About - Forefront

Blurb about why Forefront rocks, caption for photo

Forefront is Illinois’ statewide association representing nonprofits and grantmakers, as well as their advisors and allies. For fifty years (founded in 1974), Forefront has served as a trusted resource and leader committed to educating, unifying, and mobilizing the sector in Illinois.

Our Mission

Our mission is to build a vibrant social impact sector for all the people of Illinois. We provide education, advocacy, and thought leadership, and facilitate collective action around issues that are important to our members and to the sector.

Our Goal

To create a united and thriving social impact sector that has a transformative impact on the wellbeing and economic security of communities and promotes equity across the state of Illinois.

Forefront achieves its vision for Illinois through three core commitments:

By uniting Illinois’ social impact sector, Forefront endeavors to collaboratively address the most pressing issues of our time.

Our Member Networks, such as the Chicago Arts Collaborative and Family Foundations Committee, exist to provide space and structure for the staff and board of Forefront member organizations to organize, mobilize, and provide accountability and support for group members in service of a common purpose and shared values.

Our Peer Skill Share connects Forefront member professionals across Illinois by pairing skill seekers and subject matter experts for one-on-one conversations about a particular subject.

By mobilizing a sector-wide response in Illinois, Forefront hopes to advance racial equity and create an environment in which communities of color thrive.

Our Racial Equity Collective (REC), a Forefront led multi-sector collaboration of DEI leaders, nonprofit and private sector organizations, philanthropic funders, and legislators, supports the scaling of racial equity infrastructure to fuel greater collaboration and more cohesive and strategic action throughout the state.

Our Policy and Government Affairs team works year-round at the state, federal, and local levels to educate, convene, and mobilize the people that govern to collectively build and support a social impact sector favorable for nonprofits, grantmakers, advisors, and allies to serve the people of Illinois.

By providing high quality and culturally competent programming, technical assistance, and strategic advocacy, Forefront will expand our reach, support, and influence across Illinois’ social impact sector to address the greatest needs of our members.

Our Library provides Forefront members free access to reports, templates, and other resources, and members can receive assistance with prospect research on foundations and individuals, salary surveys and job descriptions, and general research on philanthropic and nonprofit topics.

Our Mission Sustainability Initiative helps nonprofits thrive by providing the resources for leaders to explore collaboration and partnership strategies through confidential conversations, educational programming and toolkits, vetted consultant lists, and opportunities to apply for funding.

Forefront offers a variety of ongoing programming to support your organization’s nonprofit or grantmaking work. Click here to learn how membership could benefit your organization.

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