A Forever Resource: Nuestro Futuro Nears a $10 Million Endowment
Chicago’s diverse Latine communities are an economic and cultural force in our city. From small businesses that anchor neighborhoods to the food, art,…
Critical Needs
Spotlights on community issues, the people, and the organizations who contribute to effective philanthropy as well as a stronger Chicago region and world.
Recent
-
-
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…
-
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…
“Critical Needs” Critical Needs
-
Stories of Impact 2022: 211 Metro Chicago
Chicagoans facing difficult situations now have a dedicated resource to contact for help. Launched in January 2023, 211 Metro Chicago is a free helpline connecting…
-
AAPI Heritage Month Spotlight: Chinese American Service League
To celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, the Trust will be spotlighting AAPI leaders and AAPI-serving organizations that have contributed to the…
-
Trust Talks, The Podcast - Episode 10: Creating a Lasting Legacy for the Chicago Region
In this episode of the Trust Talks podcast, we explore how the Trust’s endowment and bequests made decades ago continue to address the most pressing issues…
-
211 Metro Chicago: Improving How We Serve Residents in Need
Navigating the social service system in the Chicago region can be a burdensome process. In times of crisis when demand for these services skyrockets, such…
-
Sophia Bolton
Sophia Bolton (she/her) is the program specialist for the Critical Needs team at The Chicago Community Trust. In this role, she informs strategy and executes grantmaking…
-
Unity Fund: A Look at Impact in 2022
The Chicago Community Trust’s Unity Fund is a testament to the community spirit of the Chicago region and the power of collective giving. Since its…
-
Giving Season 2022: 3 Ways You Can Support the Chicago Region
The Illinois Immigration Funders Collaborative (IFC) The Illinois Immigration Funders Collaborative (IFC) is a collaborative fund that provides grant dollars to organizations serving immigrants, refugees,…
-
Helping Immigrants and Refugees Feel Safe, Supported, and Welcomed: Illinois Immigration Funders Collaborative Awards $450,000 in Grants
Over the past year and a half, Illinois has seen an influx in immigration. An estimated 3,000 refugees from Afghanistan and 8,800 refugees from Ukraine…
-
Centering Community Experts and Voices are Essential to Violence Prevention Strategies
I want to honor everyday Chicagoans making changes where they call home. The ones who roll up their sleeves in the face of adversity when…
-
Welcoming Chicago’s Newest Neighbors
Recently I was in New York City on a family vacation. During this trip, my 10-year-old daughter’s must-see list included the Statue of Liberty. Many…
