The Board of Directors and staff of the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation join many others in condemning attacks on our Asian American and Pacific Islander community members, including last week’s tragic mass murder of eight innocent people in Atlanta, six of whom were Asian women. Our hearts go out to the victims’ families as well as to the entire Asian-American community. We are reminded once again that white supremacy and hateful rhetoric have devastating, and, too often, fatal consequences.

 

The drastic increase in harassment and attacks against Asian Americans over the past year shows us how quickly hatred and intolerance can spread when amplified by people in some of the most powerful positions in our country—and when perpetrators are not held accountable for their actions. Words of support are not enough. We all must do our part and act. We are grateful to the many organizations working to dismantle racism and white supremacy and who are sharing their resources and expertise. Please check out some resources compiled by Asian American/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP) and show up however you can:

https://aapip.org/

The Board of Directors of the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation is pleased to announce it has approved over $12.2M for new and renewed grants in the Fall 2020 grant cycle. Congratulations to all of our grantee partners!

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Like all of you, our hearts ache. The murder of Mr. George Floyd is unbearable and intolerable. Of course, we know all too well that this is not an isolated tragedy. Racism has been deeply embedded in our nation’s systems and institutions for hundreds of years and it won’t be rooted out quickly. But such horrors must end.

We shouldn’t be horrified only by the most violent, graphic incidents of injustices perpetrated against African Americans. Our society should be equally compelled to action by the everyday effects of racism on African Americans and other people of color. We at the foundation don’t pretend to have all the answers. But we do know that the fight for racial and economic equity and justice must continue. Your advocacy, your efforts to change systems and institutions, and your commitment to empowering the families and communities with whom you work are more vital now than ever. Thank you for your commitment and perseverance. We are honored to stand with you.

This moment should give us all pause, particularly those of us in philanthropy. The foundation is committed to examining our own practices and grantmaking to do more to dismantle racism and oppression. We recognize it is incumbent upon us to listen, reflect, and act on what we can do better, but we welcome your engagement and expertise. This is long-term work not served well by short-term funding. We look forward to connecting with you in the days, weeks, and months ahead. In the meantime, know that we are deeply grateful for all you do.

In solidarity,

Charles Angell, Jim Angell, Mike Angell, Rupal Soni, Kim Van Horn, Wendy Vendel, Audra Yokley

An Open Letter to Chicago’s Nonprofit Community.

 

In this unprecedented time of crisis, the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation is pleased to make emergency grants working to support Chicago and Washington DC communities.

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An Open Letter to the Chicago Region’s Nonprofit Community | COVID-19

Dear Partners and Friends,

As the Chicago region grapples with unprecedented challenges presented by COVID-19, we are grateful for your ongoing work to provide essential public services, tackle inequities, and create communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

We can’t imagine a more difficult time for Chicago area nonprofits. Many vital programs are being disrupted at a time when people need them more, daily operations altered, and budgets stretched by increased demand for services and the cancellation of revenue-generating events – all in a context of tremendous and extraordinary uncertainty. The challenges are even greater for those providing direct services to people at the highest risk due to the virus itself and the economic impacts we are already seeing.

Like you, this community is at the heart of everything we care about. In these anxious times, we want to reaffirm our commitment to you and your work. Your priorities may be shifting as you determine how best to provide for communities, and the path to meet your original program goals may no longer be clear. While we know you remain deeply committed to continuing your work, we also realize that during this crisis it may not be realistic to meet the project goals you once expected to achieve. Please know, we understand and will prioritize flexibility regarding reporting.

In recognition of the challenges you are facing now and those that will be posed to our region in the days and weeks ahead, many of us have joined together and with others to contribute to a fund as one way to support those impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.

The Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund will provide flexible resources to community-based organizations across the Metropolitan Chicago region to supply essential aid to the individuals and households who are most impacted by the pandemic. Those resources currently include access to emergency food and basic supplies, rent and mortgage assistance and utility assistance. Learn more at https://www.chicagocovid19responsefund.org/.

We will continue to monitor the impact of COVID-19 in our community by listening to you to understand your experience and the experiences of those you serve. We are heartened by the way organizations across our region are rising to this challenge and are committed to doing our part to help ensure this critical work continues.

Thank you for your leadership and partnership in helping our city weather this crisis.

 

Sincerely,

Iris Krieg, Executive Director

Albert Pick, Jr. Fund

 

Joel M. Friedman, President

The Alvin H. Baum Family Fund

 

Helene D. Gayle, President and Chief Executive Officer

The Chicago Community Trust

 

Adam Levine, President

Circle of Service Foundation

 

Mary Pounder, Program Director

Comer Family Foundation

 

Greg DiDomenico, President and CEO

Community Memorial Foundation

 

Leslie Ramyk, Executive Director

Conant Family Foundation

 

Evan Hochberg, President

Crown Family Philanthropies

 

Arne Duncan, Managing Partner

Emerson Collective / Chicago CRED

 

Angelique Power, President

The Field Foundation

 

Sharon Bush, Executive Director

Grand Victoria Foundation

 

Rachel Garbow Monroe, President and CEO

The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation

 

Maria Socorro Pesqueira, President

Healthy Communities Foundation

 

Phyllis Glink, Executive Director

The Irving Harris Foundation

 

Janet Froetscher, President

JB and MK Pritzker Family Foundation

 

Lonnie Nasatir, President

Jewish United Fund

 

John Palfrey, President

John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

 

Ellen S. Alberding, President

The Joyce Foundation

 

Liz Kramer Lefkofsky, Executive Director

Lefkofsky Family Foundation

 

Craig Leva, President

Leva Family Foundation

 

Unmi Song, President

Lloyd A. Fry Foundation

 

Kelsey Malnati Howell, Executive Director

Marc and Jeanne Malnati Family Foundation

 

Allyson Park, President

Mars Wrigley Foundation

 

Gayla Brockman, President and CEO

Michael Reese Health Trust

 

Kim R. Van Horn, Managing Director

Paul M. Angell Family Foundation

 

Gillian Darlow, CEO

Polk Bros. Foundation

 

Charles Twichell, Executive Director

Prince Charitable Trusts

 

Julie Wilen, Executive Director

Pritzker Pucker Family Foundation

Pritzker Foundation

 

Cindy Moelis, President

Pritzker Traubert Foundation

 

David Hiller, President and CEO

Robert R. McCormick Foundation

 

Na’ilah Suad Nasir, President

Spencer Foundation

 

Patricia Ford, Executive Director

Steans Family Foundation

 

Sean Garrett, President and CEO

United Way of Metro Chicago

 

Robert N. DiLeonardi, Executive Director

VNA Foundation

 

Michelle Morales, President

Woods Fund Chicago