Federation. In the 1930s, the Civic Federation transitioned to an organization chiefly interested in improving government efficiency and tax reform.<ref>Douglas Sutherland, "Fifty Years on the Civic Front"], The Civic Federation, 1943. Pp. 16-17.</ref> The work of the Federation continues to evolve in the 21st century as a greater emphasis is placed on working with government officials to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and accountability of Chicago-area governments. DePaul University Special Collections and Archives holds the Civic Federation Collection, which contains reports, memoranda, correspondence, press releases, photographs, and other documents relating to the Civic Federation's foundation and operation from 1893, on. Funding The Civic Federation is classified as a 501(c)(3) public charity under U.S. Internal Revenue Code. The Civic Federation focuses on educational outreach and policy work, consistent with its tax-exempt status. It accepts no government support. The Federation receives funding from its members, which include many Chicago area corporations and service firms. The Civic Federation and Institute for Illinois' Fiscal Sustainability are also supported by a number of foundations including: The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation The Chicago Community Trust The Commercial Club Foundation The Joyce Foundation Motorola Foundation Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust The Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust The McCormick Foundation The Polk Bros. Foundation The Field Foundation of Illinois Woods Fund of Chicago Crown Family Philanthropies Robert Wood Johnson Foundation References Further reading Nord, David Paul. "The Paradox of Municipal Reform in the Late Nineteenth Century." Wisconsin Magazine of History 66.2 (1982): 128-142. Small, Albion W. "The Civic Federation of Chicago. A Study in Social Dynamics." American Journal of Sociology 1.1 (1895): 79-103. online Smith, Gary Scott. "When Stead Came to Chicago: The 'Social Gospel Novel' and the Chicago Civic Federation." American Presbyterians'' 68.3 (1990): 193-205. online External links Official website Non-profit organizations based in Chicago DePaul University Special Collections and Archives holdings