On the agenda: Virginia M. Esposito, president of the National Center for Family Philanthropy and a noted national leader in the field, led an interactive discussion with local donors. The panel explored how philanthropic families stay true to their values yet adapt their grant making with the times; strategies for managing generational transitions; and tactics for working together when family members are geographically dispersed. Panelists included Shawn Donnelley of the Trust's Executive Committee and Marguerite Griffin, a director of the Trust's African American Legacy.

On the agenda: Our expert panel shares how they are ensuring that sustainability and responsibility are central to housing, and that all residents can access quality, affordable homes in the region: Cindy Holler, president of Mercy Housing Lakefront; Ofelia Navarro, executive director of the Spanish Coalition for Housing; Geoff Smith, senior vice president of Wodstock Institute; and Joanna Trotter, community development director of Metropolitan Planning Council.

Moderated by: Roberto Requejo, program officer.

The Trust's impact: The Chicago Community Trust works to ensure residents have access to affordable, quality housing through grant making priorities that address homeless prevention, promote affordable rental housing and preserve homeownership. We have provided long-term support for the Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness, funded a Housing Roundtable to coordinate advocacy at the state level, supported residential developers and provided outreach to homeowners facing foreclosure. Below are the Trust grant recipients working in these fields:

On the agenda: A diverse panel of leaders from the Trust's SMART Growth grant recipients discussed the challenges facing small arts organizations today: Joan Gray, president of Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago; PJ Powers, artistic director of TimeLine Theatre; Roche Shulfer, executive director of the Goodman Theatre; and Eddie Torres, artistic director of Teatro Vista. The evening ended with a dance performance by Ensemble Español.

Moderated by: Suzanne Connor, senior program officer in arts & culture.

The Trust's impact: Our SMART Growth grant initiative was created to the strengthen the region's small community-based arts organizations. Since 2006, the SMART Growth Initiative has helped these 40 small organizations "graduate" with the management capacity to effectively support their artistic mission, contribute to their communities, pay a living wage to their artists and employees, and diversify sources of revenue:

On the agenda: An expert panel of leaders from Trust grant recipient organizations explored the link between these seemingly contradictory public health problems. Kate Maehr, the CEO of the Greater Chicago Food Depository, delved into how to supply healthy food to low-income communities. From Adam Becker, Ph.D., M.P.H., donors learned about efforts by the Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children to reduce obesity in youth. Funder collaborative Fresh Taste, represented by director Karen Lehman, reported on ground-breaking efforts by Chicago community groups to eliminate food deserts.

Moderated by: Cheryl Whitaker, M.D., M.P.H., senior program officer in health.

The Trust's impact: Our grant making strategy aims to build a robust, functioning food system ensuring secure supplies of nutritious, locally grown food for healthy, active communities. The following nonprofit organizations have exemplary programs funded by the Trust that address the root causes of hunger and obesity:

On the agenda: The executive director of CeaseFire introduced its public health approach to the violence epidemic. The Chicago Police Department showed new data technology that's sharpening its ability to understand, predict and prevent violence. The City of Chicago described efforts to give youth meaningful alternatives to violence, while Chicago Public Schools shared its three-part approach to a safer school experience. From program officer Diana N. Derige, donors learned about standout programs from the Trust's grant portfolio.

Moderated by: Phillip Thomas, senior program officer in community development.

The Trust's impact: In neighborhoods where the Trust has funded antiviolence intervention, the rate of shootings and killings has dropped significantly. The following agencies provide exemplary programs to limit risk factors for youth violence: