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
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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…
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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
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Make CTC/EITC Improvements Permanent: Sound Economic Policy with Far Reaching Impacts
There’s a political game playing out in Washington, and the stakes could not be higher. Will the debt ceiling be raised? Will major infrastructure legislation…
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"Collaborative Fund" is a New Source of Capital for Groups Advancing Neighborhood Investment
In 2020, the Trust’s Catalyzing Neighborhood Investment team launched the Flexible Funding Program. The program supports and builds the capacity of organizations to engage with community partnerships,…
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2021 Q4 Grants Highlight Trust’s Dual Focus on Wealth Gap and Pandemic Recovery
Throughout The Chicago Community Trust’s 2021 fiscal year—October 2020 to September 2021, including 347 discretionary grants totaling $29.1 million—COVID-19 remained a persistent challenge.* The year’s…
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Protecting & Advancing Equitable Homeownership: Lawndale Christian Development Corporation
Lawndale Christian Development Corporation (LCDC) organizes with the community to eliminate health and wealth disparities in North Lawndale and worldwide. LCDC’s work is done by…
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Protecting & Advancing Equitable Homeownership: Latin United Community Housing Association
Latin United Community Housing Association (LUCHA) has a mission to advance housing as a human right by empowering communities – particularly Latinx and Spanish-speaking populations…
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Protecting & Advancing Equitable Homeownership: Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago
Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) creates opportunities for people to live in affordable homes, improve their lives, and strengthen their neighborhoods. They do this by educating…
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Protecting & Advancing Equitable Homeownership: Chicago-Area Fair Housing Alliance
Chicago-Area Fair Housing Alliance (CAFHA) is a membership-based nonprofit working to combat housing discrimination and promote equitable place-based opportunity through education, advocacy, and collaborative action.…
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A Legacy of Community Engagement: How Marty Castro Expanded the Family Business of Giving
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15), the Trust is featuring a series of conversations with Latinx philanthropists and leaders who are making…
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From Crisis to Change: Lessons from Year One of We Rise Together
As we mark the one-year anniversary of We Rise Together: For an Equitable and Just Recovery, it seems fitting to reflect on all we have…
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Trust Cohort Identifies Key Barriers and Potential Solutions for Equitable Homeownership
In 2020, the Trust’s Protecting & Advancing Equitable Homeownership grant initiative brought together nine local housing organizations to identify key barriers and potential solutions for…
