About Polk Bros. Foundation's Advisory Cohorts
As Polk Bros. Foundation moves through our transition period toward new goals, we want to ensure our future grantmaking strategies reflect the realities, wisdom and priorities of Chicago’s communities. That’s why we’ve launched three Advisory Cohorts — one for each of our new grantmaking goals:
- Closing the Life Expectancy Gap
- Building Community Wealth Across Generations
- Fostering a Participatory, Multiracial Democracy
These cohorts create space for candid conversation and shared learning. Their purpose is simple: help us pressure-test ideas, refine strategies and ensure our plans are grounded in what communities say they need most.
Each participating organization will receive a $75,000 flexible grant – totaling $2.025M in grants – in recognition of their work, time, partnership and leadership.
Why We Launched Advisory Cohorts
Advisory Cohorts allow us to bring together trusted voices from across Chicago and learn from lived experience and on-the-ground expertise. This is one of the ways we can help make sure our future grantmaking not only builds the future we envision but responds to the realities our communities face right now.
How We Selected Participants
Deep engagement and success advancing change in at least one of PBF’s goal areas
A cross-section of expertise, approaches and organization size
A range of Chicago neighborhoods and communities
Meaningful representation and lived experience
A mix of prior and first-time partners
What Cohort Members Will Do
1
Serve in an advisory capacity to help refine our grantmaking plans and communications
2
Offer a range of perspectives and expertise to inform our strategies and implementation
3
Participate in a series of facilitated meetings over one year
4
Provide feedback on emerging ideas and help us stay connected to community realities
5
While the Advisory Cohorts are not decision-making bodies, they will inform and strengthen our grantmaking
"These are challenging times, but what gives me hope is the wisdom and strength of Chicago’s communities. Listening to that wisdom has always been at the heart of everything we do — and it’s shaping the work ahead."
Gillian Darlow
CEO, Polk Bros. Foundation