Archana and Sudhir K. Agrawal: “Giving Makes Us Feel at Home.”

When Archana and Sudhir K. Agrawal moved to Chicago in 2021 after more than 30 years in Memphis, they were captivated by the city’s vibrant cultural scene and beautiful lakefront – but they didn’t know a single person here.

One of the first things they did was seek out a way to get involved with the community. Their search quickly led them to the Trust.

The Agrawals were already familiar with the role community foundations play in local philanthropy. In Memphis, Sudhir – a private wealth advisor for more than 26 years – served on the board of governors of the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis, and the couple established a donor advised fund there.

At the Trust, they found the same welcoming spirit.

“The Trust made it so easy for us to connect to our new community,” says Archana, co-founder and chief marketing officer for the couple’s wealth management company.

“We were trying to build a life here like we had in Memphis, but this time we had to speed it up. We don’t have another 30 years to lay down roots!” she adds with a smile.

The Agrawals have quickly become part of the Trust community – attending donor events, creating a donor advised fund, and tapping the Trust’s knowledge of local organizations that match their giving interests.

“The Trust has the best pulse on what’s happening in the community,” Sudhir says. “As donors, we tend to focus on what we know. The Trust has a broader vision and can make us aware of other community needs we can help with.”

Archana recently founded the A & S Agrawal Foundation, a nonprofit committed to uplifting individuals and communities through education, cultural initiatives and humanitarian programs. She and Sudhir are passionate about supporting basic human needs and higher education — causes influenced by their journeys as immigrants from India.

As Sudhir puts it, “When I arrived in this country at 18 with two suitcases, one semester of tuition, and no place to live, people stepped up to help me. This country gave us a life beyond what we imagined.” Archana agrees: “Giving back is our way of sharing those blessings.”

“The Trust is like a home away from home. Every time we attend an event, we get that warm, fuzzy feeling.”

SUDHIR K. AGRAWAL
Trust Donor