2026 Connecting Communities Award

APPLICATION OPEN FEBRUARY 27 - APRIL 15, 2026

AWARD GUIDELINES

The Chicago Parks Foundation's Connecting Communities Award is designed to bring your PAC’s impact to the next level and foster a lasting connection between your park and your community.

This year, we are asking PACs to submit a program, project, or event that ENGAGES THE NEXT GENERATION to be considered for the Connecting Communities Award. Some PAC members have been involved with their park for years, and may be ready to pass the baton on to younger community members. Other PACs run programming in parks with many youth and teens, and want to include them in PAC projects and events. Whatever your PAC’s situation, we ask you to explore ways to engage the next generation through an event, project, or program you submit for this award!

Your submission can be “on theme” in various ways:

  • Youth are involved in the planning/behind the scenes work for the event/program/project

  • The audience of the event/program/project is young people

  • The event/program/project has the goal of welcoming younger people into the PAC as members

  • Get creative! We're open to your ideas. Wondering if your PAC's idea is a good fit for our theme? Reach out, I’d love to discuss with you! 

This award of $1,000 will be presented to one Park Advisory Council (PAC) from each region (North, Central, South) to support a community event, project, or program within a park that engages the next generation. To qualify, Park Advisory Councils must be in good standing with the Chicago Park District.

JOIN THE CELEBRATION! Awards will be presented at the Connecting Communities Celebration on May 6th! All PACs, whether you applied or not, are invited to attend.

A. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

PACs must submit and answer the following questions via the application by April 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM. Applications submitted after will not be accepted.

  • Do you have approval from your Park Supervisor and other vital staff in the planning of this program, project, or event? If yes, explain your communication with these important members of the park community.

  • In 500 words or less, describe the program, project, or event that this grant would fund. Please explain how the proposed program/project/event fulfills the theme and goal of ENGAGING THE NEXT GENERATION.

  • Describe the timeline or scope of the program, project, or event you're applying to have funded.

  • Specifically, how would the $1,000 be used?

  • Is the program, project, or event dependent on this award? If so, please explain.

  • In what way does this program, project or event benefit the community you serve?

B. RULES AND REGULATIONS

  • PAC must have approval from Park Supervisor and other vital park staff before applying.

  • PAC event/project/program must occur and be reimbursed by the end of April in the following year (April 30, 2027).

  • Applying PACs must be officially registered with the Chicago Park District and be in good standing by completing the 2025 Annual Report and fulfilling other requirements. Reach out to Maria Stone with questions regarding your responsibilities and status.

  • All PACs in good standing are welcome to apply. PAC does not have to be an active fiscal partner of the Chicago Parks Foundation to apply or win.

  • Program, project, or event should be non-denominational and inclusive of the entire community.

  • Award cannot be granted to a PAC that received the award in the previous year.

  • The Connecting Communities Award cannot be used for capital improvement projects.

C. REVIEW PROCESS

Applications will be anonymously reviewed and scored by Chicago Parks Foundation and community park leaders. The winning PAC from each region will be notified via email by April 22nd, and the winners will be celebrated at the Connecting Communities Celebration on May 6th hosted by the Chicago Parks Foundation. All PACs are invited, so whether or not your proposal is chosen, we hope to see you at the event - please stay tuned for more information and the RSVP form soon!

D. AWARD DETAILS

Winning PACs will receive a $1,000 grant to cover expenses of only the event/project/program that was submitted by the PAC. Expenses of the event/project/program will be discretionarily reimbursed with proof of purchase, or invoices can be directly sent to the Chicago Parks Foundation. The Chicago Parks Foundation will create and track a profit and loss report for each winning PAC.

AWARD APPLICATION