Trust Talks, The Podcast – Episode 24: Sustaining Chicago's Cultural Ecosystem
Chicago is one of the most influential cultural cities in the United States, known for its distinctive blend of architecture, visual arts, music,…
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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Claude and Britney, Two Donald Stewart Fellows, Reflect on How Their Commitment to Community Led Them to the African American Legacy Fund
Claude Robinson and Britney Robbins joined African American Legacy (AAL) from different paths—Claude as a staunch advocate for uplifting African American communities; Britney…
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LGBTQ Community Fund Awards $619,000 in its 2025 Grantmaking Cycle
The LGBTQ Community Fund, an initiative of The Chicago Community Trust, unites donors to support nonprofit organizations that serve the Chicago region’s LGBTQ…
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Grant Park Music Festival: A Year in the Life
Every year, the Grant Park Music Festival presents 34 world-class concerts in 10 weeks, plus outreach and educational programs, for a combined attendance of approximately…
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Mentor, Attorney, Philanthropist: A Trailblazing Chicago Legacy
Mentor, champion, pioneer, dedicated attorney, compassionate advocate and philanthropist. These are just some of the words used over and over to describe Janice Rodgers, former…
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What is Collaborative Philanthropy?
All of us know that when we recommend a grant from our donor advised fund, write a check or give appreciated assets to a nonprofit…
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CHIP in Illinois: What Federal Health Coverage Means to Local Families
Earlier this year, Congress passed a bill to extend the Children’s Health Insurance Program, known as CHIP, which provides health insurance for 9 million children…
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Smart Growth, Resilient Roots for Neighborhood Arts Nonprofits
Affordable, accessible opportunities to experience the arts are vital assets for every community. That’s the inspiration behind The Chicago Community Trust’s SMART Growth grant program,…
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After Hurricane Maria, Philanthropy Helps Puerto Ricans Rebuild in Chicago
Eight months after Hurricane Maria swept across Puerto Rico, a new Harvard University study suggests that the death toll may be more than 4,600—more than…
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A Rising Star Chef, and the Business Incubator Helping Her Shine
Tiffany Williams had been cooking professionally her entire adult life when she landed a gig providing food backstage for the NFL draft. The owner of…
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Making a More Peaceful Summer
For the third summer in a row, neighborhood organizations in Chicago working to reduce gun violence will receive grants to help reclaim parks, streets and…
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The Rohingya Refugee Crisis—and How You Can Help
“He felt very sorry when he saw me, because he knew I would be killed.” Jani Alam fled his native Burma alone, on foot, after…
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Disrupting a City's Legacy of Segregation
Since joining the Trust last fall, I’ve had the opportunity to get to know my new home a little better, visiting neighborhoods throughout the region.…
