More Than a Paycheck: What It Takes to Get Ahead
Two days before my brother’s 10th birthday, my family was on the brink of bankruptcy. My parents’ small business hadn’t hit its growth…
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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Trust Talks, The Podcast – Episode 27: Fueling Small Business Growth in Chicago
Small businesses are essential to stabilizing neighborhood economies. They create jobs, activate commercial corridors, and provide the goods and services that help communities…
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“Can I Invest in Community to Do Good?” Samuel Muñeton Jr. Shows Us How.
For Samuel Muñeton Jr., his philanthropy has come full circle. In his youth, Sam benefited directly from mentors and others in his community…
All Stories
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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…
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Job Training Programs: The Formula for Measuring Value
An organization providing job training prepares a client job seeker, phones an employer and sets up a job interview. The job seeker walks into the…
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A Chat Between Friends Leads to $340,000 Supporting Mental Health Services
During the toughest of times, many people feel the need to talk to someone about what they are going through. Youth and Family Counseling (YFC)…
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Think Good, It's Friday! 7.10.15
This week, the Today Show explored the “secrets of happiness,” prompted by a recent study that found much of our joy comes from simply being nice.…
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Listen to a Day in the Life of an Undocumented Immigrant
“I became a Vocalo Storyteller to express impactful stories that have affected my life and give a voice to the ignored nationwide issues the United…
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The Map Collector Who Shaped Chicago's Charitable Landscape
Hermon Dunlap Smith led both Marsh & McLennan, Inc., and The Chicago Community Trust. A brilliant philanthropic leader and businessman, Hermon “Dutch” Dunlap Smith served…
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Philanthropy as Small as a Box of Pens—And as Big as Asia
Homework help and tutoring in Chinatown. Health services for Laotian refugees in Elgin. Research-based public policy initiatives to benefit South Asian Americans. These valuable services…
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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…
