African American Legacy Awards $615,000 in its 2025 Grantmaking Cycle
African American Legacy (AAL), an initiative of The Chicago Community Trust, unites donors committed to supporting the Black community in the Chicago region.…
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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Strengthening Chicago’s Shared Ownership Ecosystem
For generations, Chicago’s neighborhoods have been shaped by the people who call them home. Historically, many communities like Bronzeville, Hyde Park, Little Village,…
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Trust Talks, The Podcast – Episode 22: Reimagining Development Through Shared Ownership
As Chicago neighborhoods continue to expand with newly built businesses and homes, new opportunities emerge for residents to shape their communities. Yet, traditional…
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Building Informed, Empowered Communities Through Press Forward Chicago
Communities flourish when they have access to reliable information. Chicago has a robust local news ecosystem, but many outlets face an uncertain future due to…
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Supporting Local Ownership in South Shore
South Shore is deeply proud of its history and legacy as an economically diverse, predominantly Black lakefront community. The area boasts countless amenities such as…
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Uniting to Address Violence
Because we believe our region can’t truly thrive until all communities are free from violence, the Trust is proud to support SC2 (Scaling Community Violence Intervention…
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Caring for Our Neighbors by Addressing Critical Needs
While homelessness in the U.S. increased by 18.1% in 2024, Chicago’s numbers more than tripled. This staggering increase stems from many factors, including a lack of…
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The Block Family: A Legacy of Impactful Leadership
The Block family’s legacy of civic and philanthropic leadership is deeply woven through both Chicago’s history and the Trust’s. In 1893, the family founded the…
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Fifth Third Builds a New Model for Community Development in South Chicago
Fifth Third Bank’s long history of supporting communities goes back to 1948, when it became the first U.S. financial institution to establish a charitable foundation.…
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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…
