Nuestro Futuro Awards $500,000 in 2026 Grantmaking Cycle
Nuestro Futuro, an initiative of The Chicago Community Trust, elevates Latine philanthropy to support Chicago-area organizations and programs aimed at improving the quality…
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
-
-
From Foundation to Home: Three Families Begin Their Next Chapter in Austin
“To my first home!” Courtney exclaimed as she jingled the keys to her new residence in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. Last year, Habitat for…
-
A Program that Builds Savings Just by Paying Rent on Time
Between rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, and other everyday expenses, many Chicagoans are focused on getting through the month. Nearly half of Chicago renters…
“Grantmaking” Stories
-
A Program that Builds Savings Just by Paying Rent on Time
Between rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, and other everyday expenses, many Chicagoans are focused on getting through the month. Nearly half of Chicago renters spend more…
-
Physical Spaces That Are Inspiring Possibility Across Chicago
“When you build beautiful spaces, you encourage people to do beautiful things,” said Caleb Herod, whose work at The Chicago Community Trust focuses on helping families…
-
Rebuilding Chicago’s Corridors, One Small Business at a Time
Across many parts of Chicago, vibrant commercial corridors are key contributors to neighborhood vitality, providing jobs, essential goods and services, and places where communities gather.…
-
Progress on the Trust’s Policy Priorities in the 2026 Illinois Legislative Session
As the Illinois General Assembly adjourned the spring 2026 legislative session on June 1st, the state closed out a consequential period marked by significant progress…
-
Advancing Access to Health Care Across the Chicago Region
Across Illinois, a significant number of adults report delays in getting medical care—or going without it altogether—because of cost, difficulty accessing providers, and gaps in…
-
Developing Leaders, Strengthening Communities
The Chicago Community Trust launched the Community & Civic Leadership funding program to support established leadership development programs and organizations with a proven track record…
-
A Place to Stay, A Path to Stability
A home is more than bricks and mortar — it’s where we find safety, stability, and a sense of belonging. For many, owning a home…
-
Making Big Ideas Real, Together
When it comes to solving complex challenges, what can philanthropy do? How do we build spaces where funders and nonprofit partners can dream, experiment, and…
-
South and West Side Neighborhood Revitalization Starts with its Residents
Community development in neighborhoods that have long faced underinvestment begins with the people who know their communities best. On Chicago’s South and West sides, community-based…
-
How Restricted Funds Can Support Chicago’s Creative Community
For many donors, a love of the arts is deeply personal, shaped by formative experiences in classrooms, concert halls, neighborhood theaters, and community centers. That…
