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…
All Stories
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After Addiction, Finding Purpose in Re-Entry Reform
Anthony Lowery’s father earned a living through his trucking company—and even more money selling drugs. After years in federal prison, he tried to protect his…
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Food to Market Challenge' Spurs Local Food Innovation
On the evening of January 27, Chicago’s local food champions gathered to look ahead to the future of sustainable food. The event celebrated the launch…
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Taking the Sting Out of Re-Entry After Incarceration
It can take the employees at Sweet Beginnings a while to get used to their co-workers. The bees, that is. But as Johnny Patterson quickly…
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After 'The Super Bowl Shuffle'
“We’re not doing this because we’re greedy / The Bears are doing this to feed the needy!” “The Super Bowl Shuffle” was the Chicago Bears’…
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Through Depression, a High School Student Finds Her Voice
Elizabeth Einig will say she is “terrified” of putting herself in the spotlight. But this Schaumburg teenager regularly faces down her fears, if she thinks…
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Mourning a Teenage Son, Fighting Back Against Asthma
Christopher Redding had only had one asthma attack before the one that killed him. Christopher died in 2003 while jogging near his home in Lake…
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Chicago Colleges Unite as Citywide Campus, Global Destination
Chicago has long been known as a center of commerce and transportation, and for its world-class public museums and soaring architecture. Now, it’s moving to…
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Barn Dances and Prairie Picnics Build a Publishing Empire
The broadcaster of the prairie, Burridge D. Butler, transformed a farm media empire into a permanent legacy. Born in 1867, Butler was the son of…
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Teen Dance Festival Builds Bridges Across Neighborhoods
On a Saturday morning in August, teens streamed into the Harris Theater for Music and Dance. Instead of sleeping in on a lazy summer morning,…
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Elevating Chicago’s Buoyant Dance Community
In fall 2015, Audience Architects honored Sarah Solotaroff Mirkin with its inaugural Distinguished Service to the Dance Field Award. Under her leadership at The Chicago…
