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…
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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African American Legacy Awards $600,000 in 2026 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. Since…
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2026 End-of-Year Charitable Giving: Important Dates & Deadlines for Gifts & Grants
The end of the year is approaching and we at The Chicago Community Trust are committed to making your year-end giving and grantmaking…
“Partnerships & Initiatives” Stories
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African American Legacy Awards $600,000 in 2026 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. Since its founding…
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A Forever Resource: Nuestro Futuro Nears a $10 Million Endowment
Chicago’s diverse Latine communities are an economic and cultural force in our city. From small businesses that anchor neighborhoods to the food, art, and traditions…
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Chicago’s Next Chapter in Equitable Transit-Oriented Development
Five years ago this June, the City of Chicago adopted a bold vision and framework for equitable transit-oriented development (ETOD). The Chicago Plan Commission unanimously…
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A Decade of Partnership, and a Path Forward for Safer Communities: Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities Commemorates 10 Years of Collaboration
In 2025, Chicago experienced a 30 percent decline in violence compared to 2024, one of the most significant reductions in decades, a sign of progress…
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Q&A with Jae Jin Pak: A Voice for the Disability Community and Change
For Jae Jin Pak, disability identity is deeply connected to how he shows up in his work and community. As an Asian American immigrant with…
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LGBTQ Community Fund Releases 2026 Stakeholder Conversations Report
The LGBTQ Community Fund, an initiative of The Chicago Community Trust, is proud to announce the release of its latest report, We Are Each Other’s…
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Young Leaders Fund Awards $105,000 in its 2026 Grantmaking Cycle
Young Leaders Fund (YLF), an initiative of The Chicago Community Trust, has been paving the way for start-up nonprofits and the next generation of philanthropists…
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Pride, Progress, and Purpose: A Conversation with Jennie Brier & Ray Crossman
Each June, Pride Month offers a time to celebrate the achievements, contributions, and resilience of LGBTQ communities. An important vehicle for that work is the…
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Community Visions Brought to Life
In October 2025, we celebrated the culmination of We Rise Together: For an Equitable & Just Recovery, a five-year initiative supporting resilience and revitalization in…
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Joyce Ozeh: Passionate Disability Advocate
For Joyce Ozeh, a first-generation Nigerian-American and civil rights attorney with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, practicing law has always been a means to an…
