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
-
-
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…
-
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…
All Stories
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
