As 2025 Winds Down...
A Note from Our CEO As 2025 winds down and we gather for holiday celebrations, I’ve been reflecting with friends and colleagues on…
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
-
-
Turning Houses into Homes: The Impact of 3C’s First Three Years
Launched in April of 2022 as a three-year program, Connecting Capital and Community (3C) Chicago is a collaborative effort between lenders, developers, and…
-
Trusted Voices: Addressing Hunger in Chicago
Families throughout Chicago are struggling to put food on their tables. Rising grocery and housing costs continue to strain household budgets, and pending…
All Stories
-
Sustainable Solutions for Housing Stability: Fulfilling Underserved Housing Needs
Amid an affordable housing shortage, skyrocketing rent, and COVID-era protections disappearing, rising homelessness has become one of the most prominent issues this decade. According to…
-
Trust Talks, The Podcast – Episode 16: Working Collaboratively to Address Community Safety
In this episode of Trust Talks, Jai Jones, Program Specialist for the Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities, is joined by Esther Franco-Payne (Executive Director,…
-
Announcing the New Advisory Board of the Disabilities Fund
The Disabilities Fund, an initiative of The Chicago Community Trust, is proud to announce its new cohort of advisory board members. The following members began…
-
Nuestro Futuro Awards $370,000 in 2024 Grants to Chicago Nonprofits Focused on Immigration and Early Childhood
*In 2025, to respond to the urgent needs of the community, Nuestro Futuro invited their 2024 grant partners to reapply for funding in 2025. All…
-
From the Archives: 1966 – Gautreaux v. Chicago Housing Authority
Public housing in Chicago has a long and complicated history that has had a lasting impact on federal housing policy nationwide. In 1942, the first…
-
From Giving USA to Illinois Gives: How to Ensure Lasting Impact in a Changing Charitable Environment
In 2023 Americans gave $557.16 billion to charities—the highest dollar amount on record. While a staggering total, it represents a 2.1% decline over the previous…
-
Press Forward Chicago Supports a Thriving Local Media Landscape
Robust local news coverage is essential to fostering an informed and engaged public. In contrast to much of the country, where local newspapers are going…
-
Black Philanthropy Month Spotlight: Natashia Holmes
Natashia L. Holmes is the founder of McMillan Holmes LLC, a law firm specializing in real estate and property law. Prior to starting her firm,…
-
Young Leaders Fund Awards $75,000 to Small, Start-Up Nonprofits
The Young Leaders Fund (YLF), an initiative of The Chicago Community Trust provides young professionals with an innovative way to make a difference in Chicago. With support…
-
From the Archives: 1987 – The Harris Theater
July 16, 2024 marks the 20th anniversary of Millennium Park, the top tourist destination in the Midwest. Within the famed park, the Harris Theater for…
