From the Archives: 2004 – The Creation of the Disabilities Fund
December 3rd is International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which celebrates the achievements of people with disabilities and raises awareness of the challenges…
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
-
-
Trust Talks, The Podcast – Episode 23: Understanding the Impact of Public Benefits
When most people picture hunger in America, they think of food pantries. Yet for every meal a pantry provides, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance…
-
Asian Giving Circle Awards $100,000 in its 2025 Grantmaking Cycle
Asian Giving Circle, an initiative of The Chicago Community Trust, is a grassroots philanthropic initiative uniting donor to make a greater collective impact…
“Grantmaking” Stories
-
Advancing Equitable Wealth Policy: Building on Three Years of Coalition Work and Policy Wins
Recognizing the important role systems and policy change play in closing the racial and ethnic wealth gap, The Chicago Community Trust launched the Coalitions for…
-
Leveraging Education, Quality Work Opportunities, and Financial Health to Increase Income for Workers of Color
Higher education is often viewed as a stepping stone for economic mobility and building long-term wealth. However, research shows that the high costs of student…
-
Creating Systems-Level Change to Improve How People Receive Social Services
Since our inception, The Chicago Community Trust has supported the health and human services sector. From our very first grant to United Charities of Chicago…
-
Stories of Impact 2022: Direct Cash Assistance
Direct cash assistance is the practice of giving money directly to people in need. This can take many forms, including transfers of cash from nonprofits…
-
Advancing Homeownership as a Tool for Wealth Building
More than a roof over heads, homeownership is a critical tool for helping families increase their financial security, build wealth, and pass it down to…
-
211 Metro Chicago: Improving How We Serve Residents in Need
Navigating the social service system in the Chicago region can be a burdensome process. In times of crisis when demand for these services skyrockets, such…
-
Chicago’s Hyperlocal Media is a National Model for Resident-Informed News
Chicago has been experiencing a media resurgence. Thirty outlets have launched in the last 20 years—many smaller newsrooms focusing on hyperlocal news. Some outlets, including…
-
An Early Boost Gives Community Developers a Huge Leg Up
How an innovative Trust grant program helps neighborhood visions for growth become reality The Chicago Community Trust believes all Chicago neighborhoods are assets, each one…
-
Q&A: Open Call for Ideas – Advancing Policy
The Trust launched the Open Call for Ideas – Advancing Policy in May 2021 as a vehicle to source and fund new policy and advocacy…
-
An Intergenerational Approach to Community Wellbeing
The Chicago Community Trust wants to see Chicago families thrive. While we continue working to close the region’s racial and ethnic wealth gap, we know…
