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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The Music School Where West Side Youth Become ‘Global Citizens’
“Many times, our kids don’t see themselves as the wonderful, talented, intelligent individuals they are. They are faced with many unfortunate things that are part…
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The State of Religious Diversity in America
“Judeo-Christian America did us well for the last 75 years. What’s next?” With that provocative question, keynote speaker Dr. Eboo Patel of Interfaith Youth Core…
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In North Lawndale, Health Challenges Begin at Birth
“More of our kids will have difficulties. They’re already behind before they get started.” Located on Chicago’s west side, the North Lawndale neighborhood has a…
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City College ‘Navigators’ Guide High School Seniors Toward Success
Students graduating from high school face a variety of paths to success. Choosing the best fit requires information and guidance—that’s why comprehensive counseling during high…
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At Winter Coat Giveaways, Families Discover their Local Library
Operation Warm is a nonprofit dedicated to providing children with warmth, hope and happiness. The Chicago Public Library system serves all Chicagoans with opportunities to…
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A Wicker Park Housing Co-Op Fights Gentrification
Wicker Park is known for its nightlife, food scene, boutique clothing stores, beer gardens—and limited available affordable housing. Zillow.com currently lists a 2-bedroom apartment in…
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The Pediatricians at the Forefront of Health Equity in Chicago
At a December symposium on equitable transit-oriented development, presenters explored how a collaborative of nonprofit, public and private organizations came together to apply for—and win—funding…
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The Missing Link for Education, Health and Criminal Justice
Across Chicago’s social sector, a range of innovative nonprofits, scholars and leaders pool their expertise to tackle the city’s most urgent and complex challenges—like health,…
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For Lake County, a Reckoning with the Suburbanization of Poverty
“Concentrated poverty, which we think of as an urban problem, is taking root in suburban municipalities across the nation.” On January 23, Dr. Scott W.…
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After the Crisis, Defining the New Critical Needs
In the grip of the Great Recession, Chicago fought back a rising tide of human need: mass layoffs and skyrocketing unemployment, rising homelessness, growing hunger.…
