AMANDA CAGE Program Officer, McCormick Tribune Foundation CAAIP member Amanda Cage is a program officer at the McCormick Tribune Foundation. Through five grantmaking programs, three world-class museums, and Cantigny Park, the foundation positively impacts people’s lives and stays true to its mission of advancing the ideals of a free, democratic society. Amanda works in the communities program, a unique program that partners with newspapers, broadcast stations, and sports teams to distribute grants to 23 communities nationwide. Through its partners in Chicago, the communities program focuses on issues that affect low-income people and funds non-profits that address the issues of hunger, literacy, workforce development, housing, domestic violence, child trauma, and at-risk youth. In 2005, Amanda received a MPP from the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago. While at the Harris School she interned for the Chicago Community Trust and the Chicago Office of Senator Barack Obama. Amanda’s past work includes seven years as a union and community organizer addressing the issues of low-wage and immigrant workers with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and Jobs with Justice. In these positions she worked on political campaigns and negotiated union contracts in the healthcare field and the nonprofit and public sectors. WHAT AMANDA HAS TO SAY ABOUT PHILANTHROPY AND THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY: “As support for publicly funded programs continues to erode, the role of private sector dollars, in the form of philanthropy, has become increasingly important. Programs that provide cultural enrichment, economic opportunity and community development continue to struggle to have the resources they need to create positive impact in people's lives. This is especially important in the African American community. I chose a career in philanthropy to find solutions to social problems, especially as they relate to poverty. If done correctly, philanthropy can be a space for innovation and investment as we investigate new ways of addressing persistent problems. CAAIP is so important because it allows African Americans to be engaged in this process. Often philanthropic institutions or individuals see the African American community as a charitable cause and not the source of solutions. CAAIP is here to remind philanthropy that we are indeed part of the solution.” Click here to go to the members page.

While there is a need to increase the percentage of African Americans representing staff and board members at foundations... (more)

Chicago African Americans in Philanthropy (CAAIP) functions to: encourage philanthropy in the African American community; research and encourage the development of grantmaking programs at foundations and corporations which benefit the community; promote dialogue between philanthropic organizations and agencies serving African American communities; provide networking and mentorship opportunities; and partner with individuals and institutions who share in its commitment to promote healthy African American communities. (more)