Unity Fund: A Look at Impact in 2025
The Chicago Community Trust’s Unity Fund is a testament to the power of collective giving. Since its founding in 2008 at the height…
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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Financial Health in Cook County: Why it Matters and How Policy Impacts Financial Well-Being
In 2025, The Chicago Community Trust, with support from JPMorganChase, commissioned the Financial Health Network to update the findings of its Financial Health…
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Responding to Chicago’s Urgent Needs in 2025
As the region’s community foundation, The Chicago Community Trust exists to respond to the needs of our region and the people who call…
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Financial Literacy Month Spotlight: Brighton Park Neighborhood Council
April is Financial Literacy Month, which raises awareness on the importance of financial education and smart money-making decisions. Over the next few weeks, we will…
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From the Archives: 1989 – The Urbs in Horto Fund & The Chicago Botanic Garden
Green spaces within an urban environment help cool city temperatures, reduce traffic noise, provide a space for recreation, and have even been shown to increase…
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The Changemakers Network: Four Years of Coalition and Trust-Building
In 2020, The Chicago Community Trust launched the Changemakers Network to bolster grassroots organizations and groups organizing around issues that mattered most in their communities.…
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Disrupting Segregation: Experiencing a “Twin Neighborhood” in Chicago
Chicago has long dealt with a history of segregated neighborhoods due to policies like redlining and land sale contracts that divide the city along racial…
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Trust Talks, The Podcast – Episode 14: Building a Robust Local Media Landscape
In this episode of Trust Talks, we explore the current state of the media, how to reverse the decline in local news outlets, and the…
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From Latinx to Latine: How We Are Evolving Alongside Our Community
As a community foundation, listening and learning from our partners is critical to our work. This type of organizational reflection enables us to improve how we…
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How The Chicago Community Trust is Using Data to Drive Change
Businesses routinely use data analysis to make investment decisions and measure the results. More and more, philanthropic organizations are using the same data to help…
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Engaging Grassroots Organizations Are Essential for Large-Scale Impact
Have you ever encountered a situation that filled you with triumph, grace, and determination, or experienced someone’s passion in a way that reignited your own?…
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From the Archives: 1920 – YWCA of Chicago
The Trust has been committed to addressing pressing issues facing women and children in Chicago since early in our history. An example of this work…
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From the Archives: 1976 – George E. Johnson, Sr.
The Executive Committee of The Chicago Community Trust is made up of civic leaders from the Chicago region. They provide strategic counsel to ensure the…
