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,…
“Experts & Opinions” Stories
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Building Pathways to Stability Through Increased Access to Essential Services
The Chicago Community Trust’s Addressing Critical Needs team recognizes that people cannot reach their full potential when basic human needs are not met, whether that…
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The Chicago Community Trust: Providing Help During Uncertain Times
Charitable giving in America was down last year, but do the numbers tell the whole story? And how can donors respond to the changing charitable…
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Now is the Time: Review the Fine Print of Your Estate Plan
Given recent market and economic volatility, you may be reevaluating your charitable giving approach. While you consider your short-term strategy, this is also the perfect…
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Building Financial Stability for Households and Communities
Efforts to grow household wealth in Black and Latinx communities are vital to the well-being of our region. By increasing incomes, building assets, and reducing…
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Investing in Youth Leadership Development is Essential for Community Safety
Safe spaces allow hope to thrive, visions to be realized, and youth to find their voices. Whether it is young women learning about media literacy…
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Accelerating Meaningful Change in Chicago: How the Trust Hopes to Work with the Johnson Administration
On May 15, Brandon Johnson will be inaugurated as the 57th Mayor of Chicago. As with any mayoral transition, this is an opportunity to press…
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Investing for Impact: How to Maximize, and Measure, the Impact of Your Charitable Dollars
In 2020, the Trust launched our Impact Investing Program to help donors generate greater impact through their donor advised funds (DAFs). Impact investments mobilize capital with…
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Paving Different Paths to the Desired Result
In 2013, I was teaching cross multiplication to my Algebra II students when I noticed one child getting frustrated at how I did the work.…
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Affinity Funds: Philanthropy through Shared Identity, Community, and Purpose
The first time I heard of The Chicago Community Trust was in 2015, when the nonprofit I worked for received a grant from the Asian…
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The Future of Our City Depends on All of Us, and It Is Time to Redouble Our Efforts
Chicago is a city with limitless potential. We are the center of the nation’s transportation network, headquarters to diverse Fortune 500 companies, and we have…
