Community Programs Accelerator
Nonprofit organizations play an important role in the health and vitality of local communities.
The Community Programs Accelerator, a program of the University of Chicago’s Office of Civic Engagement, helps equip nonprofits that serve the South Side with tools and resources to fulfill their unique missions.
The Accelerator provides capacity building support in the following areas:
- Organizational Governance
- Strategic Planning
- Program Design and Evaluation
- Fund Development
Profiles
Yvonne Welbon
Sisters in Cinema
UChicago’s Community Programs Accelerator has helped Weldon grow Sisters in Cinema by providing leadership development, workshops, assistance with grant applications, and more, all at no cost to the organization.
The Simple Good
The Community Programs Accelerator connected founder Priya Shah with a team of Harris School of Public Policy graduate students who are members of Harris Community Action (HCA). These worked closely with Shah to explore what it would take to expand operations.
Provident Foundation
Inspired by the historic Provident Hospital and Training School, the nonprofit provides scholarships and ongoing mentorship.
Hyde Park Village
As one of the first community organizations served by the Accelerator, older adult support network CHPV continues launching strategic new initiatives to keep local seniors connected and engaged
Deeply Rooted Dance Theater
“The Community Programs Accelerator offers us an environment for thought-sharing and critical thinking, where we’re challenged to share our perspectives and formalize ideas that have been gestating. That’s really powerful." - Kevin Iega Jeff, Deeply Rooted Co-founder and Creative Director
100 Black Men of Chicago
“Being part of the Community Programs Accelerator allows us to move forward on purpose and with intention. We’re planning our next decade, which will be pivotal for us as we focus on what we can become rather than on what we are.” - Carl H. Tutt, Jr., 100 Black Men of Chicago Board President