Two men stand together talking in front of large.

Jul 29 2019

The 1915 Society: A Membership in the Region’s Future

Note: This article was posted prior to the Trust's current strategy.

Take a look at Our Work to learn more about what the Trust is focused on today.

Where We Are Now

The 1915 Society is our way of expressing gratitude to our most generous and visionary donors.

Named for the year that The Chicago Community Trust was founded, the 1915 Society welcomes local philanthropists who have included the Trust in their estate plans. As donors look forward to the legacy they want to leave, we have the charitable tools to translate that vision into action—and it is our honor to be of service.

Members of the 1915 Society are invited to exclusive special events, informational seminars and the annual 1915 Society luncheon.

For this year’s luncheon, members gathered at the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture to hear the Trust’s president and CEO, Helene Gayle, interviewed by Brandis Friedman, host and correspondent of WTTW’s Chicago Tonight.

Gayle shared an inside look at the Trust’s strategic planning process, the goals that are emerging from that work and the ways in which we look forward to sustaining our service to donors—while identifying new opportunities for deeper partnership.

“There are different ways that we’re thinking about how donors can be true partners with us. We want to be partnering with you,” Gayle told the group. “We want you to be part of the idea generation with us, so that you’re thinking about really being on a journey with us.”

“The 1915 Society consists of those visionary people who want to secure the future of our great community. Jamee and I are proud to be members of this distinguished group.”
—1915 Society Member Marshall Field V

Becoming a member is as easy as letting us know your intentions—no pledge is required.

In turn, the benefits of membership in the 1915 Society include:

  • Assurance that your charitable wishes are honored in perpetuity
  • Invitation to exclusive events, seminars and the annual 1915 Society luncheon
  • No formal pledge or commitment required

When you include your philanthropy in your estate plan, you help build a brighter future for our entire region.

 

If you are looking for guidance in thinking about your estate plans, our gift planning experts are happy to assist you. Please contact our senior director of gift planning Tim Bresnahan at 312.565.2832 or tbresnahan@cct.org, or director of gift planning Don Gottesman at 312.616.6141 or dgottesman@cct.org.

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