Neighborhood Development Champions Support a Strong Pipeline of Community-Led Projects
For the Chicago region to thrive, all communities must prosper. Disinvestment in the South and West Sides has limited wealth-building and harmed neighborhood…
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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Joshua Moreno: On Philanthropy & Showing Up for Others
Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the cultures, contributions, and resilience of the Latine communities in Chicago and across the country.…
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Rooted in Care: Community Partners Are Charting Paths to Housing Stability
Housing instability can significantly impact a person’s health and economic outcomes, including physical, mental and behavioral well-being. Stable housing provides a foundation not…
All Stories
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Teens with Down Syndrome Find their Voice—On Stage
The young performers in a new play, What You Will, were having a wonderful time at rehearsal one recent Friday evening at the Menomonee Club’s…
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Lake County Responds to Rising Poverty, Aging Population
How do suburban counties respond to climbing poverty rates that have begun to surpass those of the nearby cities? How can human services providers best…
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Youth Mentor Networks Stop the ‘Revolving Door of Adults’
Fifteen years ago Bill Curry came to Chicago with one goal in mind: to work with young people. Unfortunately, the school he moved here to…
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Blazing a ‘Trail of Dreams’ for Undocumented Youth
Immigration-reform activist Maria Gabriela “Gaby” Pacheco says she has never been afraid of speaking out. Even though she lacks documents, she lives as if she…
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Diversity Gap Widens in Chicago’s Financial Sector
Workforce diversity is a significant challenge for the American financial services industry—especially in the Chicago region, where representation of African-Americans and Latinos has remained stagnant…
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For Low-Wage Workers, a Vision of Dignity and Power
On December 4, Latino Union celebrates 15 years of empowering low-income immigrant and U.S.-born workers around Chicago. Latino Union helps hundreds of day laborers and…
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Red Shoes Kickstart Conversation about Women and HIV
Lovette ‘Luvvie’ Ajayi and Karyn Brianne Lee are marketing and social media mavens. Ajayi is a digital strategist, public speaker and high-profile blogger, while Lee…
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A Trailblazing Pianist on Loving Jazz and Living with HIV
Award-winning pianist Fred Hersch and his trio made their Chicago Jazz Festival debut in 2015 on the Pritzker Pavilion stage, with what the Chicago Tribune…
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A Student Warrior Whose Purpose is Peace
At North Lawndale College Prep, Monay Jordan is a senior. She’s an A/P chemistry student. And she’s a Peace Warrior. In this violence prevention program,…
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For Powerful Social Media Campaigns, Find Your Ambassadors
One of the most powerful ways nonprofits can harness social media is through influencer marketing—enlisting people with social capital to join a campaign that raises…
