Chicago Cares

Chicago Cares builds upon community partnerships in core neighborhoods on the city’s south and west sides, challenging Chicagoans’ preconceived notions and contributing directly to neighborhood revitalization plans along the way.

In 2018, Chicago Cares:

• Engaged over 12,700 volunteers in community-driven service
• Provided over 56,800 hours of service for volunteers
• Invested over $560,000 in resources toward community plans for Auburn Gresham, Belmont Cragin, Bronzeville, and Englewood

But the impact of our work goes beyond outcomes. Our work to build a stronger, more unified Chicago through service also fosters interconnectedness, creates civic engagers, and builds capacity in Chicagoland nonprofits throughout the year.

Fostering Interconnectedness: 91% of our volunteers reports that their volunteer experience helped them build connections to new people and understand that every community has many important assets as well as challenges.

Creating Civic Engagers: 95% of our volunteers are more likely to volunteer again, engage civically in new and different ways, and participate in Chicago’s change efforts.

Building Capacity in the Nonprofit Sector: 97% of our community partners report that Chicago Cares connects them to critical new relationships and resources, while 90% of volunteers report that they are more likely to invest time and resources into the nonprofit sector.