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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Conversations Matter: Four Years of On the Table
This year on May 8, people all over Chicagoland will gather around tables in dining rooms, conference rooms, community centers, restaurants and even in their…
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The Chicagoans Who Document Public Meetings—and Why They Do It
The original idea for City Bureau’s first-ever “Documenters Summit” started with a simple question: How do we create a space where our 330+ Documenters can…
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Celebrating Chicago's Most Creative, Collaborative Community Development
“For the Trust, it has always been inspiring to see the wonderful things that have come out of the creativity and talents of our region’s…
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Art, Activism & Resistance in 'Our Chicago'
We gonna go in here, y’all! We gonna go in here, y’all! The a capella singing of avery r. young brought the roomful of chattering…
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Moving Conversations to Communities: How to Host an Actionable On the Table
While making connections, talking and listening to our neighbors over a meal is at the heart of On the Table, we know that over the past four…
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Audacious Disruption: Chicago Artists Collaborate on Solutions to Segregation
I was eight months pregnant when I read Metropolitan Planning Council’s The Cost of Segregation report. At the time, I had been reflecting quite a…
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For Private Foundations, Simpler Alternatives & Impact Investing Opportunities
For many individuals and families, the benefits of establishing a private foundation are outweighed by the cost, time and administrative burden that comes with managing…
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The First Six Months: Listening, Learning and Leading
On April 3, Dr. Helene Gayle made her first appearance as the featured guest of the City Club of Chicago. In a lively conversation with…
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Is It Time to Revisit Formula Clause Charitable Gifts?
As professional advisors and their clients continue to digest the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act signed into law in late 2017, one unanticipated effect may…
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Oral History: Preserving a More Diverse, Dynamic Legacy
As the second oldest community foundation in America, the Trust is dedicated to documenting its rich history, intertwined with Chicago philanthropy and with the development…
