Working Together to Care for Our Neighbors
The Chicago region has a long and valued tradition of community organizations working alongside government to deliver essential services and enhance residents’ lives.…
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
-
-
Bob Crawford’s Journey from Business Leader to Philanthropic Changemaker
Individual giving remains the driving force behind philanthropy in the United States. Even amid market uncertainty, giving increased by 3.3 percent in 2024…
-
Young Leaders Fund Awards $100,000 in Community-Based Grants
Young Leaders Fund (YLF), an initiative of The Chicago Community Trust, provides young professionals with an innovative way to make a difference in Chicago…
All Stories
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
An Unrestricted Gift for Chicago’s Future
For more than 100 years, many donors who want their love for Chicago to be reflected in their legacy have chosen to make a bequest…
-
Finding the Right Fit for Your Philanthropy
Every day, people from all walks of life participate in philanthropy, giving money or time to effect change in their own community or far beyond.…
-
AAPI Heritage Month Spotlight: Chinese American Service League
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…
-
Paving Different Paths to the Desired Result
In 2013, I was teaching cross multiplication to my Algebra II students when I noticed one child getting frustrated at how I did the work.…
-
Affinity Funds: Philanthropy through Shared Identity, Community, and Purpose
The first time I heard of The Chicago Community Trust was in 2015, when the nonprofit I worked for received a grant from the Asian…
