Weaving a Regional Vision: Grantmakers as Partners in Creating Sustainable Growth

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) is creating a regional vision for greater Chicago with the core themes of sustainability, equity, and innovation. The vision encompasses issues of major concern to Chicago-area grantmakers: quality of life, the environment, housing, health, safety, education, economic strength, energy production and consumption, water use, intergovernmental cooperation and planning, and civic involvement. A final plan, for release in Fall 2010, will include public input through events focusing on the Burnham Centennial. With The Chicago Community Trust, CMAP is developing indicators to both measure progress and reflect priorities for the region as it moves ahead.

The philanthropic community and its nonprofit partners are an important component of these discussions about our region's future, and will play a role in turning a plan into a realized vision.

The event will feature panelists Randy Blankenhorn, Executive Director of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, Emily Harris, Executive Director of the Burnham Plan Centennial; and Terry Mazany, President and CEO of The Chicago Community Trust. Unmi Song, Executive Director of The Lloyd A. Fry Foundation, will moderate the discussion. This event is open only to Donors Forum's grantmaking Members. For information on how to join, visit www.donorsforum.org.