2025 Illinois General Assembly Recap
I came to The Chicago Community Trust in March after spending years as chief of staff to Illinois State Rep. Kelly Cassidy. I…
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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Trust Talks, The Podcast – Episode 19: Confronting Homeownership Barriers
While homeownership is often viewed as a pathway to building wealth, a range of challenges can hinder its effectiveness, particularly for specific groups.…
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Transforming the College Transfer Experience
In the Spring of 2006, my mother and I walked into a meeting with a public state university admissions counselor to discuss my…
All Stories
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How a Mealtime Conversation Opens New Doors to Client Engagement
In 2017, The Chicago Community Trust will celebrate the fourth year of its marquee community event On the Table. On the Table is an annual…
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IRA Planning: Beyond the Donor Advised Fund
The “baby boomer” generation—the second largest generation in U.S. history—is on the cusp of a significant financial transition. The first baby boomers were born in…
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Honoring Gwendolyn Brooks, Chicago's Poet and Pioneer
“In order to be heard, one had to shout. Whispers were not heard at all.” With these words, former U.S. Poet Laureate Rita Dove paid…
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For Chicago Artists, a New Data Platform Changes the Game
How do you celebrate the arrival of a game-changing data platform that connects artists, nonprofits and funders more intimately and equitably than ever before? If…
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Preserving an Organization's Cultural Heritage
What do many universities, museums, historical societies and large corporations have in common? They have an archives—a collection of permanently valuable records such as manuscripts,…
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Challenging Racial Inequality, Driving Economic Growth
The experience of the Obama administration and the outcome of the election belie any thought that we live in a post-racial America. We know there…
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The Art of Healing
When you meet Jean Cozier, she immediately draws you in with her vibrant personality, infectious laughter and beaming smile. This longtime donor to The Chicago…
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From Libraries to Food Pantries, Service Gaps Inspire Neighborhood Ingenuity
As budget challenges prompt cutbacks in public services, many of our neighborhoods bear the burden. But whether it’s food scarcity or access to information, six…
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Helping Families Find Their Way Home
Alexis Castleberry doesn’t take anything for granted. A mother of five, she is thankful that she can provide her children with a home in Chatham,…
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In North Lawndale, Teens and Police Plant Common Ground
Classmates Alisha Dale and Roosevelt Harris-Williams work side by side, pulling rakes through a mound of wood chips. They will use the chips to smother…
