Updates from the
Square One Foundation

Warm greetings to each of you. We hope this message finds you well and able to enjoy a bit of summer respite, even as the world around us throws staggering challenges at every turn. We remain grateful for the work you do and hopeful because of your dedication.

These are not ordinary times. The daily changes from the Federal Government are coming at such a rapid pace and have created apprehension for our community partners—and for our democracy. Square One Foundation has been thinking deeply about what the future holds and how best to protect the communities and values that we hold dear.

For us, this is a time to recommit to our guiding principles, especially the concept of tikkun olam, or repairing the world. We believe that it is more important than ever to work to improve our communities—and country—through acts of kindness and social justice. And while today’s world is not the world we believe it should be, we have faith that by working together, we can protect our most vulnerable neighbors and wage a vigorous fight for a more just and equitable future.

I am writing with a few brief updates about the Square One Foundation. Like many foundations, we have wrestled over the last several months with how to best support our grantees during this tumultuous time. We remain resolute in our conviction that justice and equity for all are fundamental to our humanity. That will not change.

However, we knew that we couldn’t just adhere to the status quo. We have undergone a process of deep listening, imagining, and pivoting as needed to clarify who we aspire to be in this moment.

With that, I am pleased to announce our refreshed Mission Statement, program goals, grantmaking guidelines, and re-structured process for new applicants.

Square One Foundation’s mission is to realize equitable access to educational opportunity, democratic processes, and economic justice for all Chicagoans.

We are focused on strengthening organizations and bringing together people from all over the city to ensure everyone has a voice in shaping their future, awarding grants in three program areas, each with a singular goal:

1. EDUCATION

   Our goal: All students attain proficiency in reading, writing, math, and critical thinking.

2. DEMOCRACY

   Our goal: All people are active and informed participants in, and benefit from, accountable, inclusive systems and democratic processes that govern their lives.

3. INCLUSIVE & JUST ECONOMY (NEW PROGRAM AREA!)

   Our goal: All people benefit from an equitable economy through systems and structures that enable their full participation.

Learn about the specific priorities and funding guidelines within each program area here.

Now is the time for reflection and reimagining. The work that many have been doing for hundreds of years—the rights they have been fighting for—have been brought to the fore for the many of us who have not had to constantly battle for our rights on a daily basis. We are also watching the undermining of the institutions that are the fabric of our democracy. We can no longer operate in our own lanes and become more insular. Working together and supporting one another will be more important than ever.

The heroic work of our partners in education, democracy, and social justice is not easy in the best of times. We see the level of fear and uncertainty grow from a deliberate attempt to sow chaos. But we also believe that together we have the power to envision and manifest a new form of resistance which focuses on our collective strength on fighting the egregious and authoritarian policies that may lie ahead.

Let now be a galvanizing point for renewed advocacy and action and a reaffirmation of the values we hold dear.

Priscilla Kersten, President

Application Process Open

The Square One Foundation has re-designed its application process to introduce new organizations to the Square One Foundation in a way that further minimizes the time and burden on applicants. At a time when reference to and pursuit of equity is under attack, the Square One Foundation is proud to be a signatory of Trust-Based Philanthropy Project’s “Meet the Moment: A Call to Action for Philanthropy Now & Into the Future.” Recent updates to our application process reflect our belief that how we fund is just as important as much as what we fund.

New applicants will be considered on a rolling basis from August 1st through October 31st, with funding decisions announced in December.

Current grantees will receive separate communications about how to apply for renewed support.

Have questions?