Become a Member

Help create a place for members and partners to connect, collaborate, build organizational capacity, and improve international development strategies. Working together, we will strengthen Chicago’s global impact.

To become a member, you must be a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in the Chicago area and be working on global development issues. You must have staff or board members in the Chicago area, be engaged in activities (or provide technical assistance to organizations that have activities) dedicated to improving the economic, social and/or environmental conditions in developing countries and/or dedicated to addressing the needs and issues impacting immigrant and refugee communities in the Chicago area. The membership benefits extend to all staff and board members as appropriate. All nonprofit groups will be considered members; other interested entities will be considered partners.

  • $150
    Up to $100,000
  • $250
    $100,000–$499,999
  • $500
    $500,000–$999,999
  • $750
    $1,000,000–$2,999,999
  • $1,000
    $3,000,000 and above

Members will be given priority consideration for physical space when available.

Benefits of Membership

Members will enjoy access to a diverse network of peers and a wealth of resources that will enable them to work faster and more effectively.

  • Enhance the profile and amplify the presence of your organization
  • Your name and logo included on Simmons Center website - readily connecting interested people to you and you to service providers 
  • Promote your organization’s events and news on Simmons Center website and social media
  • Recognition in Simmons Center promotional materials, social media, annual reports, website
  • Access networking, organizational strengthening, and professional development
  • Members-only discussion boards with colleagues
  • Members-only affinity group meetings
  • Members-only coaching and mentoring opportunities
  • Members-only intern program
  • Members-only grant opportunities
  • Job Board for staff, interns, and board opportunities
  • Free access to Simmons Center trainings and expert panels.
  • Access to discounted affiliate expertise and training opportunities, such as audit and legal Q&A and referrals, and board development tools and training
  • $250–$1,000
    Social enterprises, small businesses, consultants, and government entities
  • $1,000-$10,000
    Universities and allied organizations
  • $1,000-$25,000
    Philanthropists, foundations, wealth advisors
  • $2,500-$25,000
    Business and corporate partners

Benefits of Partnership

Whether you are a consultant, donor, social enterprise, university program, small business, or corporation, you will find benefits from joining the Simmons Center for Global Chicago.

Social enterprises, small businesses, and consultants

  • Learn about needs and markets
  • Find resources for marketing and engagement
  • Present and highlight products/services and increase visibility via Simmons Center website
  • Network with peers and make connections with nonprofit community

Foundations, philanthropists, wealth and philanthropy advisors

  • Participate in donor learning events
  • Present grant portfolio strategies to global nonprofit groups
  • Gain insights and access expertise through field reports, dialogue opportunities with practitioners
  • Broaden and deepen reach of support in partnership with Simmons Center members
  • Join effort to streamline grant making processes, improving responsiveness and engagement
  • Access expert assessment to inform rapid response to crises for high impact mobilization

Universities and peer organizations

  • Provide student engagement, research, and internship opportunities
  • Connect faculty and research team to grassroots practitioners
  • Collaborate to inform rapid response to crises for high impact mobilization
  • Share and access thought leadership on addressing global challenges

Businesses and corporations

  • Access globally engaged resources and partners
  • Connect staff to learning, engagement, and board service opportunities
  • Create local-global connection for strategic philanthropic impact

Members and partners commit to…

  • Uphold the Simmons Center’s core values
  • Promote the Simmons Center as a place to convene and strengthen the global Chicago community
  • Share knowledge and information with your peers to create a stronger global Chicago community
  • Participate in an annual survey of connections and activities
  • Contribute to the Simmons Center community through leadership, working groups, peer collaboration, communications, or other channels

Our Members and Partners

Join your peers to strengthen and deepen collaboration and meet global challenges.

Apna GharApna Ghar
Art Works ProjectsArt Works Projects
BookwallahBookwallah
BorderlessBorderless
Bulamu HealthcareBulamu Healthcare
CROSOCROSO
Chicago Community TrustChicago Community Trust
Chicago Council on Global AffairsChicago Council on Global Affairs
Chicago Fair TradeChicago Fair Trade
Chicago Refugee CoalitionChicago Refugee Coalition
Children UpChildren Up
Children's Place InternationalChildren's Place International
Civic Infrastructure CollaborativeCivic Infrastructure Collaborative
Cofan Survival FundCofan Survival Fund
Crossing Borders MusicCrossing Borders Music
El Fuego del SolEl Fuego del Sol
Ensemble MediaEnsemble Media
Essence Consulting CollaborativeEssence Consulting Collaborative
Four Corners Global Consulting GroupFour Corners Global Consulting Group
Girl ForwardGirl Forward
Girls Supporting GirlsGirls Supporting Girls
Global Alliance for AfricaGlobal Alliance for Africa
Goldin InstituteGoldin Institute
Heartland Alliance InternationalHeartland Alliance International
Heifer InternationalHeifer International
ICDIICDI
India Development ServiceIndia Development Service
Lake Tanganyika Floating Health ClinicLake Tanganyika Floating Health Clinic
LakouLakou
Lily ProjectLily Project
Lynne J. Davidson, LLCLynne J. Davidson, LLC
MERIPMERIP
MIRAMIRA
MacArthur FoundationMacArthur Foundation
MedGlobalMedGlobal
MenteeMentee
Milaan FoundationMilaan Foundation
NPH-USANPH-USA
New Life for HaitiNew Life for Haiti
Northern Illinois University Center for Nonprofit and NGO StudiesNorthern Illinois University Center for Nonprofit and NGO Studies
Northwestern University- Buffett Institute for Global Affairs Northwestern University- Buffett Institute for Global Affairs
Opportunity InternationalOpportunity International
Peace JourneyPeace Journey
Project C.U.R.E.Project C.U.R.E.
Refugee Action NetworkRefugee Action Network
Refugee Education and Adventure Challenge (REACH)Refugee Education and Adventure Challenge (REACH)
Society for International Development - USSociety for International Development - US
Soondra FoundationSoondra Foundation
Surge for WaterSurge for Water
The University of Chicago Harris School of Public PolicyThe University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy
University of Chicago Development Economics Center at Becker Friedman InstituteUniversity of Chicago Development Economics Center at Becker Friedman Institute
Unlocking CommunitiesUnlocking Communities
Upwardly GlobalUpwardly Global
Voices and Faces ProjectVoices and Faces Project
Women's Global Education ProjectWomen's Global Education Project
World Bicycle ReliefWorld Bicycle Relief
World ChicagoWorld Chicago
World Wildlife FundWorld Wildlife Fund
Worldview SolutionsWorldview Solutions

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