OPALGA Receives Chicago Community Trust Grant
OPALGA has just received notification from The Chicago Community Trust that the organization has approved a Management/Organizational Development Grant of $7,000 to OPALGA for the support of consultation for the development of a strategic plan and implementation of an Executive Director search based on said plan.
For 93 years, The Chicago Community Trust has connected the generosity of donors with the needs of the community by making grants to organizations working to improve metropolitan Chicago. With assets of $1.8 billion, the Trust made a record-breaking $114 million in grants in 2007. From strengthening community schools to assisting local art programs, from building health centers to helping lives affected by violence, the Trust works to enhance our region.
“The Chicago Community Trust is one of the most respected grant-making organizations in our community, and OPALGA is truly grateful for the Trust’s support of our strategic planning process,” said Mike Cochran, OPALGA Co-Chair. “The support of the Trust to an organization’s fundraising program truly cannot be measured in dollars and cents alone, as its support makes a statement of sorts to other donors who are considering giving funds to an organization.”
As Cochran also made clear, it is often smaller organizations such as OPALGA that receive the greatest benefit from a grant like this one. “The strategic planning process was and is so vital to OPALGA, and yet our budget is already virtually all allocated. Now, with the support of the Trust, our consultant Dr. Carol Goldbaum’s services have been fully paid for, and we have additional funds available to work with her as we go forward in search of an Executive Director. All of this helps OPALGA immeasurably as we attempt to transition the organization to the next level.”
“The first step in a journey is always the most difficult one. Thanks to the generosity of The Chicago Community Trust, the entire Board of Directors is energized and looking forward to building on this initial success,” Cochran added.
