Young Leaders Fund Awards $100,000 in Community-Based Grants
Young Leaders Fund (YLF), an initiative of The Chicago Community Trust, provides young professionals with an innovative way to make a difference in Chicago…
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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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…
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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…
All Stories
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Kirk Hoopingarner on Helping Advisors Help Their Clients
As a trusts and estates attorney at Quarles & Brady, Kirk Hoopingarner finds deep satisfaction in counseling high-net-worth families on their charitable giving strategies. Outside…
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Larry Saret on Supporting What Matters to You
Larry Saret first met the Trust when he was a senior in high school. His father had passed away five years earlier, and he was…
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Affinity Funds: Creating Impact Through Connection
Affinity funds allow donors with a common identity or interest to pool their giving and make a greater impact together. The Trust proudly hosts six affinity…
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2024 Annual Report: In Memoriam
JUDITH STOFER BLOCK EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER Judy Block dedicated her life to civic service, contributing countless volunteer hours while blazing trails along the way. As…
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From the Archives: 2002 – Asian Giving Circle
May marks Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a time to celebrate AAPI history, uplift the achievements of AAPI individuals, and raise awareness…
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Chicago is Primed for Creative and Targeted Home Lending Solutions
The beauty of Chicago is that every person, every place, and every home has a story. And while my personal story didn’t begin here, it…
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Amidst Uncertainties, Trust is Helping Nonprofits Continue to Meet Community Needs
As the federal government cuts funding and programs that support essential services, such as closing the Chicago-based Midwest regional office of the Department of Health…
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Trust Talks, The Podcast – Episode 18: Supporting Our Immigrant Communities
The truth about immigration in the United States is that unless you are Native American, we all came from somewhere else. Yet, in 2025, the…
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Fund for Equitable Business Growth: A Unique Approach to Building a Successful Small Business Support Network
The Fund for Equitable Business Growth (FEBG) was founded on the principle that small business owners in underrepresented communities would be better served – and…
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Giving Insights: Supporting the Next Generation of Philanthropists
For many people, their first ideas about service and what it means to give back start at the kitchen table. “So much of what we…
