Application Deadline: January 31
If you would like to apply, please click here.
To complete the Illinois Database of Racial Equity Asset Map Survey, please click here.
Application Deadline: January 31
If you would like to apply, please click here.
To complete the Illinois Database of Racial Equity Asset Map Survey, please click here.
Forefront—Illinois’ membership organization of operating nonprofits and grant makers —is committed to building a vibrant and empowered social impact sector. Learning from and being led by communities across Illinois catalyzes Forefront’s ability to build trust and collective power. As such, Forefront’s Racial Equity Collective (REC) of multi-sector leaders and organizations will work together to change practices, policies, and organizational cultures so all Illinoisans can thrive.
In 2023, Forefront engaged with community leaders and organizations across the state to build the Illinois Database of Racial Equity Asset Map, a publicly accessible interactive map of over 800 racial equity programs and policies across the state. In 2024, along with this tool, the REC launched the Racial Equity Collective Inaugural Cohort (REC Cohort) to support and help coordinate our collective efforts to advance racial equity.
The REC Cohort 2025 will expand on Cohort 2024’s shared language and regional discussions and build a sustainable statewide cross-sector partnership to reimagine how regional partners can engage with one another to collectively advance racial equity. The cohort will engage in six workshops and facilitate a regional roundtable with their local leaders. The first sessions will focus on developing internal capacity and in the second phase, cohort leaders will engage with their respective regional partners to create and implement plans that address local challenges. Scaled compensation up to $3,500 is available for attendees from 501(c)3 non-profit organizations.
Those interested in building a cross-sector collective to coordinate their efforts to cultivate inclusive and equitable communities in their regions and across the state.
Participants from non-profit, government, educational, philanthropy, or private sector with
We define leadership as an impact on individuals, systems and policies, and developing partnerships and fostering civic discourse in their communities to effect positive change.
We define racial equity as both a process and an outcome. As a process, racial equity identifies and calls out historical and contemporary injustices affecting and impacting racial and ethnic groups, then works to build new structures that eliminate these systemic barriers and discriminatory practices. This process is most effective when it centers Black and Brown community members in decision making and vision, and when it teaches about and explicitly works against white supremacy.
As an outcome, racial equity closes the gap where race and ethnicity no longer predict one’s quality of life and ability to thrive.
(3/19; 4/23; 5/21; 6/18; 10/15; 11/12 and a day in Sept/Oct to lead regional roundtables in local communities)
5/21 is a full day in-person session at Impact House including a Racial Equity Leaders Lunch. All other sessions are from 9 am to 12 pm on the dates indicated.
Forefront’s REC will prioritize the following in selecting the cohort: