As the connector of grantmakers, advisors, and nonprofits in Illinois, Forefront builds and supports Member and Peer Networks that facilitate ongoing projects, learning, and information-sharing about key issues facing our society.
Joining Forefront’s Member and Peer Networks is a great way to learn and network with colleagues. Groups sponsor lively discussions, develop educational programs, and create collaborative efforts to address relevant issues.
Arts and Culture Group
Chair:
Cate Fox, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
The Arts and Culture Group promotes professional development and knowledge sharing about issues, policies, and emerging trends relating to the arts and culture community, with the aim of learning about one another’s work and catalyzing collaborations, deepening understanding of the arts and culture sector, and contributing to its vitality.
Access your Network’s resources here.
Chicago Arts Education Collaborative
Co-chairs:
JC Aevaliotis, Polk Bros. Foundation
Kalena Chevalier, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
The Chicago Arts Education Collaborative works to address inequities in the availability and quality of arts education programs for Chicago Public School students.
Access your Network’s resources here.
Education Group
Chair:
Sydney Sidwell, Lloyd A. Fry Foundation
The Education Group is comprised of these subgroups:
Access all Education Network resources here.
Environmental Group
The Environmental Group provides an arena for discussion of issues and topics of interest to environmental funders, and for identification of opportunities to partner for collaborative giving to further environmental solutions.
Access your Network’s resources here.
Family Foundations Committee
Co-chairs:
MaryAnn Roeser, The Duchossois Family Foundation
John Hicks, The Siragusa Family Foundation
The Family Foundations Member Network addresses challenges and opportunities relevant to family foundations.
Access your Network’s resources here.
Grantmaker Finance Roundtable
Co-chairs:
Elva Gonzalez, Healthy Communities Foundation
Lisa Derezinski, Community Memorial Foundation
The Grantmaker Finance Roundtable offers CFOs and CIOs the opportunity to learn about accounting, investment, and other finance-related issues in philanthropy.
Healthcare Affinity Group
Co-chairs:
Nora Garcia, Healthy Communities Foundation
Kate O’Connor, Grant Healthcare Foundation
The Healthcare Affinity Group is an arena for networking, discussion on health issues of mutual interest to funders, and creating pathways to synergistic giving and collaboration.
Access your Network’s resources here.
Philanthropy CEO Roundtable
The Philanthropy CEO Roundtable offers Forefront’s grantmaking members the opportunity to engage in private, highly interactive peer level discussions about current challenges and leading practices.
Contact Lisa Simpson to join this Member Network.
Leadership Roundtables
These networks, designed for CEOs and Executive Directors, allow Forefront members an opportunity to engage in peer dialogue about current challenges and leading practices in the social impact sector. Members share and develop strategies to be applied to their own organizations on topics such as leadership development, board engagement, and staff retention. Share your best practices, work through individual issues, collaborate, and network.
Co-chairs: Michele Zurakowski, Beyond Hunger, and Esther Franco-Payne, Cabrini Green Legal Aid
Contact Suzy Lee to join this network.
Arts and Culture Group
Chair:
Cate Fox, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
The Arts and Culture Group promotes professional development and knowledge sharing about issues, policies, and emerging trends relating to the arts and culture community, with the aim of learning about one another’s work and catalyzing collaborations, deepening understanding of the arts and culture sector, and contributing to its vitality.
Access your Network’s resources here.
Education: College and Career Access, Persistence, and Success (CCAPS)
(CCAPS) is a learning community focused on increasing postsecondary opportunities and outcomes for Chicago-area students.
Learn more about CCAPS here.
Fund Development Network (Springfield)
The Fund Development Network supports fund development professionals and helps further hone their skills and competencies through educational programming, networking, and peer-to-peer support.
Access your Network’s resources here, or contact Sarah Tapscott at our Springfield office to join this Peer Network.
Program Professionals Network (Springfield)
The Program Professionals Network supports the growth, learning, and development of program professionals through educational programming, networking, and peer-to-peer support.
Access your Network’s resources here, or contact Sarah Tapscott at our Springfield office to join this Peer Network.
Forefront’s COO reviews and approves member proposals to establish a new Member Network. Consult with Lisa May Simpson or Kenneatha Montgomery for guidance on submitting a new Member Network proposal, which should include:
At least five (5) Forefront Member organizations that have signed onto the group