Joining Forces to End Gun Violence in Chicago
The philanthropic community is funding a comprehensive portfolio of strategies aimed at reducing gun violence in Chicago.
The Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities (PSPC) is a coalition of more than 50 foundations and funders, working together to identify and support community-led, evidence-based solutions that the public sector can scale as part of a comprehensive approach to addressing gun violence.
Since its founding in 2016, PSPC has committed $140 million to violence reduction efforts in Chicago, and is continuing to help advance programs that show great promise.
Treating the Whole Person, the Whole Community
With support from PSPC, community groups in Chicago’s neighborhoods most affected by gun violence have room to try innovative interventions, reducing violence amongst individuals most at risk of shooting or being shot. For the first time, community organizations on the South and West Sides are sharing best practices, data, resources and training to stem violence and its traumatic effects. This collaboration among organizations — and in coordination with law enforcement — multiplies the effectiveness of their efforts.
Community groups de-escalate tensions between likely victims and likely shooters. They direct residents to mental health services, housing assistance, legal aid, post-incarceration help and GED and job-training programs. They know that the solutions to violence involve treating the whole person and the whole community.
A New Day — A New Way
Through PSPC, community groups in 22 Chicago neighborhoods concentrated on the South and West Sides are working together with support from foundations to reduce the shootings. A new day — a new way — is here. We are joining forces to make Chicago more safe and peaceful.
Executive Director
Esther Franco-Payne joined the Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities (PSPC) as its inaugural Executive Director in December of 2022. Esther’s personal commitment has been to serve as a voice for underserved communities of color and to be a champion for equity. Growing up in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood, Esther has been front and center to the issues that permeate communities impacted by crime, poverty, and disinvestment. As a social worker by training, she is a long-time advocate who has engaged the public in the development of effective adult criminal justice and youth justice policies. Learn more about Esther.
Coalition of Funders
- Advocate Bethany Community Health Fund
- Albert Pick, Jr. Fund
- Alvin H. Baum Family Fund
- AT&T
- Ballmer Group
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois
- Boeing Company
- Chicago Community Trust
- Chicago CRED
- Chicago Sports Alliance
- Conant Family Foundation
- Crown Family Philanthropies
- Field Foundation of Illinois
- Jentes Family
- Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago
- John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
- Joyce Foundation
- JPMorgan Chase & Co.
- Krehbiel Family Foundation
- Lefkofsky Family Foundation
- Leva Family Foundation
- Lloyd A. Fry Foundation
- Marc and Jeanne Malnati Family Foundation
- Mars Wrigley Foundation
- Michael Reese Health Trust
- Motorola Solutions Foundation
- Northern Trust
- Paul M. Angell Family Foundation
- Polk Bros. Foundation
- Pritzker Foundation
- Pritzker Pucker Family Foundation
- Pritzker Traubert Foundation
- Robert R. McCormick Foundation
- Shure Charitable Trust
- Steans Family Foundation
- Weinberg Foundation
- We Raise Foundation
- Woods Fund Chicago
- Anonymous (7)