Innovating Giving Back…
Revolutionizing Community Growth, Impact & Opportunity
Prime For Change (PFC) is rooted in community and driven by impact, bringing together residents, grassroots organizations, and local leaders to create real pathways to economic mobility. Through workforce development, entrepreneurship, small business support, financial literacy, and exposure to AI and emerging technologies, we ensure communities are equipped to grow and lead. We don’t just serve individuals, we build pipelines to success by connecting resources, expanding opportunity, and turning local potential into lasting progress.
Let’s Build Together…
Unlike traditional nonprofit frameworks, where organizations often operate in silos, PFC unites smaller nonprofits under a shared mission while allowing them to retain their unique identities. By centralizing resources, expertise, and strategic support, we foster an ecosystem of collaboration that amplifies each organization’s strengths and impact.
How We Power
Community Success
Economic Development & Community Outreach
We drive economic development by increasing revenue generation within underserved neighborhoods by strengthening local wealth building ecosystems. Our initiatives focus on helping entrepreneurs start, stabilize, and scale businesses through financial literacy education, business development training, access to capital guidance, and strategic growth planning. By hosting commerce-centered events, we create direct sales opportunities, vendor marketplaces, and platforms that circulate dollars within the community. We support small business expansion, connect founders to procurement and contract opportunities, and encourage collaborative buying power to keep spending local. Through our sister for-profit arm, Prime Proposal Group, we even help with bidding.
Job Readiness Training (JRT), Workforce Development & Skills Advancement
PFC prepares individuals for sustainable, living wage career pathways by combining industry aligned job readiness training, structured pre-apprenticeship programs, and direct pipelines into high demand sectors such as artificial and information technology. Participants receive hands-on technical instruction, workplace readiness coaching, and exposure to employer expectations that prepare them for immediate entry into the workforce. Through our partners, individuals access a variety of technical careers with practical, skills-based training that leads to apprenticeship placement and credential advancement to address employment barriers.
Structured Mentorship & Leadership Development
Our team invests deeply in young people by providing structured mentorship, leadership development, and exposure to real world career pathways. Each year, we support 100+ youth during the summer through intensive programming, including initiatives such as One Summer Chicago and Chicago Youth Works, where participants gain hands-on experience across industries including technology, entrepreneurship, skilled trades, real estate, and creative arts. Youth engage in project-based learning, workforce readiness training, financial literacy, and professional development workshops while earning stipends that reinforce the value of work and responsibility. By pairing young people with mentors and industry professionals, we expand their networks and future net worth.
“I brainstormed Prime For Change because I saw the untapped potential in smaller nonprofits that were doing incredible work but lacked the resources and support to reach their full impact. Collaboration is the key to transforming communities, and I wanted to create a space where these organizations could thrive together, share resources, and win big. It’s about breaking barriers, amplifying voices, and making meaningful change—together.”
— Tammy Brownlee, Founder of Prime For Change
Summer is Coming!
Get Paid! Earn to Learn…
Chicago youth have an incredible opportunity to gain real world experience, earn money, and build skills for the future through the Chicago Youth Works Summer Jobs Program. Apply today at ChicagoYouthWorks.org and be sure to select Prime For Change as your program provider. This summer, 120 youth will participate in a hands-on workforce experience designed to prepare young people for the future economy, earning $480 while building valuable career skills, confidence, and direct exposure to industry professionals. Participants will explore real world career pathways including AI and technology, sports management, real estate and entrepreneurship, and childcare ownership. To participate, youth must be a Chicago resident, be ages 14–15, provide a current report card, and be ready to learn, grow, and explore new career pathways.
Evidence-Based Services
Youth Development, Life Skills Building, Career Pathways & Workforce Development
At PFC, we are deeply committed to uplifting communities by focusing on key areas that drive personal and professional growth. Our Youth Development initiatives inspire and mentor the next generation, equipping them with the tools and confidence to reach their full potential. In fact, our grant-funded One Summer Chicago program, Prime Future Entrepreneurs, equips youth to become owners and leaders-not just employees. Through life skills building, we provide practical training that empowers individuals to navigate everyday challenges with resilience and self-assurance. Our career pathways programs open doors to meaningful employment opportunities, while our workforce development efforts prepare participants with the skills, knowledge, and connections needed to thrive in competitive job markets.
Barrier Reduction, Wraparound Services, Community Engagement & Economic Development
We are also committed to strengthening communities by addressing barriers that prevent individuals and families from achieving long-term stability. Our barrier reduction and wraparound services provide essential supports such as: transportation assistance, workforce navigation, mentorship, and access to community-based resources that promote independence and upward mobility. Through intentional community engagement, we meet residents where they are, build trust, and ensure programs reflect real neighborhood needs. Our economic empowerment strategy focuses on expanding entrepreneurship, workforce pathways, financial literacy, and small business development to create sustainable opportunities for growth and wealth building.
Tech is the Future…
An innovative pre-apprenticeship program dedicated to empowering youth with access to high-quality education and hands-on training in cutting-edge technology fields. By fostering creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, our 12-week curriculum prepares our participants to become future innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders in the tech industry.
Coalition Partners, Funders & Supporters
Our Founder & Visionary…
Tammy Brownlee, MBA
For more than half my life, I’ve helped nonprofits secure multi-million dollar grants and for-profits win over half a billion in RFPs across the U.S. and Caribbean. Over time, I saw a pattern—organizations could win funding through my efforts but lacked the structure and support to sustain it. That gap led to the creation of Prime For Change (PFC), built to provide the guidance, collaboration, and “Dream Team” approach organizations need to grow and truly make an impact.
At PFC, we partner with smaller nonprofits by bringing them into our network and equipping them with the resources, guidance, and support needed to strengthen their programs, staff, and overall impact. Our leadership team—Tammy Brownlee, President; Marquita Dorsey, Treasurer; Sparkle Scott-Wilson, Secretary; and Charles Edwards, Executive Director—is committed and ready to serve. After securing tens of millions in funding across Illinois, this initiative was launched in my hometown with a vision to expand into cities nationwide. With an MBA in Nonprofit Organizational Management and over 25 years of experience across universities, government, and the private sector, I bring a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed. Now it’s time to execute…
Industry + Drone Day
Real World Deliverables
PFC Harvest Fest
Interested In Joining A Program?
Donate to PFC
Prime For Change is flipping the script on giving back - and your donation makes it all possible. From youth to workforce development and support services, we equip young deserving participants with the real-world tools they need to lead, earn, and own their future. Whether you give $1,000 or sponsor a teen’s full experience for $10,000, you’re investing in the next entrepreneur, educator, or CEO coming straight out of Chicago’s South Side. Donate today, because the future doesn’t fund itself (but you can help).