Working Together to Care for Our Neighbors
The Chicago region has a long and valued tradition of community organizations working alongside government to deliver essential services and enhance residents’ lives.…
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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Bob Crawford’s Journey from Business Leader to Philanthropic Changemaker
Individual giving remains the driving force behind philanthropy in the United States. Even amid market uncertainty, giving increased by 3.3 percent in 2024…
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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…
All Stories
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Building Economic Resilience for Families: A Dialogue on Cash Assistance
In 2019, the Chicago Resilient Cities Task Force released a report laying out a roadmap to increase economic stability for struggling Chicago families—nearly half of…
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Trends in Charitable Giving – What 2019 Data Tells Us About Now
In June, Giving USA released The Annual Report on Philanthropy, the most influential publication on charitable giving in the United States. The big headline is that in…
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Trust Grants $2 Million to Address Critical Needs
Building Pathway to Stability Program Funds 40 Nonprofits Across the Region The Chicago Community Trust recently announced $2 million in general operating grants to 40…
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2020: Protecting & Advancing Equitable Homeownership
Homeownership has long symbolized the “American Dream.” There is a widely held belief that once you achieve the status of homeowner, you have accomplished the…
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Giving Insights: A Legacy that Matters - The Value of Estate Gifts
The Chicago Community Trust was built by philanthropists who wanted their legacy to be a stronger Chicago region, and that commitment continues today. Donors who…
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2020: Coalitions for Equity in Wealth Policy Leverages Efforts to Address Inequity
No matter how you view this moment in our history, what is undeniable is that it is a moment of change. The calls for action…
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25 Years Young: Young Leaders Fund Chair and Founding Charter Members Reflect on Past, Present and Future
“A group of young adults wanted to invest in our greater community and work with peers to achieve this goal,” said Virginia F. Ojeda, a…
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Philanthropic Advisors Connect Donors' Passions with Region's Needs
Making a positive impact in your community may seem like a straightforward act, but people often struggle with identifying how to make a difference, especially during times…
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Shine Light On Society’s Inequitable Institutional Practices, Public Policies
A young George Floyd was said to have told a friend “I want to touch the world.” Little did he know that 30 years later,…
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Changemakers Network Building Trust, Muscle—and Power
What does it take for a group of strangers to build trust among one other when they can only gather virtually? How can philanthropy help…
