Unity Fund: A Look at Impact in 2025
The Chicago Community Trust’s Unity Fund is a testament to the power of collective giving. Since its founding in 2008 at the height…
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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Financial Health in Cook County: Why it Matters and How Policy Impacts Financial Well-Being
In 2025, The Chicago Community Trust, with support from JPMorganChase, commissioned the Financial Health Network to update the findings of its Financial Health…
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Responding to Chicago’s Urgent Needs in 2025
As the region’s community foundation, The Chicago Community Trust exists to respond to the needs of our region and the people who call…
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Collective Giving in Chicago: Six Identity Funds that Amplify Impact
From giving circles to identity-focused funds, collective giving is on the rise. Collective giving is a philanthropic model in which donors pool resources, then decide…
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Why Endowment Funds Should Be Part of Your Charitable Conversations
When you think about the charitable planning tools available for philanthropic clients, donor advised funds, private foundations and split-interest trusts may be the first that…
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When the Solution Becomes the Problem: The Legacy of the 1919 Race Riots
On July 27th, our city marks 100 years since Eugene Williams, a young Black man, was killed after his raft drifted into an area of…
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Not Your Typical Corporate Sponsorship: Partnering for Disability Inclusion
Paulette Jagers is the head of strategic initiatives and leadership for BMO Financial Group. Paulette is a former board member of the Chicagoland Business Leadership…
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The Charitable Trends We’re Watching in a Complex Giving Climate
The Annual Report on Philanthropy released each June by Giving USA shares data on charitable giving in the U.S. The main takeaway from this year’s…
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A Daughter’s Legacy, A Lasting Impact for Chicago Children
If you are passionate about supporting a particular community or cause, one way you can be confident that your contributions will be used to address…
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Celebrating Ten Years of Teamwork for a More Resilient Chicago
Down a quiet side street at the western edge of Logan Square, a group of Chicago’s passionate philanthropists and dynamic nonprofit leaders gathered inside a…
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Discovering the Leader in Me
Evelyn Keolian is a librarian in the Chicago Public Library’s Assistive Resources Center. She is also the founder and chair of the library’s Diversability Advocacy…
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New Survey Reflects LGBTQ Community’s Needs, Resources and Resilience
“LGBTQ: What’s New?” This question began a fifteen-week quest to document the current needs, challenges and strengths of Chicago’s LGBTQ+ community. The LGBT Community Fund,…
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Ticketing Fine Reform Aims to Stop the Debt Spiral
For some people a parking ticket is an unexpected expense, an annoyance to resolve. But for low-income families struggling to make ends meet, a vehicle…
