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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What You Can Do to Make a Difference
Last week, thousands of Chicagoans came together in mealtime conversations across the region to talk about our hometown and what we can do individually and…
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Five Years of Conversation – What Comes Next?
This week, thousands of Chicago-area residents once again took part in mealtime conversations where they met others, shared ideas and explored ways to take action…
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Home Cookin': A Heart Full of Chicago Soul
We’re pleased to feature selections from Chicago writer Alan Lake’s soon-to-be-published series of personal profiles with esteemed Chicago area home cooks. Home Cookin’ gives a…
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Community-Led Projects to Revitalize Chicago Rivers
In August 2016, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, The Chicago Community Trust and other civic, government and community leaders publicly launched the Great Rivers Chicago: an…
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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…
