Neighborhood Development Champions Support a Strong Pipeline of Community-Led Projects
For the Chicago region to thrive, all communities must prosper. Disinvestment in the South and West Sides has limited wealth-building and harmed neighborhood…
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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Joshua Moreno: On Philanthropy & Showing Up for Others
Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the cultures, contributions, and resilience of the Latine communities in Chicago and across the country.…
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Rooted in Care: Community Partners Are Charting Paths to Housing Stability
Housing instability can significantly impact a person’s health and economic outcomes, including physical, mental and behavioral well-being. Stable housing provides a foundation not…
All Stories
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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…
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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…
