Unity Fund: A Look at Impact in 2025
The Chicago Community Trust’s Unity Fund is a testament to the power of collective giving. Since its founding in 2008 at the height…
Community Wealth
Spotlights on community issues, the people, and the organizations who contribute to effective philanthropy as well as a stronger Chicago region and world.
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Financial Health in Cook County: Why it Matters and How Policy Impacts Financial Well-Being
In 2025, The Chicago Community Trust, with support from JPMorganChase, commissioned the Financial Health Network to update the findings of its Financial Health…
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Responding to Chicago’s Urgent Needs in 2025
As the region’s community foundation, The Chicago Community Trust exists to respond to the needs of our region and the people who call…
“Community Wealth” Community Wealth
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Trust Talks, The Podcast - Episode 13: Planning for Equitable Neighborhood Development
In this episode of the Trust Talks podcast, we explore the role of planning in neighborhood development, current efforts to increase investment in Chicago neighborhoods,…
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On Community Impact: A Q&A with Marisa Novara
Community Foundation Week (November 12-18) is an annual, national campaign celebrating the role local philanthropy plays in empowering positive social and economic community change. In this Q&A,…
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Flexible Funding Program: Strengthening Communities and People
When I was a kid, my parents made it a priority to expose my brother and me to as much of our cultural heritage as…
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Marisa Novara
Marisa Novara is the vice president of Community Impact at The Chicago Community Trust. In this role, Marisa Novara leads the team overseeing the development…
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Pre-Development Fund: Mayfair Arts Center
In 1957, Chicago tap dancer and choreographer Tommy Sutton opened the Mayfair Academy to provide dance classes and education to South Side youth, particularly Black…
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Pre-Development Fund: Pullman Hotel
In 2015, the Obama administration designated the Historic Pullman District a national monument, making it part of the National Park System; it would later become…
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Pre-Development Fund: LUCHA HQ
LUCHA (Latin United Community Housing Association) was founded in 1982 by a coalition of residents from the West Town, Logan Square, and Humboldt Park neighborhoods…
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Connecting Community Through Equitable Transit-Oriented Development
Proximity to reliable transit makes a big difference for the well-being of people and communities — physically, socially, and economically. Good policies and leadership can…
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Advancing Homeownership as a Tool for Wealth Building
More than a roof over heads, homeownership is a critical tool for helping families increase their financial security, build wealth, and pass it down to…
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Stories of Impact 2022: We Rise Together
In the wake of the pandemic and the inequities it exposed, the philanthropic community has the chance to make transformational investments to strengthen long-disinvested communities…
