Feeding Change in Our Region
The Chicago Region Food System Fund is a group of funders and community partners working together to build a more resilient local food…
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
-
-
Cultivating a Bright Future in Little Village
Little Village, or La Villita, has a long history of welcoming immigrant communities, starting with the German, Czech and Polish residents who flocked…
-
Boosting Impact: The Amplification Fund
The Amplification Fund is an opportunity for donors to participate directly in the Trust’s grantmaking and join a community of philanthropists with similar…
All Stories
-
“A Good Heart, A Giving Heart”: Mary Richardson-Lowry
Mary Richardson-Lowry grew up watching her grandparents open their hearts to their community—giving generously to anyone in need. And from their example, she says, “The…
-
Listen Up: StoryCorps Launches Thanksgiving Challenge
Open to everyone, the Great Thanksgiving Listen is a national assignment to engage people of all ages in the act of listening. All that is…
-
For Native American Veterans, Recognition at Last
On a rainy August Saturday in Wheaton’s Cantigny Park, an impressive color guard with 18 Eagle Staffs—the representation of a tribe’s military achievements and honor—led the…
-
A Son’s Struggle Inspires a Movement for Mental Health Parity
Peter O’Brien’s only son died long before his time, felled at 32 by schizophrenia and health problems that resulted from medicating himself with alcohol. O’Brien…
-
A “Clown Doctor” Brightens Life for Chicago’s Children and Seniors
Karen Hoyer is a professional mime artist who has made a career out of making people smile. She uses her gift of performance to spread…
-
American Dreamer Frank Clark: “Every Day, I Try to Give Back”
Frank Clark epitomizes the American success story. Born in Chicago in the 1940s, he started in the mailroom at ComEd, eventually climbing the ranks to…
-
"We Are Still a Resilient Community": Chicago Latinos Unite in Philanthropy
Since 1870, Erie Neighborhood House has been serving Chicago’s Latino families in communities like West Town, Humboldt Park and Pilsen. The organization provides a range…
-
Inside a North Lawndale Community Garden
Good things are happening all over Chicago. To celebrate some of the people making a difference, The Chicago Community Trust has partnered with Free Spirit…
-
A Death Across the Street Inspires a Movement to Reclaim South Shore
After living for 40 years in South Shore/South Chicago—two adjacent lakefront neighborhoods that have gone from middle-class haven to gang stronghold—Laura Morgan didn’t have much…
-
Equality Activist Evan Wolfson on Generosity, Government and Mending the World
Serving as co-counsel in the landmark Hawaii marriage case Baehr v. Miike, which paved the way for the global freedom to marry movement, Evan Wolfson…
