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
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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…
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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
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Trust Talks, The Podcast - Episode 10: Creating a Lasting Legacy for the Chicago Region
In this episode of the Trust Talks podcast, we explore how the Trust’s endowment and bequests made decades ago continue to address the most pressing issues…
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Giving Without Recognition: How Anonymous Donors Are Helping the Trust Make an Impact
Individuals and families have turned to The Chicago Community Trust for decades to make their philanthropic dreams a reality. From impact investing to field of…
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The Future of Our City Depends on All of Us, and It Is Time to Redouble Our Efforts
Chicago is a city with limitless potential. We are the center of the nation’s transportation network, headquarters to diverse Fortune 500 companies, and we have…
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LGBTQ Community Fund Grants Support Community Safety and Employment
The LGBTQ Community Fund (the Fund), an affinity Fund of the Trust, unites donors to support Chicago’s LGBTQ community. Since its founding in 2010, the…
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211 Metro Chicago: Improving How We Serve Residents in Need
Navigating the social service system in the Chicago region can be a burdensome process. In times of crisis when demand for these services skyrockets, such…
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Reflecting on Women’s History Month with the Affinity Funds
March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate achievements and milestones made by women throughout history. To commemorate the month, we reached out to…
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Black History Month Spotlight: Kim Casey
To celebrate Black History Month, the Trust will be spotlighting Black leaders and Black-serving organizations that have contributed to the betterment of the Chicago region…
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Beyond Individual Choices: Financial Health Requires Systems-Level Solutions
The quality of our lives is tied to the financial health of our household—from our ability to pay bills on time, to afford groceries, or…
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A Nuestro Futuro Grant Enhances Mental Health Support for Former Detainees
Every day, Organized Communities Against Deportations (OCAD) works tirelessly to stop deportation cases across Chicago. Comprised of “undocumented, unapologetic, and unafraid organizers,” OCAD grew out…
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Black History Month Spotlight: Britney Robbins, 2023 Donald Stewart Fellowship Recipient
To celebrate Black History Month, the Trust will be spotlighting Black leaders and Black-serving organizations that have contributed to the betterment of the Chicago region…
