Request for Proposals: Next Generation Power-Building

With the United States marking its 250th anniversary in 2026, it is a reminder that the nation itself was founded from collective action, rooted in resistance, and a shared commitment to enshrine those freedoms in the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Here in Chicago, that legacy continues. Our city’s rich history shows how Chicago has played a central role in movements advancing workplace dignity, civil rights, and racial justice, among many others. Throughout history, young people have been at the forefront of efforts to uphold and expand our founding ideals, from civil rights and women’s suffrage to immigrant, disability, and LGBTQ+ rights, driving broader pluralistic movements that address root causes of neighborhood disinvestment and create the conditions for marginalized communities to thrive and achieve justice.

At Polk Bros. Foundation, we are committed to making Chicago a place where all people can reach their full potential. As part of our ongoing strategic evolution to address longstanding disparities, we have made a deep commitment to Fostering Participatory, Multiracial Democracy. We believe that today, truly representative democracy in Chicago remains constrained by the enduring impacts of unjust systems and policies, forces that have divided communities, eroded trust in civic institutions, and fueled skepticism about individuals’ ability to effect meaningful change.

The COVID-19 pandemic, along with the protests for justice in 2020, laid these inequities bare. They revealed persistent gaps in power and influence across many Chicago neighborhoods, particularly on the south and west sides. At the same time, these moments also illuminated what is possible. We witnessed powerful mutual aid networks emerge, with neighbors supporting one another through profound uncertainty. We also saw cross-community collective action take shape in our streets, demanding a more just and equitable city.

For democracy to truly thrive, those most impacted by Chicago’s greatest challenges must be fully engaged in shaping narratives, influencing decisions, and holding systems accountable. In recent years, Polk Bros. Foundation has undertaken a deliberate effort to embed these principles more deeply into our grantmaking. We have engaged in an extensive strategic planning process, informed by conversations with philanthropic peers, civic leaders, and, most importantly, community voices, including members of our Participatory, Multiracial Democracy Advisory Cohort. These learnings have reinforced the need to strengthen and sustain the many innovative power-building efforts already underway across Chicago.

We believe this work must begin with, and be led by, young people.

Contrary to common narratives, young people in Chicago are eager to lead, contribute, and solve pressing challenges in their communities. Too often, what’s needed is not more direction, but more space, trust, and support. Through this RFP, we are seeking proposals that center youth voice and agency, and empower young people to identify and act on issues that matter most to them.

We recognize that young people engage in civic life in different ways and at different stages. To reflect this, we have developed a power-building continuum that outlines these multiple entry points for youth leadership and action:

• Mutual aid
• Coalition-building
• Community organizing
• Policy advocacy
• Co-governance

We welcome youth-identified and youth-led initiatives addressing distinct community challenges through a range of approaches aligned with these entry points along the power-building continuum and consistent with 501(c)(3) requirements.

Democracy thrives when community voice, especially that of the next generation, drives collective action. We envision a Chicago where civic life is vibrant, inclusive, and shaped by the voices of all residents. We see this RFP as the first of many opportunities to advance this vision, starting with the young people who will define Chicago’s future.

Young Chicagoans have often been misrepresented through harmful narratives that typically rely on isolated incidents and sensationalized moments to create exaggerated, misleading stories about an entire generation. Embedded in that framing is the assumption that young people desire to be disengaged from civic life – which is not true. According to a recent study, youth civic engagement has increased in the past decade with historically high voter turnout in each election cycle since 2018. Beyond elections, one in five youth has engaged in issue advocacy and 66% have discussed politics with friends. And while local and systemic approaches to increase civic engagement beyond politics exist, such as volunteering in local community groups, young people are far too often excluded. Yet, when developed, organized, and mobilized, youth have created significant impact and important change in their communities.

In most instances, Black, Latine, lower income, and/or less formally educated individuals engage civically at lower rates than White people or those with higher education or income. Schools are critical spaces of civic learning with nearly 20% of youth of color, and one third of Latine youthrelying on school to learn about elections and voting, creating a high dependence on schools for civic education and limiting entry points for youth participation. This dynamic is compounded by economic barriers, as youth are less likely to take civic action if they are struggling financially. Together, these constraints continue structural inequities that determine which young people are engaged and which are excluded.

Specific to Chicago, in 2024, 15.8% of Black 16- to 19-year-olds were out-of-school and jobless, compared to 6.9% of Latine youth and 1% of White youth. Additionally, almost half (46.6%) of Black young adults ages 20-24 were jobless – more than twice the rate of their White peers (18.9%) – primarily impacting youth on the south and west sides. The absence of many young people in the pathways that lead to higher civic engagement makes clear the need to center youth participation in civic life from a different access point. This access point must be grounded in the communities where young people reside and spend their time, as traditional approaches do not consistently reach or engage all youth. Community-led initiatives rooted in power-building create needed opportunities to elevate youth voice, agency, and leadership using methods that place young people at the core and foster their participation.

When the definition of civic engagement is narrowed to voting or volunteering, an apparent gap exists in the participation of Black, Latine, and lower-income Chicagoans. However, when this definition is expanded to include engagement in activities within the power-building continuum like community organizing efforts, policy advocacy, and issue-based campaigns, often common in these communities, participation figures increase.

Since Gen Z and Millennials will comprise more than half of the adult population by 2028, Polk Bros. Foundation seeks to nurture and elevate civic leadership among young people across Chicago’s neighborhoods by supporting community organizing, non-legislative policy advocacy, coalition building, co-governance, mutual aid, and/or other power-building strategies along the continuum that clearly demonstrate a youth-identified objective, youth voice, agency, leadership, and self-determination.

This funding opportunity is intended to support near-term progress while laying the groundwork for sustained impact. Within the grant period, projects should demonstrate measurable progress and early indicators of impact, while contributing to longer-term systems change and asset-building in Chicago’s neighborhoods.

Through this funding opportunity, short-term outcomes may include:

• Engaged youth across multiple stages of the power-building continuum with increase in number involved, knowledge gained on the issue, and leadership responsibility
• Increased participation and leadership of youth in civic activities
• Strengthened trust between youth and decision-makers to support sustained civic engagement and collective action aimed at addressing a social issue impacting community
• Demonstrated increase in civic knowledge by youth and directly impacted community members, leading to sustained engagement (e.g., changes in local decision-making structures, policy processes, avenues for influence)

Over time, this work is intended to contribute towards the following outcomes:

• Increased presence of youth-led and youth-informed platforms to amplify community issues, build awareness, and drive advocacy
• Expanded feedback loops between youth, community members and decision-makers leading to more responsive, collaborative, and accountable governance
• Increased access to and utilization of third spaces that foster youth and community connection, civic engagement and identity, leadership development, and pathways for collective action
• Increased youth-led efforts influencing policy, systemic practices, institutional norms, and resource access and allocation locally and citywide
• Increased representation of youth (especially from historically excluded communities) in decision-making and community impacting spaces
• Increased youth-led efforts that shape and change policies and practices addressing root causes of social issues, leading to safer neighborhoods, increased access to resources, and stronger, more connected communities

Applicants are not expected to achieve long-term outcomes within the grant period but should demonstrate how their work contributes to building the conditions necessary to realize them over time. We anticipate measuring success through a combination of tangible outcomes (e.g., individuals engaged, communities involved, movement towards systemic or policy change, coalition creation, etc.) and leading indicators that capture early momentum (e.g., increased confidence, knowledge, and relationships); this RFP funding is intended to support progress and learning that may inform future rounds of funding.

Through this process, we are particularly interested in understanding:

• Areas where philanthropic dollars can be most catalytic
• Gaps in financing, technical assistance, or ecosystem infrastructure
• Barriers that limit growth, implementation, or long-term sustainability
• Opportunities for stronger coordination across efforts in Chicago

The goals and outcomes listed above can be achieved through many approaches. This RFP seeks to provide support to organizations that take one or more of the following specific approaches to their work:

• Providing immediate intervention by offering youth-centered mutual aid efforts or other youth-informed social services
• Strengthening community power and influence through youth-led community organizing efforts, non-lobbying policy and advocacy efforts, and expanding opportunities to collaborate with other sectors to share resources, build partnerships and increase programming
• Building an ecosystem of systems change by advancing activities aligned with the Funders Collaborative on Youth Organizing’s (FCYO) Power to Win framework which centers youth voice, agency and self-determination, such as youth representation in coalition leadership and decision-making roles
• Facilitating community innovation by expanding opportunities to pilot efforts that test new civic engagement approaches, learning from youth, and scaling youth-led, power-building initiatives

Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate depth and breadth in one or more of the approaches through their programs or initiatives. Through these grants, we intend to build greater understanding of the key role of youth in fostering participatory, multiracial democracy.

PBF is seeking proposals for youth-led collective action initiatives that address specific issues of significance to young Chicagoans (ages 26 and under). Eligible projects may include community organizing, non-legislative policy advocacy, mutual aid, and other power-building strategies, but must clearly demonstrate authentic youth voice, agency, and self-determination.

To be considered for this RFP, applicants must articulate a clear civic goal or objective that is connected to Chicago and describe how it was identified, as well as how it continues to reflect the priorities of the young people leading the work and how the young people articulate its contributions to affecting change in their neighborhoods.

Preference will be given to proposals that include one or more of the following elements:

• Policy and/or systems change objective(s) that are aligned closely with PBF’s strategic goals: Building Community Wealth Across Generations, Closing the Life Expectancy Gap, and Fostering Participatory, Multiracial Democracy
• Narrative-shifting work that centers youth as leaders and valued community assets
• A multigenerational strategy that also engages younger and/or older community members
• Cross-community solidarity principles intentionally embedded in program design and delivery
• Arts-focused activities or initiatives that serve as a catalyst for civic engagement
• Alignment with FCYO’s Power to Win framework

Note: Projects may not be used for any activities prohibited by laws governing the work and grants of private foundations, lobbying or electioneering activities as defined by Section 501(c)(3), or any activities that incite political violence. Proposed activities must be structured in a way to avoid private benefit or inurement.

Organizations that meet the eligibility criteria and see alignment with this opportunity are invited to apply through a two-phase application process.

Phase I: Open Call – Letter of Interest (LOI) – Two pages maximum (Use the fillable form provided below and on the Foundation’s website and grantmaking site)

All eligible organizations may submit a Letter of Interest (LOI) that includes the components below. The LOI for this funding opportunity will be evaluated based on the level of alignment with the priority activities described in this RFP and Polk Bros. Foundation’s strategic goals. To capture the information needed to evaluate the submitted LOIs, please provide a short response that addresses all the components listed below.

• Organizational Overview:
  • Mission – include the organization’s mission statement
  • Organization Description – include a few sentences on the description of the organization’s history and core work
• Grant Request Information:
  • Overview - provide a concise summary of this grant request, clearly identifying the issue to be addressed and highlighting your organization’s track record of centering youth voice and leadership
  • Description of Activities - detail the power-building tactic(s) employed by the youth you work with to advance their civic goals, and explain why these approaches are the most effective use of your organization’s people power
  • Neighborhoods Served - identify the Chicago neighborhood(s) in which your organization operates and describe what makes these communities well-positioned for youth-led power-building efforts
  • Demonstrated Experience - cite key campaign victories and/or progress to date
• Additional Requested Documents (not counted toward two-page limit):
  • Organizational Budgets – include 1) last full year’s itemized revenue and expenses, as well as 2) current fiscal year’s budget with itemized revenue and expenses
  • If a program or organization is fiscally sponsored, the fiscal sponsor must be the applicant submitting the LOI and provide required information. This will include a copy of the fiscal sponsorship agreement between the sponsor and the sponsored project.

Once reviewed and evaluated, organizations may be invited to submit a full proposal. Not all organizations will advance to Phase II. Those selected to submit a full proposal in Phase II will be based on qualifications of the organizations and the work proposed within this LOI.

Phase II: Invitation to Apply - Full Proposal

Organizations invited to submit a full proposal will be notified on July 20, 2026. Full proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Community Need - describe the key challenges facing the community or neighborhood in which you operate, and explain how mobilizing youth assets serves as an effective response
  • In this section, please describe in further detail the specific social issue identified by the young people you work with, and explain how building power will serve as an effective strategy for addressing it
  • Identify any third spaces your organization leverages to advance its goals
• Theory of Change - recognizing that power-building is inherently long-term work, provide a comprehensive explanation of how and why your desired long-term outcomes will be achieved
  • include the strategies and activities that lead up to these outcomes
  • share how your organization defines and assesses impact
• Proposed Activities and Implementation - describe in detail how support from PBF will advance your goals, including the specific activities, timeline, and anticipated outputs
• Youth Governance Structure - explain how youth play a leading role in shaping organizational priorities, and how civic leadership development and education are embedded throughout your work
  • If applicable, describe how your approach aligns with FCYO’s Power to Win framework
• Partnerships and Collaboration - describe your approach to partnerships, including key considerations in selecting collaborators
  • Who are your organization’s partners, and what is the purpose of those partnerships?
• Long-Term Vision and Sustainability - explain how your organization will sustain this work beyond the term of a PBF grant
• Annotated Project Budget, if applicable - provide a detailed budget and accompanying narrative that clearly connects expenses to project activities, deliverables, and required resources

One-year (12-month) grants will support programs and operations and range from $50,000 to $75,000.

To be considered eligible for funding under this RFP, organizations must be:

• A nonprofit organization that has been determined and is currently recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt public charity described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, that is not a private foundation described in Section 509(a) or a supporting organization described in Section 509(a)(3), and that operates exclusively for charitable/educational purposes*
• Based in and primarily serve Chicago residents
• Place youth in meaningful, decision-making roles within the organization’s governance structure
• Lead work that falls within one or more components of PBF’s Power-Building Continuum framework
• Demonstrate the ability to build and maintain active coalitions of young, next generation leaders
• Demonstrate viability of financial sustainability plan and how further support will be leveraged
• Use funds solely for charitable purposes

*For fiscally-sponsored organizations, submissions will only be accepted from the fiscal sponsor. Per law, fiscal sponsors assume full legal and financial responsibility for the fiscally sponsored organization/project, acting as its official entity, including fiduciary oversight of funds, tax compliance, and ensuring the project operates in accordance with 501(c)(3) regulations. Accordingly, fiscally-sponsored organizations without 501(c)(3) status must identify a fiscal sponsor as soon as possible and ask the sponsor to complete an organization profile in Polk Bros. Foundation’s grants management system, Fluxx, in order to submit an LOI. Fiscal sponsors must log in to complete and certify their organization profile in Fluxx at https://polkbrosfdn.fluxx.io/user_sessions/new. An agreement confirming the project’s relationship with the fiscal sponsor is also required as part of the grant application.

An organization’s tax status is verified in the Fluxx registration process. To complete registration, you will be required to upload a copy of the organization’s 501(c)(3) determination letter from the IRS.

Please note that the Fluxx registration approval process may take up to two business days and applicants should plan accordingly.

Polk Bros. Foundation’s grants will not support the following activities:

• To pay down existing project debt
• To fund individuals
• For any activities that result in private benefit or inurement, including direct support of for-profit businesses or commercial ventures
• For any activities prohibited by laws governing the work and grants of private foundations, lobbying or electioneering activities, or activities that incite political violence
• For any activities inconsistent with private foundation regulations

Grant funds will be restricted to uses that are outlined in the awardee’s grant application.

Sharing successes and challenges in achieving key measures of progress is essential to the field’s collective learning, informed decision-making, and overall impact. Accordingly, the Foundation will request a one-year follow-up report detailing the awarded project’s progress and lessons learned.

Awardees will be asked to report measures of progress that may include:

• Power Mapping and Strategy: How have you identified key decision-makers, allies, opponents, and lines of influence to strategically focus organizing efforts for maximum impact?
• Stakeholder Engagement: Have you convened a representative group of young people, particularly those most directly impacted by the challenges?
• Information and Capacity Building: How have you equipped stakeholders with information on current policies, practices, and relevant options to support informed participation?
• Alignment and Priority Setting: Have you facilitated a process for stakeholders to co-develop shared recommendations grounded in lived experience?
• Messaging and Mobilization: How have you developed and deployed messages that activate key audiences, including those with strong influence over decision-making?
• Non-legislative Advocacy and Policymaker Engagement: How have young people been effectively organized to engage decision-makers? Have key decision-makers publicly championed the proposals?
• Policy Advancement and Adoption: How have any related policy proposals advanced through meaningful stages?
• Implementation and Accountability: Is the policy being implemented in alignment with the original intent and principles? How have decision-maker champions been leveraged to support effective implementation?
• Evaluation and Impact: Is relevant data available to assess outcomes? How have you evaluated the policy’s impact on intended beneficiaries and its progress toward stated goals?

• Open application is released on May 4, 2026
• Phase I – Letters of Interest deadline is 5:00 p.m. on June 5, 2026. Applications will be reviewed by a review committee selected by the Polk Bros. Foundation Programs Team.
• Phase II - By July 20, 2026, selected applicants receive an invitation to complete a full proposal.

Site visits will be conducted between late August and early September. Phase II applicants will receive a separate email inviting them to register for a time for a site visit. The full proposal deadline is 5:00 p.m. on August 14, 2026. Applications will be reviewed by the Polk Bros. Foundation Programs Team.

Funding decisions will be made on November 11, 2026 and applicants will be notified by November 13, 2026.

Application Process, Technology and Logistics

Are there page, word, or character limits for the LOI or application sections?
The LOI is a two-page fillable form with a required font size. For budgets, submit your organizational budget. If invited to Phase II, you can submit a project-specific budget.
Can an organization submit more than one application?
Please limit submissions to one application per organization.
How should large organizations or universities handle multiple departments or programs interested in applying?
Organizations of all sizes should limit their submissions to one application. Limited exceptions may be made for organizations serving as fiscal sponsors.
How can organizations add additional users to the Fluxx portal?
For technical questions regarding the use of the Fluxx grants portal, email [email protected].
Where can applicants access the application portal, webinar slides, or webinar recording?
https://www.polkbrosfdn.org/our-transition-period-how-were-preparing-for-future-grantmaking/next-generation-power-building/
Is this the final RFP opportunity before September 2026?
Yes, this is the last of 3 RFPs released by Polk Bros. Foundation before September 2026.

Budgets, Evaluation and Reporting

Does Polk Bros. anticipate applicants leveraging additional funding sources alongside this grant?
No, this grant opportunity does not require additional funding sources.
What budget materials and financial documents are required as a part of the application?
Organizations are expected to provide organizational budgets from the current and previous year and a project budget. If a fiscal sponsor is being used, the fiscal sponsor is expected to provide organizational budgets for the current and previous year.
What should organizations do if their most recent audit or 990 form is not yet complete?
You can apply using your FY2024 Form 990. If the portal disqualifies you, please email [email protected] for assistance.
What are the expectations for evaluation, outcomes measurement and reporting?
Projects should demonstrate measurable progress and early indicators of impact, while contributing to longer-term systems change and asset-building in Chicago’s neighborhoods. The Foundation will request a one-year follow-up report detailing the awarded project's progress and lessons. (Refer to the Goals, Outcomes and Learning of the Next Generation Power-Building RFP: https://www.polkbrosfdn.org/our-transition-period-how-were-preparing-for-future-grantmaking/next-generation-power-building/)

Civic Engagement, Power-building and Policy Work

How does Polk Bros. define civic engagement, civic action, and power-building within this RFP? How is this different from leadership development?
Leadership development transitions into power-building when it is connected to a clear civic goal or objective. The activities outlined in the power-building continuum offer some of the strongest examples of this work, including advocacy, community organizing, and civic action, but not direct lobbying. If this might apply to your organization, please familiarize yourself with the distinctions between advocacy and lobbying as defined by the IRS.
Guidance on political and lobbying activities for charitable organizations:
https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/charitable-organizations/political-and-lobbying-activities
How should organizations think about advocacy, lobbying and policy-related activities with a 501(c)(3) framework?
If this might apply to your organization, please familiarize yourself with the distinctions between advocacy and lobbying as defined by the IRS.
Guidance on political and lobbying activities for charitable organizations:
https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/charitable-organizations/political-and-lobbying-activities
How specific does a proposed "clear policy goal" need to be in the application?
The civic objective should be pre-identified by young people at the LOI/application stage. While specificity is valued, the goal should align with the power-building framework rather than general direct service.
Can youth participants identify or refine the civic issue area during the program itself rather than before the application is submitted?
The strongest proposals will demonstrate a clear commitment to a well-defined issue or civic objective.
Will Polk Bros. prioritize projects focused on a single advocacy issue area or projects supporting multiple youth-led issue priorities?
PBF will not give preference to applicants based on whether they select one or multiple issue areas. However, organizations proposing work across multiple issue areas should clearly explain why a multi-issue approach is more appropriate than focusing on a single issue.

Eligibility and Organization Fit

What types of organizations and projects are the best fit for this RFP?
The best fit proposals will reflect a clear civic goal or objective that is connected to Chicago, identified by youth, reflective of their priorities, and place youth in leading roles of the work. Projects may be core programming or innovative but should reflect a direct connection to the mission of your organization. The RFP outlines requirements and preferred elements in the Grantmaking Criteria section.
Does youth civic engagement or power-building work need to be the organization's primary focus to be eligible?
The strongest proposals will indicate an established commitment to youth leadership and influence within the organization. While a youth-specific focus does not need to be primary to your organization, civic engagement and power-building should be core and standing focus areas.
Is a dedicated youth program required to apply?
A dedicated youth program is not necessarily required. However, power-building must be primary to the grant request. Organizations that engage youth as part of broader community organizing are more likely to be considered more favorably.
Are organizations eligible if youth are engaged in programming but not currently involved in organizational governance or decision-making structures?
While placing youth in governance roles is valued, it's not strictly required. The focus is more on programs that give youth leadership skills. Organizations planning to develop these structures may still be a good fit.
Are school-based youth leadership or civic engagement programs eligible?
Programs and/or organizations may be school-based as long as a clear civic goal or objective is present in the proposal and youth organizing is a core approach.
Are research-based, journalism, or arts-based civic engagement projects eligible? What are examples of eligible projects within these areas?
Yes, we invite approaches that center artivism, journalism, research, or other practices that merge creative expression and social action to catalyze civic engagement. All eligible projects should center work and presentations around a youth-identified and -driven civic goal or objective.
Are universities or large institutions eligible to apply?
Yes, if the university/institution is a 501(c)(3) organization and the program/project is intended to serve Chicago city proper.
Are organizations located outside Chicago city limits eligible if the proposed work serves Chicago youth or communities?
Yes, as long as the proposed project/program primarily serves Chicago communities.
Must projects focus on a single neighborhood, or can they serve multiple neighborhoods or city-wide communities?
Projects can serve one or more Chicago neighborhoods or a city-wide community. There is no requirement to focus on a single neighborhood.
Is there a preferred age range for youth participants?
We define population served as "up to age 26". Any project with an age group under that is welcomed to apply.
Do applicants need prior experience working with youth in Chicago specifically?
As long as the program is primarily serving Chicago residents/youth, the project is eligible to be considered for this RFP.

Program Alignment and Collaboration

Are collaborative or coalition-based proposals encouraged?
Yes, collaborative projects are welcomed and even favored. One organization should submit the application and indicate in the body that it's a collaborative proposal.
Can fiscally sponsored organizations participate in collaborative proposals?
Yes, but please note that the amount awarded for a project will be $50,000-$75,000.
How should collaborative applications be submitted through Fluxx?
One application may be submitted. Please indicate in the body that it is a collaborative proposal and include which organizations will be involved.
For collaborative proposals, does the funding cap apply per proposal or per participating organization?
Awards for single and/or collaborative projects are between $50,000-$75,000.
Can grant funds support ongoing campaigns or multi-year work? Or only new initiatives?
Both! This funding can support ongoing campaigns/projects or new initiatives. There is no preference for existing programs, expansions, or new programs.
Is this grant for direct service projects?
Not primarily. While some activities like mutual aid may be considered direct service, the key is that activities must be tied to a specific civic objective aligned with the power-building framework.