Launched in 2020 in response to the economic instability caused by COVID-19, We Rise Together: For an Equitable & Just Recovery is a Trust-led funder collaborative working with communities to respond to the urgent economic needs of long-disinvested Black and Latine neighborhoods. Through grants to community-directed real estate development projects, workforce development, and support for small businesses, We Rise Together is helping build thriving neighborhoods and a stronger Chicago. To date, We Rise Together has provided $46 million in grants, including support for 40+ real estate projects worth more than $500 million, 13 of which have already opened.  

In this episode of Trust Talks, we will discuss We Rise Together’s impact and what’s next, including how the initiative—and donors—can continue to fuel the visions communities have for their local economies.  This episode is hosted by Christen Wiggins,  program director for We Rise Together: For an Equitable & Just Recovery, and features Nedra Sims Fears, executive director for the Greater Chatham Initiative and a We Rise Together Steering Committee member; Griselda Piedra, community relations manager for PODER; and Steve and Nicole VanderVoort, We Rise Together donors. 

Production by Juneteenth Productions. The podcast was recorded at the Sound Foundation.