Lisandra Lao, and How She’s Inspiring the Next Generation of Young Philanthropists

For 30 years, The Chicago Community Trust’s Young Leaders Fund (YLF) has empowered young adults to actively participate in philanthropy by interacting with grassroots nonprofits, conducting site visits, and collaboratively awarding grants. YLF gives members a meaningful way to fuel community change while building professional networks and developing civic leadership skills.

Lisandra Lao joined YLF in 2023 and has quickly become an enthusiastic community connector through social media. A Chicago resident who’s passionate about building generational wealth, community care, and meaningful service, Lisandra is now using her voice and her social media influence to bring more young professionals into philanthropy.

Recently, Lisandra sat down with The Chicago Community Trust to share how YLF transformed her understanding of impact, and why she hopes others will be inspired to give back too.

Tell us about a person you admire, a hero from your childhood, or somebody who changed your life.

Lisandra Lao: I owe so much of who I am to my parents. They often tell me, “I want you to be and do better than me.” This simple, but powerful motivational mantra has helped ground me throughout the years, knowing I have a responsibility to excel and succeed. With their support, I’ve had the freedom to define what that means to me. As a third generation Puerto Rican American, I aim to honor my lineage while establishing new foundations. Advisors from middle and high school also changed my life, seeing the potential in me and opening doors to educational opportunities I didn’t know existed. Attending my boarding high school, Milton Academy, was a major catalyst in my early adulthood. The experience helped build my resilience, independence, and confidence at a young age—all skills that have changed my life. As a thank you to those who have poured into me throughout my educational career, I aim to have a similar impact on others.

What was the first moment that inspired your philanthropic journey?

LL: I’ve always volunteered, but in high school, there was a specific moment I remember when students of all backgrounds came together during the Black Lives Matter movement. As a Latina, I realized how powerful it is to stand with others, to empathize, and to show up for needs beyond your own. Fostering community shaped what giving means to me.

What sparked your interest in joining the Young Leaders Fund, and how do you participate in it?

LL: I joined the Young Leaders Fund because I was looking for a deeper way to connect with Chicago and give back to the city. An alumna of YLF introduced me to the program. Once I learned the volunteer group empowers young adults to make grantmaking decisions to support small, start-up nonprofits, I knew it was exactly where I wanted to be. I was a recipient of financial aid, grants, and mentorship throughout my educational career. Joining YLF was a way for me to shift from being a beneficiary of community support to becoming someone who helps distribute it.

Since joining YLF, I’ve become more rooted in my city as I’ve learned about the many nonprofits working to support communities across Cook County. Members participate through one of three interest groups—youth development & education, economic development & innovation, or arts & culture—where we research nonprofits, narrow down organizations, conduct interviews and site visits, and ultimately decide where our grant dollars can make the greatest impact.

One of my most memorable experiences was during the 2023–2024 grant cycle, when I was assigned the Orange Tent Project (OTP), a nonprofit supporting Chicagoans experiencing homelessness with insulated tents, meals, and mentorship. During a site visit in Humboldt Park, I joined volunteers who built fifteen insulated tents in four hours. Seeing the gratitude of residents, and learning that each tent costs more than $500, YLF made a $5,000 grant to assist with OTP’s needs. As the liaison, I was proud to support an organization providing such immediate, tangible impact.

The community within YLF has been an unexpected gift. You’re surrounded by people of all ages from nonprofits, corporate careers, start-ups, and entrepreneurial paths. It’s an energizing network where everyone is driven by the same goal: uplifting Chicago. Seeing organizations’ impact firsthand has inspired me to someday start a nonprofit of my own.

Why did you decide to share your YLF journey  on social media?

LL: Social media is what I’d consider a form of modern-day television, except content is low-fi and short form. The reach on social media goes beyond any geographical limits, and you’re able to influence people from anywhere. It also lets you share your values, and philanthropy is a huge part of who I am. In my 20s, I’ve tried to figure out what my passion looks like outside a 9–5 job, and YLF has become that passion project.

I want people to see that volunteering and grantmaking don’t have to be overwhelming. You don’t need ten hours a week to make an impact. Even one or two hours every month can make a difference. If I can use my voice online to introduce people to philanthropy, or even just to make them think about how they spend their free time, then I’ve succeeded.

What causes speak to you most deeply?

LL: Generational wealth, beyond monetary assets. To me, that includes access to education, mentorship, and experiences. These three categories are tools for families to achieve opportunity and stability. My parents telling me to “be and do better” than them wasn’t just about finances or education; it was about building a new foundation for what comes after me.

What impact do you hope your involvement with YLF will have in the long run?

LL: YLF usually works with newer, grassroots organizations, and I hope the visibility and resources we provide help them grow. Many are new to the grant application process; going through it with us prepares them to apply for future opportunities. If my involvement helps a small organization feel seen, supported or more confident about seeking funding, then that’s meaningful work.

What advice would you give someone ready to start giving back?

LL: Look at your own story. Ask yourself, where did you need support? What experiences could have changed your childhood or young adulthood? There’s a nonprofit out there working on that issue. Nonprofits often bridge the gaps between what communities need and what government systems can provide.