Developing Leaders, Strengthening Communities

The Chicago Community Trust launched the Community & Civic Leadership funding program to support established leadership development programs and organizations with a proven track record of cultivating leaders and expanding economic opportunity for Chicagoans.

For decades, the Trust has invested in organizations that develop leaders capable of strengthening communities and advancing lasting change. Today, 18 organizations continue that legacy by preparing leaders across the public, private, nonprofit, and community sectors to tackle the region’s most pressing challenges. Their work spans a wide range of issues — including community development, shared ownership, and housing — all in service of expanding economic opportunity for Chicagoans.

In this Q&A, Collective Power Program Manager Adrianna Parker-Lang and Policy Change Specialist Jalen Preacely discuss why leadership development matters and the lasting change this program aims to support.

One of the goals of this initiative is to support leaders who can advance economic mobility in Chicago’s underinvested communities. How do leadership development programs contribute to that broader goal?

Adrianna Parker-Lang: It was really important to us that the programs funded by this opportunity were intentional about developing leaders who are from communities most affected by historic underinvestment. Another factor that was of equal importance was investing in collaborative leadership and reducing silos across the community, civic and private sectors. To advance economic mobility across the region, it’s important that people with shared goals are working together on solutions and not just recreating the wheel. Collaborative leadership is one way that investing in these programs contributes to the Trust’s broader goals.

The Trust is investing in leaders at both the grassroots and grass tops levels. How do those different forms of leadership complement one another in driving change?

Jalen Preacely: Policy change is impossible without both grassroots and grass tops advocacy. Community-based leaders play a critical role in ensuring policies are shaped by the people they are intended to serve, keeping residents engaged in civic life, and elevating community voices throughout the policymaking process. At the same time, policymakers and other decision-makers can champion those priorities within the institutions and systems where critical decisions are made. By cultivating leadership at both levels and encouraging collective action, the stage is set for substantive and lasting systems of change.

APL: It’s also about building trust. There’s a lot of distrust at the grassroots level and unintended consequences at the policy level. By investing in leaders on both sides and supporting organizations that are making intentional efforts to increase collaboration, we’ll hopefully see more trust building as well.

What stood out about the organizations selected for funding? Were there any common qualities, approaches, or values that emerged across the grant recipients?

JP: One thing that stood out was the wide array of approaches. Some organizations are building traditional leadership skills like relationship-building, organizing, and strategic thinking, while others are developing leaders around specific issues like housing, community development, and shared ownership. Despite those differences, they all share a common philosophy: leadership is something you build through action. Participants aren’t just learning in a classroom, they’re applying what they’ve learned to real life community challenges. They also recognize that leadership development is a long-term investment. The real impact won’t just be what happens during the program, but what participants go on to accomplish in their communities years later.

APL: I was really excited by how intentionally the community-focused programs meet people where they are. Many emerging community leaders are balancing work, family, and countless other responsibilities, so making time to invest in themselves isn’t always easy. The strongest programs understand that reality and have designed their curriculum with their participants in mind—making it accessible, responsive, and rooted in realities of their communities. That intentionality gives more people the opportunity not just to participate, but to grow into the kind of leaders their communities need.

What would success look like for leadership development a few years from now?

JP: A few years from now, I hope we can point to this funding and see what’s possible when we invest in leaders. We would love to see program alumni leading community and policy campaigns, organizing with their neighbors, advocating for change, serving in public office, and more. By supporting leadership programs across different issues, we can help more community and civic leaders work together for lasting change in Chicago and Cook County.

Looking ahead, what do these grant partners tell us about the kind of leadership Chicago needs right now?

JP: Chicago needs leaders who are accessible, grounded in their life experiences and communities, confident in their ability to solve problems big and small, and committed to collaboration.

APL: Agreed! I’d also add that leaders, especially those working to address some of our region’s most pressing challenges, need collective care and support to sustain themselves over the long term. Our communities are facing some incredible challenges, and it’s important to remember the personal toll that can take on our leaders navigating the complex issues that directly affect their communities. That’s why a commitment to collaboration is so important. Strong networks, trusted relationships, and shared responsibility not only strengthen the work itself but also help ensure that leaders have the support they need to continue showing up for their communities.