Assessment of the Trust's four-year initiative to invest in promoting sustainable models of high-quality local information

Chicago Council on Global Affairs task force report urges immigration reform to ensure economic competitiveness. Project funders include the Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust.

The strategies, investments and accomplishments of program-directed grant making for fiscal year 2012. Find a summary of grants in the Trust's first year of funding according to our new community goals.

Review of four years of grant making at the Trust specifically dedicated to relieving the sting of the recession. With thanks to our donors and the region's nonprofits, our vital partners in this fight.

Chicago's first new plan for strengthening the City's arts and cultural sector in more than 25 years, produced with funding support from the Trust

A look at the efforts of eight local arts nonprofits to deepend audience engagement through the Arts Engagement Exchange

This analysis of Chicago's online news ecosystem maps the connections among local websites. Created as part of the Trust's Community News Matters initiative

Following the first-of-its-kind 2010 report, this 2012 update assesses the depth and quality of online local news coverage in our region. Created as part of the Trust's Community News Matters initiative

Data summary from survey of over 2,000 respondents about the assets, needs and challenges of the LGBT community to inform grant making by the Trust's LGBT Community Fund

Assessment of the 2011 project to boost impactful local journalism, through the Trust's Community News Matters initiative

Resource guide identifies local organizations and individuals that help nonprofits deal with issues of management and governance

Findings from the 2011 Audience Engagement Exchange (AEE), from participants in the AEE programs developed as part of the Wallace Excellence Awards initiative.

An inside look at program-directed grant making for fiscal year 2011. Find a summary of grants in the Trust's five program priorities, plus strategic projects that cross program boundaries.

Research study conducted by Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and funded by the Trust examines the role of nonprofit dance arts organizations serving schools

Research study conducted by the Ravinia Festival and funded by the Trust examines the role of nonprofit music arts organizations serving schools

Research study conducted by the League of Chicago Theatres and funded by the Trust examines the role of nonprofit literary arts organizations serving schools

Research study conducted by the Art Institute of Chicago and funded by the Trust examines the role of nonprofit visual arts organizations serving schools

Program model and implementation guide developed by the Latino Education Alliance with support from Hispanics in Philanthropy and the Chicago Site Committee of the Funders' Collaborative for Strong Latino Communities

Report from Metropolis Strategies explores a regional approach to success in a global economy

Research explores information available to local residents for decision-making, identifies strengths and gaps. Commissioned as part of the Trust's Community News Matters initiative.

Assessment of the impact of federal stimulus funding in Chicago, conducted by students from the Harris School of Public Policy

Analysis of the structure of Chicago's online news ecosystem maps connections among local websites. Created as part of the Trust's Community News Matters initiative

Analysis of 2010 census data examines key trends in population shifts across the metro Chicago region, from demographics to education to poverty

Education plan for Chicago Public Schools includes a summary & discussion guide funded by the Trust

Report produced by Interfaith Housing Center of the Northern Suburbs and funded by the Trust looks at immigrants and housing in north suburbs

Handbook for organizations seeking to improve access for people with disabilities—includes templates, tip sheets and more

Independent analysis commissioned by the Trust confirms economic value of regional plan by Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning

Executive summary of analysis of Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning's GO TO 2040 regional plan

An overview of Trust grant making in fiscal 2010, from our five program areas to our collaboratives and partnerships

A report on basic trends in need, service and funding for legal aid, funded by the Trust and The Chicago Bar Foundation

Report commissioned by the Persons with Disabilities Fund shows Illinois ranking at the bottom in quality of life, highlights unmet promises of the ADA

Analysis of challenges and successes in implementing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

Case study from Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants & Refugees takes the Trust's Immigrant Integration Initiative as a model for collaboration

A summary of the Trust's 25-year investment in violence prevention, including known risk factors, effective intervention strategies, and outstanding local programs

Details how foundations and pro-bono business helped the City effectively distribute over $1 billion in federal stimulus funds

Report on local education commissioned by the Trust in conjunction with GO TO 2040, the comprehensive regional planning campaign of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP)

Report on our region's cultural vitality commissioned by the Trust in conjunction with GO TO 2040, the comprehensive regional planning campaign of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP)

Report on our region's disaster readiness commissioned by the Trust in conjunction with GO TO 2040, the comprehensive regional planning campaign of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP)

Report on our regional food infrastructure commissioned by the Trust in conjunction with GO TO 2040, the comprehensive regional planning campaign of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP)

Report on regional health care commissioned by the Trust in conjunction with GO TO 2040, the comprehensive regional planning campaign of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP)

Report on inter-group relations in our region commissioned by the Trust in conjunction with GO TO 2040, the comprehensive regional planning campaign of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP)

Report on hunger and food assistance programs commissioned by the Trust in conjunction with GO TO 2040, the comprehensive regional planning campaign of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP)

Report on our regional justice systems commissioned by the Trust in conjunction with GO TO 2040, the comprehensive regional planning campaign of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP)

Report on local workforce development commissioned by the Trust in conjunction with GO TO 2040, the comprehensive regional planning campaign of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP)

Assessment across various nonprofit sectors, produced by the Trust and Social IMPACT Research Center at Heartland Alliance

An approach to estimating the IL workforce's dependence on human service jobs, produced by the Trust and Social IMPACT Research Center at Heartland Alliance

Summary of the Unity Challenge's first year, which raised $4 million for grants to 177 nonprofit agencies fighting the human toll of the recession

Working paper from the Wisconsin Center for Education Research building on the Trust's Education Initiative

Prepared by Center for Neighborhood Technology, this report outlines a plan for making the region’s homes and offices energy efficient using federal stimulus funding

List of local government agencies, non-government programs and services available to provide free or low-cost legal assistance, produced by The Chicago Bar Association

The Community Economic Development Law Project presents alternatives for Illinois nonprofits facing serious financial pressures

First-of-its-kind report, commissioned by the Trust and produced by the Community Media Workshop, assesses online local news coverage in our region

The Regional Home Ownership Preservation Initiative (Regional HOPI) is the Chicago metropolitan area’s integrated approach to exerting a collective, measurable impact on the foreclosure crisis. This document summarizes their progress and presents a Regional Action Plan.

Examines the financial, political, and administrative capacity of townships and municipalities to provide human services and begins to answer two primary questions: What is the current role of suburban townships and municipalities in delivering social services? What is their capacity to enhance their role in the future?

This first-of-its-kind resource for the Latino community is a collaborative effort between the Trust and the Center for Metropolitan Chicago Initiatives of the Institute for Latino Studies, University of Notre Dame.

Report details the public-private partnership to modernize, coordinate, and expand efforts to create "learning landscapes" that benefit all children in Chicago’s public schools

Report details five years of funding education improvement initiatives

2007 study by United Way of Metropolitan Chicago and The Chicago Community Trust

The Fellowship for Community Leaders presents its recommendations for reducing infant mortality and improving teen literacy.

A University of Notre Dame study about the growth and change of Chicago’s Latino population and the role it plays in the city’s economy.

Commissioned on behalf of the Illinois Food and Community Funders Group, a coalition of public and private organizations, this study explores the opportunities for joint or individual actions that would change the Illinois and Chicago food systems.

The Trust presents its 2004 study of the changes in Chicago’s arts and cultural community and how they will inform future Trust funding.

A survey conducted by the Trust in the 2000 – 2001 school year.