Strides for Peace envisions a Chicago where all can thrive and live free of the fear of gun violence.

Our mission is to increase the collective impact of community organizations working to end gun violence, save lives and build a stronger Chicago.

We believe that everyone has a stake in ending gun violence and that communities have the answers. Our work is centered around harnessing the power of community organizations and providing new pathways for people who care to get involved.

Our strategy is founded on the understanding that community organizations and grassroots leaders are one of our city’s greatest assets, but too often are left out of decision- and policy-making, resulting in approaches and narratives that miss opportunities for impact, equity and change. We view these structural exclusions as creating investment and proximity gaps, and our work is centered on closing these gaps by providing funding, field development, advocacy and civic engagement opportunities.