Blog

The Christopher Family Foundation believes wholeheartedly in its mission of supporting family well-being. For us this means fostering access to: (1) jobs that provide dignity; (2) entrepreneurship pathways that can build intergenerational stability; (3) high-quality education, and (4) healthy food.  If you’ve read the Foundation’s history, you’ll see that its roots were in the family home. Our founders prioritize family and recognize the value of giving to and sharing with others. When they sought to make a greater impact in a defined location, they chose a community known to the family: Austin, on the West Side of Chicago.

Per Chicago Metropolitan’s Agency for Planning (CMAP), Austin is one of Chicago’s largest neighborhoods with a population of 98,882. Geographically it is the largest. It has historic homes and is well-situated near both public transportation and commuter routes to downtown Chicago. It’s also near where the founders lived and still attend church. To many, however, Austin is known for a high rate of unemployment and crime, gang activity, and minimal amenities typically sought by homeowners (such as shops, restaurants, and grocery stores).

While the community has faced its share of challenges, much due to historic disinvestment, it has not been dormant. Its 2019-2024 Quality-of-Life Plan encompasses 7 issue areas: Community Narrative, Education, Housing, Youth Empowerment, Economic Development, Public Safety, and Civic Engagement. In August 2025, a documentary premiered, noting a 43% completion rate of the identified action plan and investments totaling over $125 million.

Change highlights include the opening of several new businesses along the Soul City Corridor (redesigned Chicago Avenue), construction of an independent, Black woman owned grocery, and the re-invention of a closed elementary school into a workforce development center.

Despite these pivotal and instrumental changes, there’s still work to be done. It’s not just the “big-ticket” items, but the everyday “boots on the ground” efforts that make the change happen. It’s the individuals and the service providers to the neighborhood, who are facing the challenges, seeing the opportunity, and making the dream a reality. This is why we support Austin. We’re listening and supporting as we can—whether through grant awards, support of capacity building, or work with funder collaboratives. While not indicative or reflective of all who have and continue to make a difference, we are proud to support a number of organizations that are in, from, for, and about Austin.