March 4: Bridging the Trust Gap - A Chicago event for nonprofit and grantmaking leaders

In Chicago’s social sector, relationships drive impact - yet many of the systems designed to support partnership unintentionally create distance.

This gathering brings together nonprofit and funding leaders for honest, human conversation - no pitches, no slides, no performance.

We’ll explore a simple but powerful question together: What becomes possible when funders and nonprofits engage in open, two-way dialogue?

Event Details

Date: Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Time: 8:30–10:00am CT
Location: Impact House
200 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60606

Space is limited to support meaningful conversation.

What to Expect

A light breakfast and connection with peers
Short, story-driven reflections from three local nonprofit leaders
A facilitated dialogue on trust, partnership, and learning
Small-group conversations designed for openness and honest exchange

This is not a pitch. It’s a space to listen, learn, and reconnect with the purpose behind the work.

We can't wait to see you there!

Register to attend:

Speakers

Verneé Green

CEO at Mikva Challenge

Verneé Green is the Chief Executive Officer of Mikva Challenge, a national civic education nonprofit that has engaged over 300,000 youth in developing empowered, informed, and active civic leaders. With 30 years of experience in education and nonprofit sectors, she joined Mikva Challenge's Illinois staff in 2018 and became National CEO in 2021. Green holds a Bachelor's degree from Illinois Wesleyan University and a Master's from the University of Chicago's School of Social Service Administration. She is a fellow of Leadership Greater Chicago and in 2022 received the Beacon Award from The CAFE Group's 1954 Project, recognizing the impact of Black leaders across the education ecosystem.

Jamyle Cannon

Founder & Executive Director at The Bloc

Jamyle Cannon is the Founder and Executive Director of The Bloc, which he launched in 2016 after building a popular boxing program in his classroom. He is the 2009 National Collegiate Boxing Champion and a Teach for America Alumni member, holding a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from the University of Kentucky and a Master's in Education from Arizona State University. Cannon combines youth development, boxing, and education to serve Chicago's West Side. He has been recognized as a CNN Hero, a 4-Star Chicagoan by Windy City Live, and a Luminary Award Winner for his work building community resources and changing the after-school landscape.

Priya Shah

Founder & CEO at The Simple Good

Priya Shah is a Chicago creative and entrepreneur connecting communities through art and social consciousness. She holds degrees in Accounting & Finance from the University of Illinois and worked at Ernst & Young and Groupon before founding The Simple Good, a nonprofit empowering youth to become positive activists through art and discussion. Shah serves as a Strategist for Obama Foundation Scholars and is a Legacy Fellow at the Ariane de Rothschild Foundation. She has been named Crain's Business Magazine Most Notable in Community Development, received the Asian Hustle Network 2024 Unsung Hero Award, and is a speaker with the Peace is Loud Bureau. She is also co-author of the children's book 'Sheroes of COVID-19' and producer of the upcoming documentary Building Hope.

Bridging the Trust Gap: Creating Dialogue Between Chicago's Nonprofits and Funders