On November 19, IFF’s Stronger Nonprofits Initiative (SNI) officially concluded its latest cohort—the fourth based in Chicago and tenth across the Midwest—with a celebration at The Hatchery on Chicago’s West Side. Hosting representatives from several of the cohort’s 10 participating nonprofits, the event allowed participants to catch up, highlight recent accomplishments, and speak about their experiences in the program.
“The knowledge that I gained from SNI’s partnership and collaboration, and the resources and speakers that came in, really helped us to not only talk about a future, but plan for a future,” said Catherine Jackson, executive director of Woodlawn Restorative Justice Hub. “I will never look at a building, or a budget, in the same way.”
First launched in 2017, SNI offers a 14-month long curriculum that aims to support nonprofits led by people of color in navigating systemic barriers to accessing capital and real estate opportunities. The curriculum includes financial management training, peer learning, one-on-one financial coaching, customized real estate consulting, and special networking opportunities. SNI cohorts include 10 nonprofits, each of which sends three to four individuals to participate.
Since launching in 2017, more than 100 organizations across six cities have participated in SNI. Past cohorts have taken place in Chicago, Detroit, Kansas City, St. Louis, Milwaukee, and Indianapolis. Now, IFF and program funder JPMorgan Chase & Co. are preparing to launch a new cycle of cohorts in early 2025.
Scroll to the right for pictures from the event, and click here to learn more about SNI’s first five years of impact.
