Our application is now open for community-based organizations to receive free, customized capacity building services.

CVNC offers services in the following areas:

  • Budgeting and finance

  • Board management

  • Data systems and analytics

  • Evaluation and learning

  • Fundraising and diversification

  • Grants management

  • Grant writing

  • Marketing and communications

  • Strategic planning

  • Succession planning

Why Work With CVNC?

Operating on the premise that homegrown CBOs are vital to building vibrant, healthy and safe communities, CVNC provides a menu of back-office supports to assist CBOs in fulfilling their vital missions. We work with CBO clients to co-design tailored, individual support plans and then match them with subject matter experts who provide sustained support to reach customized goals. Services are free to client CBOs, along with a modest stipend to support participation in the work.

Our methodology comes from our experience working directly with CBOs and incorporates feedback from CBOs and those who work directly in neighborhoods on social impact initiatives throughout Chicago. CVNC sets itself apart by working with CBOs to evaluate the needs, establish an attainable set of goals, and co-create a scope of work with specific milestones that we will seek to meet over a specified timeline. We are on the journey with our clients to maximize the chances of reaching successful outcomes.

After many months of research involving both quantitative and qualitative analysis as well as on-the-ground conversations with neighborhood-based CBO leaders and others, we are happy to announce that we are accepting applications for prospective CBO clients in our first six neighborhoods: Austin, Brighton Park, East Garfield Park, Gage Park, Roseland, and West Garfield Park.  

Requirements for applicants:

  • -Physical headquarters located and serving residents in one or more of the following neighborhoods: Austin, Brighton Park, East Garfield Park, Gage Park, Roseland, and West Garfield Park

  • -501(c)3 organization

  • -Good standing with Illinois Secretary of State

  • -In operation since January 1, 2021

  • -Annual operating budget of no less than $500,000.00 and no more than $2,500,000.00

  • -At least three references who can speak to your organization’s impact in the community

Applications are due by 11:59pm April 30, 2024. Selected CBOs will be notified by May 15, 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • CVNC requires that a CBO be in operation since January 1, 2021. Organizations that were active on or before that date that formally incorporated at a later date are eligible.

  • Working with a fiscal agent does not disqualify a CBO from consideration. There may be supplementary information required during the application review phase.

  • The address and EIN should be for the CBO submitting the application, not the fiscal agent. If no IRS 990s are available for the CBO that is applying, then the IRS 990 of the fiscal agent may be submitted. Operational budgets should be for the CBO submitting the application for CVNC support, not the fiscal agent.

  • Unfortunately there is not a way to save the application to edit over multiple sessions and all applications must be completed through the form on the CVNC website. A reference PDF of the application is available upon request from info@chivnc.og

  • All application questions can be emailed to info@chivnc.org

  • Unfortunately CVNC is not able to offer application extensions.

  • A core part of CVNC’s model is that the scope of services for each client CBO is co-designed with CBO leadership; we know that client needs and capacity vary and we aim to provide services that are tailored, strengths-based and meet our clients where they are at rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach While timing and needs vary by client, on average, CVNC subject matter experts may spend up to ten hours per week with a client.

  • If your organization becomes a CVNC client, we will work with your team to understand your priorities and what time your team has available. We do not expect our client CBOs to match the time commitment of our subject matter experts.

  • Unfortunately, at this time CVNC is only able to accept applications for prospective CBO clients that are based in the following neighborhoods: Austin, Brighton Park, East Garfield Park, Gage Park, Roseland, and West Garfield Park. We look forward to serving more neighborhoods in the future and will be posting free capacity building resources on our website soon. Please sign up for the CVNC newsletter to be the first to learn about new resources. You can click the link at the bottom of our website homepage to sign up or email info@chivnc.org.