About Us
Empowering grassroots leaders & building equitable communities
Vision
We grant to grassroots projects, amplifying under-heard voices for equitable and Elgin.
We envision an Elgin where our diverse, grassroots residents have the power to create a sustainable community built on equity & justice, trust, and love. We are inspired by our grassroots residents, who are the legacy-creators, movement-builders, and cultural leaders needed in our city.
Mission
We center grassroots grantmaking for an equitable Elgin.
We sustain a grassroots grantmaking structure that centers underheard and overlooked voices, nurturing creativity and realizing residents’ visions for a more equitable Elgin. Oppression creates deep inequities in society, preventing grassroots members from making funding decisions or receiving funds. Elevating Equity empowers our community members to make decisions, creating a better Elgin for all.
Our Pillars
The following four intentions are the foundation of our grantmaking.
We Dig
Discover deep roots, beyond symptoms
We dig beneath the surface, even beyond our own assumptions to uncover the root causes that have kept inequities in place for generations.
We Imagine
Dream of an equitable world
We imagine the world as it should be and do not settle for the world as it is. A world of possibility & promise, equity & inclusion for all.
We Center
Empower and trust those impacted
We center those who are directly impacted, honor their history, and TRUST their leadership.
We Reflect
Review, improve, stay responsible
We reflect in order to grow as individuals and organizations and to stay accountable to our values & our communities.
Teams
Meet the dedicated teams at Elevating Equity, all driven by a shared commitment to Elgin’s thriving community.
To learn about the roles of the teams, visit the Who is involved? section of the FAQ.
“This experience has been enriching. Witnessing the transformative power of community engagement is inspiring. I'm grateful for the opportunity to be a catalyst for change.”
English 
Spanish