Understanding Migration in Chicago
Strengthening public narratives and awareness of migration in Chicago through journalism, research, storytelling and community dialogues
Walder Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals at this time. This web page is provided for organizations that have been invited to apply for a grant.
OVERVIEW
We are inviting proposals for one- to two-year projects that strengthen public narratives and awareness of migration in Chicago through journalism, research, storytelling and community dialogues. Walder Foundation intends to award up to $1,000,000 in grants that can demonstrate measurable impact during the grant period and support Chicago’s future as a welcoming region.
BACKGROUND
The Chicago region is a historic gateway for immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. It has long served as a place of opportunity for those who seek it and as a refuge for those who need it. Diverse populations from around the country and the world have helped shape the metropolitan region’s economy, culture, neighborhoods, and identity. The City of Chicago and the State of Illinois are national leaders for advancing welcoming policies, and a range of nonprofit organizations, universities, and businesses offer services and programs that help welcome, resettle, and integrate migrants. Yet a key ingredient to being a welcoming community is found in the public square, and in how residents perceive, understand, and value migration.
Through a request for proposals for “Understanding Migration in Chicago,” the Walder Foundation aims to strengthen public narratives and awareness about the complexity and impact of migration in the region. Journalism is one platform to shape public discourse and knowledge. A recent study identified areas that were not covered frequently in Chicago media, including the root causes of migration, direct interviews with migrants, and the positive contributions of immigrants in Chicago. New multimedia tools and original research also provide creative avenues to reach broad audiences across geographic, political, and demographic landscapes. Equally important are the intentional spaces created for exchanging divergent viewpoints, sharing lived experiences, and building unity. Through this funding opportunity, the Walder Foundation seeks to support initiatives that reach both broad and targeted audiences with the stories, data, and relationships that are shaping and will shape the region’s future attitudes toward advancing a welcoming society.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY
This opportunity is by invitation only. One-year grants between $25,000 and $100,000 will be awarded to nonprofit organizations that propose initiatives to strengthen the public narrative about migration in Chicago. Two-year grants between $25,000 and $100,000 per year will be considered that include a detailed sustainability plan and timeline. A total of up to $1,000,000 in grants will be awarded in 2024.
Grants will be awarded based on a variety of criteria, including ability to engage either hard-to-reach communities or public audiences at scale, to provide innovative approaches and new data analyses, to fill gaps in the current narrative landscape, and to contribute meaningful impact. Funding will be prioritized to organizations that have a track record in shaping public dialogue and in navigating highly complex and nuanced topics. The amount of the grant will be determined by the proposed budget as well as the size of the project relative to the organization’s budget.
Collaborations and partnerships are highly encouraged and letters of support or a Memorandum of Agreement are requested.
Please know that as Walder Foundation strategies and grant initiatives continue to evolve, this RFP is a one-time opportunity. Applicants should not have any expectations that awarded grants will be renewed beyond the scope of this RFP. Please keep this in mind when planning for the sustainability of this work.
Examples of projects may include:
Nonprofit journalism that amplifies stories of migration in Chicago, including the root causes of migration, country-of-origin conditions, direct quotes from those with lived experiences, explainers of the complexity of the US immigration system, and the impact of migration in Chicago
Research initiatives that examine the Chicago region’s challenges with migration, elevate best practices, feature recent data trends, and identify opportunities to improve welcoming policies, programs and responses
Community roundtables and relationship-building strategies designed to address tensions, share divergent perspectives, engage new allies, and develop plans for increased unity
Creative multimedia projects, including digital interactives, educational documentaries, and oral history projects that explore stories of migration in Chicago and can be widely disseminated
Strategic communications and timely campaigns led by immigrant- and refugee-serving organizations that uplift the experiences, challenges, and dreams of the populations they serve
Trainings, workshops, frameworks, and fellowships that expand the field of trauma-informed storytellers and journalists in Chicago to improve how stories of migration are communicated
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Applicants must be a registered Section 501(c)(3) organization classified as a Section 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) public charity, or a project within a fiscal sponsor organization that meets this requirement.
Applicants with a mission that uplifts immigrant, refugee, and asylum-seeker communities will be prioritized.
Applicants must make materials, projects, or initiatives available to public audiences at no cost.
Applicants must be either located in the greater Chicago metropolitan region (Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, or Will counties) or whose work will be centered on the communities of the Chicago metropolitan area.
What we will not fund through this grants opportunity:
Activities, publications, or products that can be bought or sold
For-profit media companies
Individuals or freelance creatives
Fundraising events
Capital projects
Debt reduction
Projects or organizations that perpetuate any form of hate, discrimination, or intolerance
Projects intended to influence legislation, to influence the outcome of any election for public office, to carry on any voter registration drive, or to undertake any activity for a purpose other than charitable, scientific, educational or other purposes specified in Section 170(c)(2)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code.
SELECTION CRITERIA
The following criteria will be used when determining which organizations will be prioritized for grant awards:
Impact
Does the proposal focus on addressing an issue that is particularly complicated, divisive, or misunderstood?
Will the project bring clarity and nuance to the complexity of migration?
Will the project reach the public-at-large or engage new audiences, with a particular emphasis on hard-to-reach communities?
Does the proposal have the ability to shape public understanding or policy in the Chicago region?
Alignment
Does the organization prioritize uplifting immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in the Chicago region and advancing an inclusive city for all?
Does the proposal align with Walder Foundation goals to ensure that residents have a more nuanced understanding of the complexity of migration and an appreciation for the local contributions of immigrants and refugees?
Leadership
Can the leadership of the organization articulate a vision for an inclusive, welcoming city that is sensitive to both the experiences of migrants and of residents?
Does the team leading the project have a track-record of experience working on similar initiatives, and in centering the humanity and dignity of migrant communities?
Creativity
Will the project provide new analysis, policy recommendations, data, or tools to inform public narratives?
Will the outputs or outcomes be engaging, interactive, and accessible?
Will the activities, such as storytelling, trainings, community tables, or publications include new approaches that have the potential for increased impact?
Collaboration
Will the project partner directly with migrant communities?
Does the proposal include new collaborations that can expand reach and engage new perspectives?
Have consequences, including potential unintended consequences, been considered to mitigate any possible harm?
Feasibility
Does the project align with the organization’s mission?
Is the proposal feasible with the resources, time, and capacity needed?
The Walder Foundation is committed to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion. We encourage applicants from underrepresented backgrounds and/or projects that improve outcomes for those from underrepresented backgrounds.
TIMELINE
Application invitation: DECEMBER 2023
Application due: FEBRUARY 13, 2024
Grant notification: MAY 2024
APPLICATION PROCESS
To apply, you will need to create an account in foundationConnect, Walder Foundation’s grants management system. To create an account, you will need your organization’s EIN.
1. Create an account in foundationConnect and save an application
Click on the link below and choose Create New Account:
Understanding Migration in Chicago
You will receive a confirmation email from grants@walderfoundation.org. Click on the link in the email to verify your email address. You will receive a second email from grants@walderfoundation.org. Click the link in the second email to create your password, sign into your account, and start and save a new application. To save an application, complete the first field, Project Title (you can change this later), and then choose Save. If you do not enter and save a Project Title, your application will not save.
IMPORTANT: If you do not start your application immediately after receiving the confirmation email, you will need to return to this page and click the link above to be directed to the application form.
Walder Foundation Grantee Portal
If you are already registered in our grants management system, click on the link above and choose “Sign In” to be directed to the application.
2. Continue to work on and submit your application
Once you have saved an application, use the link below to resume work and submit your application:
You will be able to log in any time (up until the deadline) to work on your application and save your progress. We recommend creating your account early to familiarize yourself with the system and the application form.
View a sample proposal form for complete requirements
An automated email confirmation is generated upon submission of the application. If you do not receive a confirmation within 24 hours of submitting your application, please check your spam folder and then contact: grants@walderfoundation.org
NARRATIVE PROPOSAL QUESTIONS
Within the Uploads section of your application (the last tab), as the Narrative Proposal upload, please provide responses to the following questions as a Microsoft Word document or a PDF. The words limits noted below are only guidelines for the individual sections. Your responses should be no more than three pages in total.
The document should be formatted as follows:
A separate section header and response for each question below
Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman font
11-point font or larger
At least 0.5” margins all around
Single-spaced document
Standard character spacing (neither expanded nor condensed)
Grant Request Information:
1) Describe the narrative challenge and context this project seeks to address. (500 words or less)
2) What vision does this project intend to achieve? (200 words or less)
3) Who is the target audience for the project, and why? (150 words or less)
4) What are the proposal details, including phases, activities, timeline, partnerships, and strategies for outreach and engagement? (500 words or less)
5) How is this approach unique or contributing a new solution to addressing the challenge? (200 words or less)
6) How will the success of the project be evaluated? (200 words or less)
7) What is the plan for sustainability of this project beyond the grant period? (150 words or less)
8) What possible risks or consequences, particularly unintended consequences, have been considered, and what steps would be taken to mitigate unintended harm or misunderstanding? (200 words or less)
9) Describe the organization’s experience or past achievements in shaping narratives about migration in the Chicago region. (200 words or less)
10) What additional information would you like to share about this application that has not been asked? (150 words or less)
Organization Information:
11) Please briefly describe your organization’s mission and history. (200 words or less)
12) How has your organization adapted and learned to address challenges and pursue new opportunities? (200 words or less)
13) Summarize the overall financial health of your organization. Include how your organization conducts financial planning and any budget deficits or other notable financial issues your organization has experienced in the past three years. (150 words or less)
ADDITIONAL REQUIRED UPLOADS
As an “other” upload at the end, please include any additional supplemental materials, including a letter of support or memorandum of understanding from each contemplated partnering organization, (if applicable.)
CONTACT INFORMATION
For inquiries about the content of your application, send an email to immigration@walderfoundation.org.
For inquiries about the grants management system, send an email to grants@walderfoundation.org.