To combat the Great Depression, the Trust raised $15 million in aid from 1931—1935. Today the Unity Challenge is inspiring new donations for relief to those hit hardest by the recession.

The Partnership for New Communities supports the most ambitious reconstruction of public housing in American history. This collaborative housed at the Trust has placed more than 5,000 residents in quality jobs.

Through the Trust's Asian Giving Circle, members have contributed more than $90,000 to nonprofits serving the diverse Asian populations across our region.

Mayor Daley chose the Trust to co-chair the Chicago Recovery Partnership, a public-private collaboration that allocated the city’s $1 billion in federal stimulus funds.

The Searle Scholars Program supports research in medicine, chemistry and biology. The 467 Scholars include MacArthur Fellows, a Nobel Prize winner, and Elaine Fuchs, shown here receiving the National Medal of Science.

50,000 people have found help at Mt. Prospect’s Community Connections Center, opened in 2009 through a Trust grant. The multilingual Center offers a library, health services, finance counseling and more.

Ten local business leaders created the Springboard Foundation at the Trust in 1998. The group has built a strong track record of early support to emerging after-school programs like Hooked on Drums.

The Trust has long provided grant support to arts organizations like Luna Negra Dance Theatre—part of a deep commitment to our region’s vibrant cultural landscape.

One Chicago, One Nation was founded at the Trust in 2009 to dispel stereotypes of American Muslims and begin dialogue across cultural boundaries.