Lisandra Lao, and How She’s Inspiring the Next Generation of Young Philanthropists
For 30 years, The Chicago Community Trust’s Young Leaders Fund (YLF) has empowered young adults to actively participate in philanthropy by interacting with…
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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Laying the Groundwork for Lasting Policy Reform
When the Trust decided to integrate policy change into our strategies, we did so recognizing that to achieve our mission of a thriving…
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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,…
All Stories
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Launching Green Careers, Empowering Volunteers
Interconnectedness is truly at the heart of what it means to be a sustainable community. That means making smart, collaborative decisions about how we consume…
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Action Plan to Revitalize Chicago High Schools—and Neighborhoods
One city, united in support of our neighborhood public high schools. That was the bold vision animating the crowd at the Ukrainian Cultural Center, as…
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One-Step, Two-Step to Healthier, Happier Life for Seniors
“I ask that you not say ‘I can’t do it, not at this age.’ On the contrary: ‘I will be able to do it.'” After…
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How a Tax Act Changed the Game for Generosity
By distinguishing the community foundation from all other types of foundation, the Tax Reform Act of 1969 changed the rules of philanthropy. [pullquote]How the Tax…
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On the Table' Goes to Citizen University
This year’s annual conference for Citizen University was an exciting national moment for On the Table. Hosting a dinner conversation with activists, artists and changemakers…
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"That Was My Rescuing Point": StoryCorps
When Lawrence Thomas graduated at the top of his class from Ball State University, he was still in prison. [pullquote]Lawrence Thomas tells @StoryCorps about foster…
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At West Side Housing Complex, Inventing a Place to Call Home
Four years ago, the Oakley Square apartments were no place to live. The rundown complex at the corner of Jackson Boulevard and Western Avenue was…
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Thousand Mile Journey Toward a United Chicago Continues
The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.—his struggle for justice and equity for all—resonates vividly against the backdrop of Chicago’s contemporary challenges. Dr. King’s…
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Chicago Faith and Justice Leaders Confront America's "Original Sin"
“We don’t have racialized communities by accident. We are structured out of relationship to each other.” With these words, Rev. Jim Wallis called on Chicagoans…
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Nonprofits Team Up to Transform Lives in LGBTQ Chicago
When two world-class nonprofit organizations work together, they create new solutions with the power to transform communities. That’s the guiding principle behind three Transformational Grants,…
