Strengthening African American Communities in Metropolitan Chicago
African American Legacy (AAL) is a philanthropic initiative led by African American civic and community leaders who share the common goal of improving the quality of life among African Americans throughout metropolitan Chicago. AAL engages African Americans in philanthropy, collectively and individually, and provides support to nonprofit organizations that work at the grassroots level to educate and engage communities, and to provide neighborhood-based services and solutions addressing community problems. Grounded in the philosophies of collective giving, community engagement and grant making, AAL serves as a convener and catalyst, making significant impact through the organizations it supports.
Since its founding in 2003 as an initiative of The Chicago Community Trust, AAL has granted more than $2 million to numerous nonprofit organizations with innovative ideas for impact. AAL is driven by its mission and committed to supporting innovation that catalyzes real change in the community, innovation that creates a positive shift toward the sustainability, longevity and prosperity of Chicago’s African American community.
AAL’s current grant making theme is Empowerment for Peace. AAL recognizes that reducing violence requires building our strength from within and coordinating our collective talents, ideas and leadership in order to garner the necessary resources to foster peace. Hence, Empowerment for Peace brings together teams of organizations whose collective efforts get us further than any one organization working alone.
Donations may be made online to AAL, where you can also find information about the grant guidelines. The next application cycle will open in Spring 2018. Online donations are welcomed by AAL. Please leave general inquiries on our contact page, where you also can sign up to be notified about our next grant application cycle.
IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF AFRICAN AMERICANS
Our Mission
African American Legacy activates an engaged network of community leaders who share the common goal of improving the quality of life of African Americans in Chicago through the power of collective giving, community engagement and grant making.
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COLLABORATING FOR COMMUNITY PEACE:
SEE THE AAL SUMMIT
Advisory Board Members
The Advisory Board is comprised of professionals with a wide range of experience across numerous industries. Board members actively participate in community engagement, donor cultivation and grant making activities.
Corliss V. Garner, Chair
Andreason Brown, Vice Chair
Brenda Asare
Daniel Ash
Claudette Baker
Julian Coleman
Carol Crenshaw
Amina Dickerson
Denise Gardner
Graham Grady
Marguerite Griffin
Suzanne Griffith
Deborah Harrington
Tim Jones
Loann Honesty King
Diane Latiker
Suzet McKinney
Mary Pattillo
Nicholas Pearce
Shawnelle Richie
Baronica Roberson
Melody Spann-Cooper
Rebecca Ford Terry
African American Legacy Grant Recipients
Alliance for Community Peace
Austin Peoples Action Center
Beloved Community Family Services
Better Boys Foundation
Bronzeville Children’s Museum
Carole Robertson Center for Learning
Center for Higher Development
Chetwyn Rodgers Drive Development Committee
Chicago Legal Clinic
DBA Studios
Developing Communities Project
Faith Organizations Committed in Unity to Serve Youth
Family Rescue
Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance
Goodcity
Greater Roseland West Pullman Food Network
Heritage Community Development Corporation
Imagine Englewood If
Inner-City Computer Stars Foundation
Jane Addams Hull House Association
Jobs For Youth/Chicago
Kids Off the Block
Kidz Express
LeClaire Courts Community Development Corporation
Life Directions
Love To Serve
Metropolitan Area Group for Igniting Civilization (MAGIC)
MPAACT/Maat Production Association of Afrikan Centered Theatre
Monroe Foundation
New Direction Outreach
North Lawndale College Preparatory Charter High School
Phoebe’s Place
Quinn Community Services Alliance of Chicago
Saving Our Seeds
South Shore Drill Team & Performing Arts Ensemble
South Side Community Federal Credit Union
Southwest Women Working Together
Taskforce for Prevention and Community Services
Teamwork Englewood
The Cara Program
The Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center
The Inner Voice
The Law Project
The Neighborhood Capital Budget Group
The University of Chicago Division of the Humanities
Trinity Higher Education Corporation
Ujima, Inc.
We The People Media
Theme: Strengthening the African American Family
Amani-Trinity United Community Health Corporation
Court Appointed Special Advocates of Cook County
GRANDFamilies Program of Chicago
Holy Family Ministries
The Inner Voice
Passages Alternative Living Programs
Proactive Community Services
Stateway Community Partners
Young Men’s Educational Network
Youth Guidance
Theme: Voice Not Violence
Academy of Scholastic Achievement
Community Outreach Volunteers, NFP
Institute for Positive Living
Restoring the Path
UCAN
Theme: Empowerment For Peace
Austin Coming Together
Chicago Youth Centers
First Defense Legal Aid
Young Men’s Educational Network (YMEN)
© Copyright 2016 African American Legacy. Website design, animation and content by Art On The Loose, Inc. Video production by Epilog Media Design Group. Original photography by Lauren Harris, Tommy Inglis and Jason Jones. Additional photos and footage courtesy of Bruce Powell, Jean-Marc Giboux and the African American Legacy grantees.