The Emergency Fund & All Chicago
Our Beginnings
In 1973, Norman H. Stone, a local businessman and philanthropist, read an article about a Chicago family in need who could not find financial assistance in a quick and efficient manner. Based on the values of providing help immediately and without red tape, Mr. Stone founded the Emergency Fund. He built a collaborative organization to meet the needs of low-income individuals and families in the Chicago area experiencing a crisis or transition. With the support of businesses, human service agencies, and community advocates, the Emergency Fund assisted thousands of individuals and families, covering costs for medication, food, bus passes, rent, utility payments, and many other basic needs. Upon Mr. Stone’s death in 1985, his widow, Ida, assumed the presidency of the Emergency Fund.
A Legacy Continued
In 1997, Ida was named Chairman Emeritus, and her son, Alan Stone, took over as President of the Emergency Fund to continue his father’s legacy. Alan expanded the organization to establish it as a lead non-profit serving the homeless and those in need of immediate financial assistance. Through his leadership, the Emergency Fund forged partnerships with hundreds of social service agencies in Chicago and provided innovative educational and training offerings to an extensive network of partners. Alan served as Chairman until 2002 and later served on the Board of Directors.
The Emergency Fund’s Transformation
In 2002, the Emergency Fund merged with the non-profit My Brothers’ Keeper, which expanded the organization’s services to include assistance for people to become self-sufficient. In 2007, the Emergency Fund was selected by the Chicago Alliance to End Homelessness (CAEH) to administer the State Homelessness Prevention Funds for Chicago, becoming the largest provider of homelessness prevention assistance in the state. The CAEH had been created through a merger of several non-profits to develop, support, and sustain effective strategies to end homelessness in Chicago and to administer federal and state grants.
Becoming All Chicago
In 2011, the Emergency Fund and Chicago Alliance to End Homelessness consolidated operations. The two organizations maintained separate 501(c)(3) statuses while working closely together under the umbrella of All Chicago Making Homelessness History.
It became clear that by combining the Emergency Fund’s focus on preventing homelessness with the Chicago Alliance’s focus on strengthening the citywide response to homelessness, a larger impact could be made. On May 21, 2015, the Chicago Alliance and Emergency Fund legally merged as All Chicago Making Homelessness History.
