Lisandra Lao, and How She’s Inspiring the Next Generation of Young Philanthropists
For 30 years, The Chicago Community Trust’s Young Leaders Fund (YLF) has empowered young adults to actively participate in philanthropy by interacting with…
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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Laying the Groundwork for Lasting Policy Reform
When the Trust decided to integrate policy change into our strategies, we did so recognizing that to achieve our mission of a thriving…
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Trust Talks, The Podcast – Episode 24: Sustaining Chicago's Cultural Ecosystem
Chicago is one of the most influential cultural cities in the United States, known for its distinctive blend of architecture, visual arts, music,…
All Stories
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A Roof over Our Neighbor's Heads and a Foundation for Their Future
When it comes to helping Black and Latinx families grow their household wealth, homeownership is a tool that matters. Experts estimate that if Black and…
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Brewing Catalytic Growth in a Far South Side Community
When it comes to helping individuals, families, and communities build wealth, neighborhood investment is a force multiplier. Neighborhood development projects create businesses and jobs, bring…
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Supporting Laws that Help Black and Latinx Families Keep Their Wealth
From redlining to predatory lending, laws and policies have played an instrumental role in preventing generations of Black and Latinx families from building as much…
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Searle Funds: A Conversation with Peggy Davis and Angel Gibson
To administer the Searle Collaborative Funds, the Trust works closely with Kinship Foundation—a private operating foundation that advances the institutional philanthropy of the Searle family.…
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Our Partners in Change: Anne Ladky & Karen Fishman
Anne Ladky and Karen Fishman’s philanthropy is primarily driven by one theme: systemic change for a more equitable society. Both women dedicated their careers to…
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Our Partners in Change: Marty Castro
For Marty Castro, philanthropy is a kind of family business. “For at least a couple of generations before me, we Castros have been very involved…
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Our Partners in Change: Teresa Prim & G. Sequane Lawrence
Teresa Prim and G. Sequane Lawrence have spent their personal and professional lives serving their community and supporting youth and economic development in the Chicago…
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Our Partners in Change: Suzanne Shier
Attorney Suzanne Shier enjoys solving puzzles. In her role of counsel with Levenfeld Pearlstein’s trusts and estates group, she gets to do just that, with…
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Our Partners in Change: Brian Barnes
Brian Barnes is the founder and CEO of financial tech start-up M1 Finance. With his siblings, he also manages a fund at the Trust that…
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Our Partners in Change: Ken O'Keefe
When Ken O’Keefe was starting out as an investment banker, he was struck by the contrast between the luxurious lifestyles associated with his storied industry…
