Nuestro Futuro Awards $500,000 in 2026 Grantmaking Cycle
Nuestro Futuro, an initiative of The Chicago Community Trust, elevates Latine philanthropy to support Chicago-area organizations and programs aimed at improving the quality…
Community Development
Spotlights on community issues, the people, and the organizations who contribute to effective philanthropy as well as a stronger Chicago region and world.
Recent
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From Foundation to Home: Three Families Begin Their Next Chapter in Austin
“To my first home!” Courtney exclaimed as she jingled the keys to her new residence in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. Last year, Habitat for…
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A Program that Builds Savings Just by Paying Rent on Time
Between rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, and other everyday expenses, many Chicagoans are focused on getting through the month. Nearly half of Chicago renters…
“Community Development” Community Development
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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…
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Edwin Tobar
Edwin Tobar (he/him/his) is a program manager for Community Development at The Chicago Community Trust. In this role, Edwin leads conversations and grantmaking around development…
