African American Legacy Awards $615,000 in its 2025 Grantmaking Cycle
African American Legacy (AAL), an initiative of The Chicago Community Trust, unites donors committed to supporting the Black community in the Chicago region.…
African American Legacy
Advancing philanthropy and empowerment in the African American community since 2003.
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2003
Year Founded
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$5.5+ Million
Dollars Granted
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$8+ Million
Dollars Raised
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160+
Organizations Funded
Photo: Current Members of African American Legacy, 2026.
AAL’s 20th Anniversary:
Reaching Back, Giving Forward
African American Legacy, an initiative of The Chicago Community Trust, recently celebrated its 20th anniversary honoring the vision and legacy of AAL’s founding members and supporters, two decades of impact, and hope for AAL’s future. Learn more.
Celebrating 20 Years of African American Legacy
African American Legacy’s 20th anniversary honors the vision and legacy of AAL’s founding members and supporters, two decades of impact, and hope for AAL’s future. Read reflections from 20 years of grant recipients.
Stories of Impact
Grant Cycle News
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African American Legacy Awards Over $270,000 in 2024 Grant Cycle
African American Legacy (AAL), an initiative of The Chicago Community Trust, is a philanthropic initiative led by Black civic and community leaders who…
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African American Legacy Awards $280,000 in 2023 Grants
African American Legacy (AAL), an initiative of The Chicago Community Trust, is a philanthropic initiative led by African American civic and community leaders…
Donald Stewart Fellowship
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Q&A with Dara Munson: 2024 Donald Stewart Fellowship Recipient
Dara Munson is President and CEO of Family Focus, an organization that helps families build social capital and achieve upward economic mobility through…
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Black History Month Spotlight: Britney Robbins, 2023 Donald Stewart Fellowship Recipient
To celebrate Black History Month, the Trust will be spotlighting Black leaders and Black-serving organizations that have contributed to the betterment of the…
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Pursuing the Arts to Facilitate Social Conversations: Tonika Johnson Awarded Third Donald Stewart Fellowship
In celebration of Black History Month, the Trust is featuring insights from philanthropists and leaders who are making a difference in the Chicago…
The Latest Stories
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Loann Honesty King: Co-Founder of African American Legacy, the Trust’s First Affinity Fund
Early in her teaching career, Loann Honesty King realized the importance of getting to know more about her high school students and their…
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Black Philanthropy Month Spotlight: Kafi Moragne-Patterson
Kafi Moragne-Patterson is the Senior Program Director of College and Career Success at the UChicago Inclusive Economy Lab where she manages a complex…
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Black Philanthropy Month Spotlight: Troy Boyd, Jr.
Troy Boyd, Jr. is the chief operating officer of Urban Prep Academies, educating young men in Chicago’s Bronzeville, Englewood, and Near West Side…
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Black History Month Spotlight: Kim Casey
To celebrate Black History Month, the Trust will be spotlighting Black leaders and Black-serving organizations that have contributed to the betterment of the…
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How African American Legacy Showcases the Transformative Power of Collective Giving
In celebration of Black History Month, the Trust is featuring insights from philanthropists and leaders who are making a difference in the Chicago…
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A Lifetime Commitment to “Doing Good in the World”
In celebration of Black Philanthropy Month, the Trust is featuring a series of conversations with Black philanthropists making their impact across the Chicago…
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Graham Grady: Making Connections and Giving from the Heart
In celebration of Black Philanthropy Month, the Trust is featuring a series of conversations with Black philanthropists making their impact across the Chicago…
Questions?
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Give to AAL
African American Legacy activates an engaged network of community leaders who share the common goal of improving the quality of life of African Americans in Chicago through the power of collective giving, community engagement, and grantmaking.
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Affinity funds are groups of donors united by a shared heritage, identity, or common interest. They offer an efficient way to support a specific group of people and the nonprofits that aid them by leveraging contributions through collective giving.
