2025 Illinois General Assembly Recap
I came to The Chicago Community Trust in March after spending years as chief of staff to Illinois State Rep. Kelly Cassidy. I…
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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Trust Talks, The Podcast – Episode 19: Confronting Homeownership Barriers
While homeownership is often viewed as a pathway to building wealth, a range of challenges can hinder its effectiveness, particularly for specific groups.…
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Transforming the College Transfer Experience
In the Spring of 2006, my mother and I walked into a meeting with a public state university admissions counselor to discuss my…
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Stories of Impact 2022: We Rise Together
In the wake of the pandemic and the inequities it exposed, the philanthropic community has the chance to make transformational investments to strengthen long-disinvested communities…
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A Leading Global Company Commits to Creating Job Opportunities for Chicago’s Youth
PepsiCo’s history in Chicago goes back nearly 100 years. Today, its operations in the region include Frito-Lay, PepsiCo Beverages North America, Quaker Oats, and Gatorade…
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A Young Donor Rooted in Place
Morgan Olenski grew up in a world that’s more connected than ever before. Yet, this young philanthropist is constantly asking herself what she can do…
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An Intentional Approach to Impactful Philanthropy
At a young age, Mary Richardson-Lowry’s grandmother, a social worker and missionary, taught her that philanthropy can manifest in many ways. From providing meals to…
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Good Advice for the Advisor
Susan Bart is an estate planning attorney and wealth advisor at ArentFox Schiff. When it comes to her own philanthropy, Bart’s approach is both strategic…
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Immigrant Roots Inspire a Lifetime of Giving
Padma Venkatesan immigrated to the U.S. from India as a child. As her parents worked to build a life in a new country, Venkatesan often…
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AAPI Heritage Month Spotlight: Asian Giving Circle
To celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, the Trust will be spotlighting AAPI leaders and AAPI-serving organizations that have contributed to the…
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Accelerating Meaningful Change in Chicago: How the Trust Hopes to Work with the Johnson Administration
On May 15, Brandon Johnson will be inaugurated as the 57th Mayor of Chicago. As with any mayoral transition, this is an opportunity to press…
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Investing for Impact: How to Maximize, and Measure, the Impact of Your Charitable Dollars
In 2020, the Trust launched our Impact Investing Program to help donors generate greater impact through their donor advised funds (DAFs). Impact investments mobilize capital with…
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AAPI Heritage Month Spotlight: Sadia Sindhu
To celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, the Trust will be spotlighting AAPI leaders and AAPI-serving organizations that have contributed to the…
