From the Archives: 2004 – The Creation of the Disabilities Fund
December 3rd is International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which celebrates the achievements of people with disabilities and raises awareness of the challenges…
Stories
Spotlights on community issues, the people, and the organizations who contribute to effective philanthropy as well as a stronger Chicago region and world.
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Trust Talks, The Podcast – Episode 23: Understanding the Impact of Public Benefits
When most people picture hunger in America, they think of food pantries. Yet for every meal a pantry provides, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance…
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Asian Giving Circle Awards $100,000 in its 2025 Grantmaking Cycle
Asian Giving Circle, an initiative of The Chicago Community Trust, is a grassroots philanthropic initiative uniting donor to make a greater collective impact…
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5 Lessons for Closing a Nonprofit the Right Way
The Chicago Community Trust’s SMART Growth initiative was designed to help small arts organizations develop sustainability in the face of economic shifts and organizational transitions.…
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Celebrating Disability Pride with Chicago's Everyday Philanthropists
On Saturday, July 18, hundreds of Chicago-area residents filled the Loop for the 12th annual Disability Pride Parade. Chicago’s Disability Pride Parade is the longest…
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Tablet-Based Teaching Reaches New Students—Behind Bars
“Mostly a bunch of guys sitting around a big room, watching daytime TV.” That’s how Brian Hill, lead creator of one of the hottest new…
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An Ally for Chicago's LGBT Community
For the creators of The LGBT Community Fund at The Chicago Community Trust, the goal was to come together so that organizations serving the LGBT…
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Helping the Kids Who Go Hungry All Weekend: Chicago Bears’ Kyle Long
Chicago Bears Pro Bowl offensive lineman Kyle Long is known for his performance on the football field—but this spring he made headlines off the field…
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For the Public Good: CHIRP Radio Talks to Pro Bono Lawyers
In Cook County, there are upwards of 45,000 state-registered attorneys. Thankfully, many of those lawyers are doing pro bono work in the city of Chicago.…
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Think Good, It's Friday! 7.17.17
How many of you participated in the ALS “Ice Bucket Challenge” last summer? You’ll recall that our social media feeds were jam-packed with videos and…
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The Story of a Storyteller: Remembering PJ Paparelli
Chicago is mourning the loss of PJ Paparelli, who has been the artistic force behind American Theater Company for the last 7 years. PJ was a gifted…
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Setting the Stage for a New View of Mental Health
As a young mom with a passion for teaching young people, Meg Ritter understands the power of stories. Her philosophy is, “Stories can bring people…
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The Spirit of Generosity at the Taste of Chicago
Last weekend, more than 1.4 million people experienced the Taste of Chicago, the City’s premier outdoor food festival showcasing the diversity of Chicago’s dining community. The…
