From the Archives: 1994 – The Origins of Young Leaders Fund
National Philanthropy Day, observed around the world on November 15th, celebrates the contributions of philanthropists of all backgrounds who dedicate their time, talents,…
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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2025 End-of-Year Charitable Giving: Important Dates & Deadlines for Gifts & Grants
The end of the year is approaching and we at The Chicago Community Trust are committed to making your year-end giving and grantmaking…
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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…
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Young Storytellers Capture Unsung Heroes with Vocalo Radio
Maple tree tapping at Northwestern University; scholarships for undocumented college hopefuls; a theatre company that promotes healing through performance; and an LGBT safe haven at…
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5,000 Strong, Chicagoans Love Giving Back
On Saturday, June 27, 2015, Chicago Cares held its 22nd annual Serve-a-thon, the city’s largest, single-day community service project. Nearly 5,000 volunteers in approximately 300 teams, representing more…
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Surviving Against the Odds, She Finds Her Destiny in Service
The baby girl born July 4, 1998 was 3 1/2 months premature and weighed only 1 pound, 5 ounces. The doctor who attended the birth…
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Studio and Safe Space: CHIRP Radio at the Urban Art Retreat
Nestled between the Metra and the CTA’s Pink Line, a few blocks from Douglas Park, is a typical Chicago three-flat, which is home to the…
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No Human Interaction Is Just One-Way': Brian Brady
Happy 4th of July! Today, we remember what it means to be Americans and celebrate all that entails—including the right to represent ourselves in the…
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Think Good, It's Friday! 7.3.15
As John F. Kennedy famously stated, “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” Outside of the…
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The U.S. Vice President with a Nobel Prize—and a #1 Hit Single
Charles Gates Dawes was a Chicago banker and politician who rose to the highest levels of society. General Dawes, as he was commonly known, had served…
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How a Chicago Student’s Commitment Got Magic on His Team
Justin Carmickle’s mother thinks he should write a book about the amazing journey service has taken him on—but he says, “It’s not the end of…
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5 Lessons for Keeping Your Nonprofit Open – From Organizations That Closed
A troubled economic climate means that nonprofit organizations face a decrease in contributions—at the same time that their customers rely on nonprofit services more than…
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Teaching Financial ABCs to LGBTQ Youth
Volunteers like Stacy Snyder know that when it comes to showing your inner philanthropist, simply signing a check is not enough. “When I moved back…
