A Young Leader's Vision for Collective Impact
In celebration of Black Philanthropy Month, this inspiring Q&A features Jacque Stefanic, a nonprofit founder, donor and community leader, as he shares his…
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 20: Advocating for Policy Reform
Although nonprofit organizations play a vital role in recognizing and addressing the needs of the community, research shows the percentage of nonprofits involved…
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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…
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Moving Equitable Development to the Front of the Bus: ETOD as Policy in Chicago
I like to call myself a product of the public transportation system. My hometown, a mid-size city in the north of Spain, runs a network…
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Selling Distress: How the Tax Foreclosure System Exacerbates Disinvestment in Cook County Communities
Following a comprehensive study of the Scavenger Sale, a national multi-jurisdiction analysis offers communities a roadmap for improvement. Property taxes are the largest source of…
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NatureConnections: The Legacy of Ellen Thorne and Hermon Dunlap Smith
In the late 1980s, the Chicago Public Library collaborated with a network of zoos, museums, and science centers throughout Chicago to design a groundbreaking collection…
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Trust Talks, The Podcast - Episode 8: Building Neighborhood Wealth w/ Community Investment Vehicles
In this episode of the Trust Talks podcast, learn about what Community Investment Vehicles (CIVs) are and the wealth building opportunities they could create for neighborhoods…
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Let’s Work Together Now to Close Chicago’s Racial and Ethnic Wealth Gap
For over a century, the Trust has partnered with donors, nonprofits, and other stakeholders to strengthen the Chicago region. If you think about it, that’s…
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Legacy in Action: A Fund for the Future of Chicago’s Green Spaces
Donors who have named The Chicago Community Trust as a beneficiary in their wills and trusts have made a lasting mark on the region for…
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"To Whom Much is Given, Much is Required": Connie Lindsey on Her Passion for Giving Back
In celebration of Black Philanthropy Month in August, the Trust is featuring a series of conversations with Black philanthropists making their impact across the Chicago…
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Centering Community Experts and Voices are Essential to Violence Prevention Strategies
I want to honor everyday Chicagoans making changes where they call home. The ones who roll up their sleeves in the face of adversity when…
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Cynthia Plouché on Using Her Voice to Level the Playing Field
In celebration of Black Philanthropy Month in August, the Trust is featuring a series of conversations with Black philanthropists making their impact across the Chicago…
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A Departing Supporting Organization Helps Two Affinity Funds with Special Grant Cycles
When deciding to take its philanthropy in a new direction last year, the Glasser Rosenthal Family Foundation (GRFF), a supporting organization at The Chicago Community…
