Illinois Nonprofits Gain Critical New Support in Navigating Federal Action with Free Access to Expert Advice
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 7, 2026
CONTACT:
Zindy Marquez
Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights
zmarquez@clccrul.org
Illinois Nonprofits Gain Critical New Support in Navigating Federal Action with Free Access to Expert Advice
Newly-launched Nonprofit Resilience Hub Opens to Illinois nonprofits wrestling with federal changes.
Illinois nonprofits have a new, free source of expert advice to help them navigate a fast-changing federal policy environment and keep their missions strong.
Shifts in federal policy can have widespread ramifications on nonprofits and the communities they serve, impinging on their access to funding streams, altering standards for legal compliance, and changing the regulatory landscape. The Nonprofit Resilience Hub, a partnership of BDO Nonprofit and Grantmaking Advisory Foundation, Chicago Bar Foundation,Chicago Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights, and Forefront — four organizations with longstanding roots in the nonprofit community — was created specifically to help support Illinois nonprofit leaders through these complex challenges.
The Hub is the first resource of its kind specifically designed for nonprofits in Illinois with operating budgets under $10 million. Overall, nonprofits employ 11% of the Illinois workforce and collectively serve every community across the state. Among the mosaic of critical services they provide, non-profits form a vital safety net to help Illinois residents combat hunger, protect their health; promote clean air and water; maintain affordable access to transportation and utilities; and defend legal rights.
"Federal policy shifts can leave nonprofits stretched and unsure what’s next," said Amy Cook, Director of the Economic Justice program at Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights. The Nonprofit Resilience Hub offers them free, trusted, confidential guidance from an integrated team of experts. “Our goal is to quickly assess the needs nonprofits are experiencing and provide them with tailored advice in an atmosphere where they can feel supported by someone with an authentic understanding of their profession and a personal commitment to their mission."
To capitalize on this crucial source of free support, nonprofit leaders simply connect to the Hub website, where they fill out a short assessment form and schedule a time for a one-on-one conversation with a Hub representative who can structure a plan that is tailored to their needs.
The Hub takes a holistic approach to counseling nonprofit leaders, connecting them to services in four core areas:
Legal Assistance - Legal information, advice, and assistance to assess risk and compliance across key nonprofit areas, including DEI, 501(c)(3) compliance, and federal funding certification requirements.
Financial Management - Expertise on financial planning, monitoring, and operations with a focus on strengthening nonprofit financial resilience in turbulent times.
Strategic Partnerships - Expertise on mergers, collaborations, and strategic partnership development, helping nonprofits explore, assess, and structure partnership opportunities that strengthen mission impact.
Prospect Research - Data driven strategy and research support based on your organization’s unique goals and funding needs, by subject expert librarians and leading databases.
Nonprofits are encouraged to contact the Hub if they are concerned about recent federal policy changes, so they can obtain support early in the process.
Behind the Hub is a partnership of four organizations with ample experience navigating the new pressures stemming from changes at the federal level:
BDO Nonprofit & Grantmaker Advisory - BDO Nonprofit & Grantmaker Advisory is a national practice focused on nonprofit financial management and capacity-building. Informed by decades of nonprofit expertise, we support the sector by providing training, coaching, and consulting services related to nonprofit financial management and operations.
The Chicago Bar Foundation (CBF) - The Chicago Bar Foundation coordinates the development of legal tools and resources, convenes the Legal Advisory Committee, provides grant support, and leads pro bono strategy and engagement for the Hub.
Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights – Chicago Lawyers’ Committee is a civil rights legal advocacy organization that brings extensive litigation, compliance, and nonprofit legal‑services experience to the Hub, delivering brief counseling, extended services, and litigation support to nonprofits facing legal threats.
Forefront - Forefront, Illinois’ statewide membership association for nonprofits and grantmakers, serves as the Hub’s central intake, coordination, and referral engine, providing strategic guidance, online resources, prospect research, and partnership/restructuring support.
The nonpartisan Hub will also include access to workshops and other programming to help nonprofits stay informed and nimble in acclimating to changes in the federal environment. For more information on the hub, visit myforefront.org/hub.
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