Young Leaders Fund Awards $105,000 in its 2026 Grantmaking Cycle
Young Leaders Fund (YLF), an initiative of The Chicago Community Trust, has been paving the way for start-up nonprofits and the next generation…
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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Pride, Progress, and Purpose: A Conversation with Jennie Brier & Ray Crossman
Each June, Pride Month offers a time to celebrate the achievements, contributions, and resilience of LGBTQ communities. An important vehicle for that work…
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Protecting the Rights & Dignity of All: National Immigrant Justice Center
Founded in 1984, the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) believes that immigrants’ rights are human rights, and that every individual deserves to be…
All Stories
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Supporting Community-Led Strategies for Vaccine Outreach
Addressing our communities’ most immediate needs has always been—and always will be—foundational to the Trust’s work. In 2021, one of our most urgent priorities was…
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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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Elevating Diverse Media Voices to Strengthen Communities
Community media groups are vital to the people and places they serve. Whether it’s a treasured legacy newspaper or a weekly podcast, such outlets use…
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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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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…
