May 2023: Spring Newsletter
From the CEO
Welcome to our spring newsletter! This has been a busy season already of growth and renewal. This newsletter includes an update on our board and staff team, and our first quarter grants list.
We started the year welcoming three new directors to our board. Everyone around our expanded staff-board table feels invigorated by the addition of diverse perspectives which enhance the learning agendas of each of our program areas. Our laughter is louder, our conversations are richer and our strategies are deepened by these new voices.
Our new Grants Manager Sean Washington joined our team in February, bringing his expertise in operations, IT and database management. His contributions have already helped us refine our processes to improve the experience of our grantees. You will hear directly from Sean below.
In March, our board awarded $2,900,000 in grants to over 100 organizations. Our entrepreneurship grants support organizations providing coaching, training, and access to capital in Chicago’s communities of high need. Our health grants represent our continued commitment to patient-centered cancer care. Finally, our Threshold Matching grants span across all program areas including intellectual and developmental disabilities. Read the entire grants list here.
Our newly reinforced team is ready for the hard work ahead in 2023. We look forward to seeing you in the community!
Sincerely,
Shelley
Meet Grants Manager Sean Washington
Can you tell us a little bit about your background and where your career path has led you?
I’ve worked for governmental and non-profit organizations, and at each stop I’ve aimed to improve people’s lives for the better. While I was able to accomplish that in both sectors, the promise or goal of philanthropy always seemed enticing. Having been on the receiving end of funding for a long time, I often thought I’d like to be part of making the process easier for organizations who do good work but may not have the greatest resources or capacity. I’ve seen firsthand how the grantee application process was so burdensome or complicated that it hindered the organization from carrying out their mission. I actually postponed applying for this role because I was too busy at my last job, working at full capacity and beyond to keep us compliant with all the grant requirements.
What inspired you to raise your hand for this position at the Coleman Foundation?
That feeling that “there has to be a more efficient way” and that I might be able to be part of that solution – that persisted. I thought this position might provide the opportunity to use my skill set to work towards that, to learn about trust-based philanthropy and to make a real difference to people and communities. It was a unique circumstance of several factors that lined up for me personally and I knew the timing was right. I took a chance on myself and applied, and here I am.
Do you have any advice from mentors or any guiding principles that you will rely on as you acclimate to your new role?
The best and biggest piece of advice that I received during the application process was to “have the courage to be yourself.” After meeting the staff and seeing how they interacted with each other and valued each other’s work, I felt like Coleman was a place where I would not only fit in and be me but also thrive. The courage to be yourself will always lead you to where you are supposed to be. I truly believe that I am where I belong.
What do you do in your spare time to relax and have fun?
I really enjoy being around my family. My lovely wife and I have small children ages 8 and 4 and spending time with them is often enough for me. I’m a huge sports fan, as sports have been a major part of my life growing up. I enjoy art of all kinds and reading a good book whether it’s fiction or non-fiction. I like to ride my bike and when the weather is nice, I prefer to bike to most places if possible. But overall, on a weekend, you can typically find me around the house with the family getting small projects done and just enjoying their company.
