nissa as a 2025 #LeadersForANewChicago awardee. #community #powerbuilding #philanthropy #chicago 1/

Meet Andrea Ortiz, a community champion whose organizing approach has bridged grassroots activism with policy change, ensuring marginalized communities have the power & resources to shape their future. Along with @macfound.org, we celebrate Andrea as a 2025 #LeadersForANewChicago awardee. 1/

Meet Dave Spencer, Co-Executive Director of the American Indian Center, which provides cultural, social & educational services to Chicago's large and diverse Native community. Along with @macfound.org, we celebrate Dave as a 2025 #LeadersForANewChicago awardee. 1/

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist & Chicago native @maria-hinojosa.bsky.social, President of Futuro Media, moderated a stellar plenary at the National Association of Hispanic Journalists @morelatinosinnews.bsky.social Conference. The topic: “The Price of Truth: Media, Money, and Democracy” 1/

🎙️ TOMORROW @ the National Association of Hispanic Journalists Conference @morelatinosinnews.bsky.social in #Chicago Join our panel, "Having Fun With Funding: How to Make Your Grant Stand Out." #NAHJ2025 📅 Friday, July 11th, 2025 🕘 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM 📍 Hilton Chicago, Joliet Room, 3rd Floor

TOMORROW @ the National Association of Hispanic Journalists Conference @morelatinosinnews.bsky.social, join Field President Daniel O. Ash alongside @macfound.org President @palfrey.org‬ & FCC Commissioner ‪@agomezfcc.bsky.social‬ for the panel "The Price of Truth: Media, Money & Democracy." 1/

“People want to be respected and reflected by news,” – Tina Rosenberg, co-founder of the Solutions Journalism Network @soljourno.bsky.social Fantastic day at the Medill Midwest Solutions Journalism Hub’s #SummerSummit in #Chicago, a free event for journalists, storytellers & media pros. 1/

Meet Alice Kim, Founding Director of Beyond Prisons Initiative at the Center for the Study of Race, Politics & Culture. Along with @macfound.org, we celebrate Alice as a 2025 #LeadersForANewChicago awardee. 1/ #organizing #community #powerbuilding #philanthropy #chicago

Excellent story in the Hyde Park Herald on the contributions of Alice Kim & Cheryl Miller—two 2025 #LeadersForANewChicago awardees who are redefining civic leadership & reimagining our city's future. @macfound.org bit.ly/45CQDip #community #organizing #powerbuilding #philanthropy

Meet Cheryl Miller, a Health Justice Organizer for @ssidetogether, which organizes Black, poor & working-class community members in Woodlawn, South Shore, Greater Grand Crossing, Park Manor & adjacent neighborhoods to secure economic stability & advance human rights. 1/

Today, we celebrate #Juneteenth, commemorating June 19, 1865, when enslaved people in Texas learned of their freedom. As we honor this pivotal moment in American history, we reflect on the ongoing pursuit of freedom, justice & equality for all. #community #powerbuiding #philanthropy #chicago

"For Daniel Ash, the work of social justice is more than a profession; it’s a calling rooted in personal experience and shaped by the transformative power of human connection." The Chicago Defender profiled Field President Daniel O. Ash. Learn about his path to philanthropy. bit.ly/445ydnJ

Tonight, we'll celebrate the @HealingIllinois 2025 Reporting Project, “Healing Through Narrative Change: Untold Stories" & revisit the powerful work of this year’s cohort: @capitolnewsil.bsky.social, Illinois Times & NPR Illinois, shepherded by @cflandoflincoln.bsky.social. 1/ tinyurl.com/Illitimes

As we wrap the #HealingIllinois 2025 Reporting Project, “Healing Through Narrative Change: Untold Stories,” we're revisiting the powerful work of this year’s newscohort: @capitolnewsil.bsky.social, Illinois Times, & NPR Illinois, shepherded by @cflandoflincoln.bsky.social. 1/ tinyurl.com/nprILpt1

Heading into the June 17 culminating dinner of the #HealingIllinois 2025 Reporting Project, “Healing Through Narrative Change: Untold Stories," we're revisiting the powerful work of @capitolnewsil.bsky.social, Illinois Times, & NPR Illinois—shepherded by @cflandoflincoln.bsky.social 1/

Meet Enneréssa LaNette Davis, Founder & CEO of Praize Productions, Inc., an influential dance & performance arts company in Chicago that creates meaningful opportunities to amplify underrepresented voices. Along with @macfound.org, we celebrate Enneréssa as a 2025 #LeadersForANewChicago awardee. 1/

Meet Jhmira Alexander, President & Executive Director of Public Narrative, a media resource nonprofit and steward of the Chicago Independent Media Alliance (#CIMA). Along with @macfound.org, we celebrate Jhmira as a 2025 #LeadersForANewChicago awardee. 1/

Congratulations to my dear colleague and partner, Jhmira Latrice Alexander, MPA (@publicnarrative.bsky.social), on being recognized as a 2025 Leader for a New Chicago! Excited to see you continuing to soar ⭐

We're so proud that Field Foundation President Daniel O. Ash has been recognized among the 2025 @crainschicago.bsky.social Notable Leaders in Philanthropy. We appreciate Daniel’s leadership & enduring commitment to #community #powerbuilding & civic participation. Congrats to Daniel & all honorees!

Congrats to Scheherazade Tillet, Co-Founder & Executive Director of A Long Walk Home, on receiving The Gordon Parks Foundation Fellowship in Art. Recognized as a #LeadersForANewChicago awardee in 2022, Scheherazade uses art to empower girls & young women. Learn more about her work: bit.ly/3SoZPz0

The Medill Midwest Solutions Journalism Hub's Summer Summit on Friday, June 27, in #Chicago is an excellent & free opportunity for journalists to discover how to use their reporting for meaningful impact. Register: bit.ly/4drgrzT @fieldfoundation.bsky.social is proud to support this Summit.

Under Nedra Sims Fears' leadership, the Greater Chatham Initiative created Mahalia's Mile, a state-designated cultural district on 79th St., bustling with art, dining, & local businesses. We celebrate Nedra as a 2024 #LeadersForANewChicago awardee. Read more about Mahalia's Mile: bit.ly/4myIBx3

At the heart of #HealingIllinois is a simple belief: Everyone in Illinois has a role to play in healing. Learn more about our statewide partnership to distribute $4.5 million in grants for nonprofit organizations to begin or continue the work of healing in their communities.

Congratulations to WFC Board Member Alice Kim, recently named a Leader for a New Chicago by @fieldfoundation.bsky.social, in collaboration with MacArthur Foundation. We are grateful for her leadership, and that of all of the awardees. fieldfoundation.org/field-news/a...

“This past March, Springfield’s Muslim community observed the holy month of Ramadan — a time of fasting, reflection, and spiritual devotion. From dawn to sunset, Muslims fast not just from food, but from distractions, turning inward to strengthen their faith."

It’s truly an honor. Grateful for community ❤️

“When Astria Campbell works as a substitute teacher at inner-city schools in District 186, she often asks her middle and high school students what they want to be when they grow up. The most common answer is to work in the same low-wage jobs as their parents."

In partnership with @macfound.org, we’re excited to announce the 2025 Leaders for a New Chicago, an initiative that recognizes leaders from outside the city’s traditional power structure with the aim of bringing new voices, creativity, and innovation into the systems that shape Chicago. 1/

“To the director of one of the museums, the work to rebury those remains at the behest of a tribal nation or send them to the tribe is an emotional process necessary for correcting historic wrongs – but it also includes a lot of bureaucratic paperwork that can take months to years to process."

"You have to give people an opportunity. They feed us breadcrumbs, and we're supposed to survive." — Teresa Haley, community activist and former president of the Springfield NAACP branch.

"Before they built the first mosque here, the community used the First Presbyterian Church, Lincoln's Church, as our place of worship. They would lend us the basement, and we would weekly have our services there." — Maryam Mostoufi, past president of the Greater Springfield Interfaith Association.

“Our identity has been frozen in time, and it’s going to stay frozen in time as long as we’re portrayed as mascots and things of the past.” — Matt Beaudet, a citizen of the Montauk Tribe of Indians and member of an advocacy group for Native American issues in Illinois.

We’re excited to share today’s launch of the Healing Illinois 2025 Reporting Project, “Healing Through Narrative Change: Untold Stories,” made possible by Healing Illinois, a racial healing initiative from the Illinois Department of Human Services in partnership with the Field Foundation of Illinois

It was an evening of Hope & Art at Lyric Opera last week for a screening of “In Their Hands,” a powerful documentary from Dan Protess about one man’s fight for freedom & the politics of parole in Illinois. The Field Foundation is proud to support this work. Learn more: linktr.ee/intheirhands...

📣 Reminder: "A Road Together" (ART) grant applications are due next Friday, 5/16! Small and mid-size arts & culture orgs in Chicago can apply for 3-year gen ops grants. 25 grants will be awarded in 2025. Funding ranges from $10K-$100K/yr. bit.ly/43zXJ3A @macfound.org

Our final cohort spotlight is on @cflandoflincoln.bsky.social. As Downstate Illinois faced news deserts, the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln launched Press Forward Springfield, one of the first six local chapters of the national Press Forward movement.

Join us for Public Narrative's 30th Annual Community Media Awards on May 1! The @fieldfoundation.bsky.social is proud to sponsor this event, where our President Daniel O. Ash will present the inaugural Dr. Timuel D. Black, Jr. Award to Dr. Elizabeth Todd-Breland and Chicago United for Equity.

“For some, the answer feels obvious. Of course, a child is better off connected to their father. But we needed to test it. And we weren’t surprised by what we found. Presence matters. Especially the presence of a Black father.” chicagodefender.com/breaking-the...

Rounding out this year’s cohort is Illinois Times, Springfield, Illinois’ local, free newspaper covering news, politics, arts, entertainment and culture for the capital city and surrounding rural areas. www.illinoistimes.com

Field Foundation President Daniel O. Ash moderated a powerful City Club panel this week on "The Imperative of Investing in Black Men and Fathers in Chicgo," which focused on unlocking economic power. Watch: cityclub-chicago.org/video/5681 Report: eatchicago.org/reports/breakingthechains.pdf

NPR Illinois, has launched NPR Illinois J‐Corps, a pilot program training community journalists from central Illinois to share diverse voices, stories, and perspectives of underrepresented communities.