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…
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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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…
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Protecting the Rights & Dignity of All: National Immigrant Justice Center
Founded in 1984, the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) believes that immigrants’ rights are human rights, and that every individual deserves to be…
All Stories
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The Amplification Fund: Engaging and Immersing Donors in Trust Grantmaking
Last summer, Program Manager Caleb Herod and former Senior Director of Gift Planning Tim Bresnahan met over a cup of coffee to brainstorm new opportunities…
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Making Great Things Happen by Connecting People to Purpose
Over my three decades in philanthropy, I have learned so much from donors and nonprofit leaders about generosity and commitment. A theme that continues to…
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3C Community Profile: Humboldt Park
Take a stroll down the Paseo Boricua corridor on Division Street and it’s easy to see why Humboldt Park is one of Chicago’s most vibrant…
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Trust Talks, The Podcast – Episode 15: We Rise Together: For An Equitable & Just Recovery
In this episode of Trust Talks, we discuss We Rise Together’s impact and what’s next, including how the initiative—and donors—can continue to fuel the visions communities…
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It’s Systemic Barriers, Not Individual Choices, that Prevent Black and Latine Households from Building Wealth
When the Trust committed to working to close the racial and ethnic wealth gap for Chicagoans, we knew we would need robust data to better…
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From the Archives: 1992 – Center on Halsted & The LGBTQ Community Fund
LGBTQ-serving organizations in Chicago have long been at the forefront of advocating for and addressing the ever-evolving needs of the city’s LGBTQ community. In 1985,…
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AAPI Heritage Month Spotlight: Philanthropy for Asian American Action Chicago
In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, the Trust is spotlighting AAPI leaders and AAPI-serving organizations who are making a difference…
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A Coalition of Funders Launches Press Forward Chicago With $1.6 Million in Grants to 13 Journalism Projects
Our democracy depends on a thriving free press, serving as a source of information and a voice for communities. Yet, the news media today is…
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CDFIs Bring Development to Disinvested Communities
In order for communities to thrive, they must have access to financial services and investment capital that spur economic development. However, nationally and in Chicago,…
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A Collaborative Approach to Impact
The Trust is committed to collecting data and applying what we learn to bring people together, spark innovation, and inform decision-making. We also seek to…
