Programs

Education

The Foundation’s Education Program partners with schools and nonprofits that provide safe, culturally affirming, and inclusive spaces for young people to grow academically, socially, and emotionally. CFF emphasizes support for out-of-school time programs that expand learning beyond the school day.

Additionally, as part of CFF’s place-based approach and in response to the education strategies outlined in Austin’s 2018 Quality-of-Life plan, Austin Forward. Together., the Foundation also partners directly with several West Side schools to provide additional programs and wraparound supports to Austin students and families. We believe schools play a critical role in community vitality and development.

Employment

The Foundation supports short pathways to family-sustaining wages for people with multiple barriers to employment. Barriers include, but are not limited to, low numeracy and literacy skills, justice involvement, and unstable housing. The Foundation prioritizes organizations that provide general job preparation and placement, vocational training, foundational skills training, and systemic support.

Entrepreneurship

CFF believes that empowering local entrepreneurs can create jobs and build wealth on Chicago’s West Side. The proper support can be transformative, allowing small business owners to cultivate thriving enterprises. Thus, the Foundation funds nonprofits, such as Business Support Organizations, that provide training, coaching, and/or capital for individuals who desire to start or grow a business. Many of these nonprofits are known as Business Support Organizations (BSOs).

Food Security

The Foundation wants families and communities, primarily in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood, to thrive, and access to fresh food is a key component of that. Through its food security initiative, the Foundation supports several programs that address hunger and increase access to healthy food.

Additionally, CFF is a founding member of Austin Fresh, a five-year commitment to advancing Austin quality-of-life plan goals related to expanding healthy retail options, supporting community gardens and local food production, growing food enterprises, and protecting and strengthening food assistance programs. Austin Fresh is funded by The Builder’s Initiative, The Christopher Family Foundation, The Lumpkin Family Foundation, Food, Land, Opportunity, and the Walter Mander Foundation. Decisions are made with participation from Austin Coming Together.

Legacy and Special Projects

From time to time, CFF will support a special project, or make a contribution to an organization whose work falls outside of the four core program areas. These grants will only be made on the initiative of the Distribution Committee, with an invitation to apply. No unsolicited applications outside the core areas will be considered.