Chicago LGBT Community Needs Assessment
In partnership with The LGBT Community Fund of The Chicago Community Trust, Morten Group announces the beginning of a major LGBT Community Needs Assessment for the Chicago area.
The newly-established LGBT Community Fund's mission is to encourage philanthropy among members of the LGBT community, corporate entities and private individuals, as well as to support nonprofit organizations and programs that better the lives of LGBT individuals and families in the Chicago area. Morten Group is a consulting firm specializing in social change through skills development, public policy and advocacy.
The first phase of the project consists of individual community members filling out an online survey and responding to questions on paper via community drop boxes. Both the survey and the data cards will be available in Spanish as well as in English. If you are a member of Chicago's LGBT community, we encourage you to add your voice to the dialogue by completing the survey online and/or by filling out a data card in the community drop box nearest you.
Why is the needs assessment being done?
The Steering Committee of The LGBT Community Fund of The Chicago Community Trust is seeking information on the needs of and issues facing the community in order to allocate funding in a way that effectively meets those needs.
Who should fill out the online survey?
Individuals residing in the Chicagoland area who self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender are welcome to fill out the online survey.
How can I access the survey?
If you belong to a community group or organization that we've partnered with, you'll receive information on how to participate through them. If you don't belong to any such groups, you may also access the survey through Morten Group's website, http://www.mortengroup.com, and through The Chicago Community Trust website, http://lgbtfund.org.
Who should complete data cards for the community drop box?
Individuals who have NOT filled out the online survey should complete data cards. If you do not belong to or work with any LGBT organizations, we still want to hear from you. The community drop boxes will be placed in a variety of locations that provide services to the LGBT community, but in some cases may not be identified as LGBT organizations.
What kinds of questions will the online survey and data cards for the community drop box ask?
The survey and data cards for the community drop box will ask questions on a variety of topics relating to individual and community life, ranging from demographic information to personal relationships to healthcare to human services.
How long will it take to complete the online survey and the data cards?
We estimate that it will take approximately 25 minutes to complete the online survey, and approximately 5 minutes to fill out a data card.
What other methods are you using to collect information?
During the second phase of the project, Morten Group will also be conducting interviews with different community leaders and holding focus groups throughout the Chicagoland area.
What about privacy? Who will have access to my information?
Once you fill out the survey, your information enters our secure database where only the researchers will have access to it. Your identifying information will not be revealed to any third parties.
How can I find out the results of the assessment?
The results of the assessment, once compiled and analyzed, will be shared in a number of community presentations.