"This Work Is Personal": A Q&A with Luis Roman on Identity, Advocacy and Community
Luis Roman didn’t plan to become a changemaker. But what began as a post-college internship focused on LGBTQ+ immigrant integration quickly evolved into…
Stories
Spotlights on community issues, the people, and the organizations who contribute to effective philanthropy as well as a stronger Chicago region and world.
Recent Stories
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Pre-Development Fund: Helping Communities Realize Their Visions for Thriving Neighborhoods
When I first arrived at The Chicago Community Trust, I was really focused on understanding the place-based factors driving the region’s wealth gap.…
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Dreaming Beyond the Boundaries: Jennifer Hodges Awarded Sixth Donald Stewart Fellowship
Jennifer Hodges is the co-founder and vice president of KIPP Chicago’s Whole Child Initiative, a program that supports students, teachers and families through…
“Donor Profile” Stories
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The Block Family: A Legacy of Impactful Leadership
The Block family’s legacy of civic and philanthropic leadership is deeply woven through both Chicago’s history and the Trust’s. In 1893, the family founded the…
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Fifth Third Builds a New Model for Community Development in South Chicago
Fifth Third Bank’s long history of supporting communities goes back to 1948, when it became the first U.S. financial institution to establish a charitable foundation.…
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Larry Saret on Supporting What Matters to You
Larry Saret first met the Trust when he was a senior in high school. His father had passed away five years earlier, and he was…
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Making Meaningful Difference: A Q&A with Philanthropist Laura Gutierrez
Giving back is part of who Laura Gutierrez is and how she chooses to show up in the world. What began as a high school…
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Black Philanthropy Month Spotlight: Natashia Holmes
Natashia L. Holmes is the founder of McMillan Holmes LLC, a law firm specializing in real estate and property law. Prior to starting her firm,…
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JPMorgan Chase Pursues A More Inclusive Chicago Economy
In 2020, JPMorgan Chase announced a $30 billion commitment to help address the racial wealth gap. This included $150 million in philanthropic capital and low-cost…
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Partnering with McDonald's to Serve Up Change for Chicago's Youth
McDonald’s roots in Chicago date back to 1955. It’s why now, as one of the largest employers headquartered in the city, the company is committed…
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The Liebman Family: A Tradition of Thoughtful, Compassionate Giving
The Liebman family has spent decades quietly nourishing social, educational and economic causes in the Chicago region and beyond. For the Liebmans, philanthropy is a…
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Michael Friedberg: Professional Advisor, Passionate Problem-Solver
Michael Friedberg thrives on solving problems. It’s a large part of why he finds his work as an attorney and advisor to high-net-worth individuals and…
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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 life experiences…
