Strategic Plans

AIA Chicago Foundation 2024-2026
AIA Chicago 2025-2027

Shaping the Future of Chicago Architecture

A Strategic Plan is more than a document; it is a shared roadmap that aligns our resources, energy, and passion toward a common vision. For AIA Chicago, this strategic plan ensures that we are not merely reacting to the industry's changes, but actively leading them.

By defining clear goals for both the AIA Chicago Chapter and the AIA Chicago Foundation, we create a framework to advocate for the value of architects in our city’s growth, empower the next generation through resources and funding, innovate by fostering design excellence that prioritizes sustainability and inclusion, and sustain a thriving professional community through financial stewardship and member engagement.

These plans are the result of member feedback and leadership collaboration, designed to ensure that Chicago remains at the forefront of architectural impact.

Building on renewed energy for the mission and even more collaboration with the AIA Chicago chapter, the Foundation is charting a path for growth. In helping to remove barriers to create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive profession, the 2024 – 2026 strategic plan goals look to expand the ways in which the Foundation serves and supports the next generation of architectural changemakers.

Investing in Chicago’s next generation of architectural changemakers by awarding scholarships, grants, and recognition.

M I S S I O N

A city where the architecture profession is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.

V I S I O N

1A: Develop a framework for defining "architectural changemaker" that allows the Foundation to refine the current scholarships and awards criteria.

1B: Revise the application for each award and scholarship offered to align with the framework developed for the definition of "architectural changemaker”. Revise the evaluation criteria for each award and scholarship.

1C: Define the roles and responsibilities of jury chair, jury members, and staff for each award/scholarship or grant.

1D: Double the number of applicants to each award and scholarship by the end of 2026.

1E: Develop a process for considering proposed future awards, scholarships, and grants.

2A: Develop such policies and processes to guide the acceptance of sophisticated giving methods.

2B: Develop a funding strategy to ensure funds are available to support all the Foundation’s projects.

2C: Strengthen the partnership with the Chapter by determining clear established responsibilities, obligations, and activities within the MOU where the Foundation and Chapter can work together to drive the mission of the Foundation.

Building on the direct input from our member and program surveys, this Strategic Plan outlines a vision to celebrate your impact, promote learning, and advocate for Chicago’s architectural community. By serving as your collective voice, these goals aim to elevate your work and strengthen the profession as we build a more inclusive, sustainable future for all architects.

AIA Chicago champions members by celebrating their impact, promoting learning, and advocating for a thriving architectural community.

M I S S I O N

Fostering a culture of design excellence for equitable, sustainable places and spaces.

V I S I O N

5A: Establish charters for Knowledge Communities (KCs) and Affinity Groups (AGs) that identifies their respective missions, learner groups, and key success factors.

5B: Establish a framework for each KC and AG to provide relevant and engaging programs for all members.

5C: Update approaches to teaching, to optimize how readily learners can implement learning objectives into work or practice.

5D: Develop methodology for evaluating program effectiveness.

6A: Restructure and formalize the Advocacy Committee, task forces, and other subcommittees and re-evaluate the current decision tree process to clarify for members the volunteer and staff workflow and how the chapter identifies priorities.

6B: Develop the systems to facilitate more regular communication with and to members, partner organizations, and other large city AIA chapters.

6C: Develop the charter including mission and vision statement for the Equity Diversity and Inclusion Affinity Group and continue to grow, develop, and enhance the impact of this Affinity Group.

8A: Implement processes to ensure the awards program is equitable for AIA Chicago members and their firms and that the awards program is relevant to their work.

8B: Revamp the current Decarbonization Award to better recognize the chapter’s member achievements and innovations in sustainable design excellence.

8C: Recognize AIA Chicago members who contribute to award winning and/or published projects. Recognize AIA Chicago members who go above and beyond in service to the chapter.

9A: Concurrent with budget cycle, evaluate current revenue and expenses for programs and events in order to determine how to maximize opportunities for net revenue.

9B: Develop and implement an investment policy guiding how long-term reserve funds of the Chapter are invested in order to provide a financial buffer, cover special initiatives, increase assets, and provide long-term financial stability of AIA Chicago.

9C: Increase non-dues revenue to continually comprise more than 50% of the total budget.

Strategic Plans

AIA Chicago Foundation 2024-2026AIA Chicago 2025-2027

Shaping the Future of Chicago Architecture

AIA Chicago Foundation 2024-2026
AIA Chicago 2025-2027