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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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…
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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…
