Common Ground Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The Common Ground Foundation supports youth, nutrition, health, financial literacy, character development, education and arts and culture in Chicago, Illinois.
FUNDING AREAS: Youth, nutrition, health, financial literacy, character development, education, arts and culture
IP TAKE: Hip hop artist Common is very committed to South Side and West Side youth in his home city of Chicago, although this foundation is more about hosting programs than traditional grantmaking.
PROFILE: The Common Ground Foundation (CGF) is a charitable foundation based in Chicago, Illinois. This is the foundation of the Academy Award-winning hip hop artist, actor and author, Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Jr., who goes by the name, “Common”. Chicago is Common’s hometown, and he has committed time and resources to helping inner-city youth here reach their potential. The foundation aims to "empower high school students from under-served communities to become future leaders.” CGF funds local efforts for youth, nutrition, health, financial literacy, character development, education and arts and culture.
The Common Ground Foundation works through several programs to further its charitable goals. There is a youth mentoring program that involves a four-year commitment for high school students and recruits students from 30 high schools on the South and West sides of Chicago. CGF also has a transition to college program to assist local students upon graduation. The Dreamers and Believers Summer Camp is a one-week camp that involves team building and sporting events. There’s a Youth Business and Leadership Conference that is planned for hundreds of students throughout Chicago to expose youth to career opportunities and empower youth to achieve rewarding careers. To serve local students, CGF works through mentors that are educators and health professionals to support at-risk youth.
Grants range between about $100 and $1,000. CGF has held assets between $400,000 and $700,000 in recent years. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records. Grantmaking focuses on Chicago, Illinois. Past local support includes the Burlington Coat Drive and an online book club called “The Corner.”
This foundation does not typically accept unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits. Direct general questions to the staff at info@commongroundfoundation.org or 773-295-1915.
PEOPLE:
Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).
LINKS:
