Director, Special Populations

The Director of Special Populations is a 2-year placement within The Chicago Community Trust and will lead transformative initiatives to support people facing homelessness, including individuals affected by chronic homelessness, housing instability, and sudden displacement, both domestically and internationally. Collaborating closely with the Addressing Critical Needs strategy team and a diverse range of key partners, the Director will work to synchronize efforts, identify service gaps, and craft strategic plans to address current challenges while preparing The Chicago Community Trust and its partners for comprehensive responses to future humanitarian needs.

Responsibilities:

• Facilitate cross-sector communication and collaboration among government agencies, businesses, and community-based organizations to address the needs of Special Populations effectively.
• Lead fundraising initiatives targeting Special Populations, leveraging resources from the Unity Fund, collaboratives, and restricted funds to support impactful programs.
• Oversee the thoughtful allocation of grant awards for Special Populations, ensuring they are in line with the Trust's long-term goals for creating positive structural changes.
• Develop and implement long-term planning strategies, including one- to two-year plans, to address critical issues faced by Special Populations, emphasizing resilience and sustainability in humanitarian crisis response.
• Convene specialists in research and innovation to identify emerging needs and trends, informing proactive approaches to humanitarian response for Special Populations, particularly those affected by humanitarian crises resulting in homelessness or housing instability.
• Utilizing a racial equity lens, cultivate partnerships with local agencies and grassroots organizations, aimed at supporting communities and nurturing a sense of belonging and support for individuals regardless of their immigration status.

Position Qualifications:

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree preferred, and individuals with lived expertise are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Minimum of 8 years of related work experience.
• Experience engaging with homeless and at-risk populations, fostering empathy, resilience, and innovative solutions to address their complex needs.
• Prominence and demonstrated thought leadership in the social services and social justice sectors, especially within the network of local and national actors, agencies, and organizations dedicated to addressing challenges to equitable opportunity in large urban communities.
• Previous working relationship with organizations whose mission is to end homelessness.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access).
• Availability for occasional evening and weekend commitments.
• Experience in the development, implementation, and evaluation of strategies to effect change and in promoting and contributing to a strong learning culture.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Trust is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. The Trust does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply. If you are a qualified candidate with a disability, please e-mail us at careers@cct.org if you require a reasonable accommodation to complete this application.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are fundamental to achieving our impact

The Chicago Community Trust’s vision is a Chicago region where equity, opportunity, and prosperity abound. We acknowledge the specific role discrimination and systemic barriers based on race, ethnicity, and other varied identities and differences have played in limiting opportunities for too many. A commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is at the core of who we are, the decisions we make, and the actions we take in our work to strengthen the communities we serve and advance our strategic focus to close the racial and ethnic wealth gap. Click here to learn more about our strategic plan.

The History of The Chicago Community Trust

The Chicago Community Trust was founded in 1915 by Norman and Albert Harris, father and son duo of the Harris Trust and Savings Bank (now BMO Harris Bank). The Trust was the fourth community foundation ever created. There are now 750 community foundations in Canada and the U.S.

As our region’s community foundation, the Trust unites generous donors, committed nonprofits and caring residents to effect lasting change that moves our entire region forward. Our approach centers on tackling the region’s immediate needs and addressing the root causes of deep-seated issues to realize a more prosperous future for all who call metropolitan Chicago home.

For more than 100 years, donors have entrusted their philanthropic resources and visions to our stewardship. Guided by our deep knowledge of the community, we fund, lead, convene and collaborate to address the greatest and most critical needs facing the Chicago region. From the $22 million raised to help with unemployment relief in the Great Depression to spearheading an effort to help people keep their homes during the foreclosure crisis of the Great Recession to $35 million raised for the Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund, which supported nonprofits serving our most vulnerable neighbors, Chicagoans have put their trust in us.

In 2019, we announced we would focus our discretionary spending over the next decade on working to close Chicago’s growing racial and ethnic wealth gap. The Trust envisions a Chicago region that’s stronger and more prosperous because everyone-regardless of race, ethnicity, or zip code-has equitable access to the opportunities and resources they need to succeed and live a fulfilling life.

With assets of more than $4.5 billion, the Trust, in partnership with its donors, distributes more than $1.6 billion in grants each year. The Trust Team seeks to match the passion and commitment of donors, grant recipients, residents, and community leaders that continue to work tirelessly to make the Chicago region one where all have the opportunity to realize their dreams.

From: The Chicago Community Trust