EFE's Community of Funders

Equip for Equality is honored to have among its recent private supporters the following foundations. The Fall 2006 issue of the Equalizer will highlight government supporters.

Alphawood Foundation has provided Equip for Equality general operating support since 1997, and has continued that support this year with an investment of $7,500.

The Chicago Bar Foundation has also consistently invested in Equip for Equality's organizational needs, since 2001, this year providing a grant of $2,500. The Chicago Bar has also invested in the first two years of Equip for Equality's new Special Education Clinic with an Emerging Grant of $20,000 in 2004 and a $15,000 in 2005.

In 2005, the Chicago Community Trust supported Equip for Equality's strategic planning process with an $8,000 Management and Organizational Development Grant, which has helped retain the services of an outside consultant in developing the organization's three-year plan. Through its Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services, the Trust has also continued its three years of support for Equip for Equality's Latinos with Disabilities Advocacy project, in 2005 with a $12,000 grant. In 2004, The Illinois Bar Foundation also invested $1,500 in the Latino Project.

The Training Institute on Disability Rights has enjoyed the ongoing support of the Polk Bros Foundation since inception of it expansion plan in 2002. In the last three years, the Foundation has invested $120,000 in Training Institute staff and programming. Over the last two years, The Northern Trust Company Charitable Trust has provided the Institute $15,000 in support. Equip for Equality also welcomes first-time investor Harry F. Chaddick & Elaine Chaddick Foundation Inc., which contributed $1,000 in 2005.

Equip for Equality also thanks the Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois, which has been supporting its legal services downstate for many years, in 2005 contributing $34,000.

Finally, Equip for Equality welcomes a fellowship from Equal Justice Works, which supports the work of 2006 legal intern Rachel Shapiro, featured also in this issue's Staff Highlights.

Funder Spotlight: The Field Foundation of Illinois

The Field Foundation has supported several of Equip for Equality's initiatives since the mid 90s, including the Guardianship Reform Project and Protection & Advocacy for Individual Rights. This year, the Foundation continued with a second year of support for the Latinos with Disabilities Advocacy Project with a $15,000 grant. As a supporter of Chicago institutions and grass roots efforts, the Foundation provides grants across a range of social issues, from community welfare to cultural initiatives, making investments ranging from $5,000 to $40,000.

In 2004, Aurie Pennick joined the Foundation as Executive Director, bringing with her a background in the legal aspects of housing issues as well as special grants work through the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. She was founding executive director of the Chicago Abused Women Coalition and graduated from The John Marshall Law School in Chicago.

"Equip for Equality provides an important voice for the community," says Ms. Pennick. "Its leadership ensures that people with disabilities are well represented in all rights related issues. This is an organization you want to have on your side."

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