Collective action to solve homelessness in Chicago.
Chicago Funders Together to End Homelessness (CFTEH) is a diverse group of funders who are learning together and aligning resources to prevent and end homelessness.
- Founded in 2020
- Michael Reese’s first incubation project, now serving as CFTEH’s fiscal sponsor
- A local network of the national Funders Together for Housing Justice
WHY WE SUPPORT
Preventing and ending homelessness is one of Michael Reese’s core priorities for building a healthier Chicagoland. CFTEH embodies the collaborative approach and systems-change thinking that are essential to moving the needle on this key issue.
Priorities
Through its grantmaking, advocacy, and convening, CFTEH works to advance three key priorities:
- Promote more equitable housing policy
- Align public and private resources and systems
- Shift power to communities most impacted by homelessness
40 participating funders
$30M collectively invested annually
200+ grantee partners
"The ability to host and incubate Chicago Funders Together to End Homelessness has demonstrated and proven a model that works for influencing public policy and aligning funders."
Adolfo Hernandez, President, The Pritzker Family Foundation
Key Initiatives
Housing Justice Fund
In 2022, CFTEH launched its first grantmaking program, the Housing Justice Fund. This pooled fund aligns and leverages dollars to support advocacy, narrative change, and community organizing that advances housing justice. To date, the fund has awarded $3.5 million to approximately 23 community partners, prioritizing Black-led and lived expertise-led initiatives.
Public-Private Partnership
CFTEH has demonstrated success in building collaborative relationships with local and state governments, funding the city’s first Chief Homelessness Officer role and four positions dedicated to ending homelessness at the state level.
Bring Chicago Home
CFTEH led funders to align $1.5 million for Bring Chicago Home, a grassroots advocacy campaign to create a dedicated revenue stream to fund affordable housing and homelessness prevention.
To learn more about Chicago Funders Together to End Homelessness, contact Emily Krisciunas at ekrisciunas@wearemichaelreese.org.