Physical Spaces that are Inspiring Possibility Across Chicago
“When you build beautiful spaces, you encourage people to do beautiful things,” said Caleb Herod, whose work at The Chicago Community Trust focuses…
Connecting Philanthropy to Impact
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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What New Research Reveals About Chicago's Homeownership Gap
Chicago thrives when residents feel they can make a home here, put down roots, and invest in their future and their community. In…
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Chicago’s Next Chapter in Equitable Transit-Oriented Development
Five years ago this June, the City of Chicago adopted a bold vision and framework for equitable transit-oriented development (ETOD). The Chicago Plan…
“Grantmaking” Connecting Philanthropy to Impact
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Rebuilding Chicago’s Corridors, One Small Business at a Time
Across many parts of Chicago, vibrant commercial corridors are key contributors to neighborhood vitality, providing jobs, essential goods and services, and places where communities gather.…
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Advancing Access to Health Care Across the Chicago Region
Across Illinois, a significant number of adults report delays in getting medical care—or going without it altogether—because of cost, difficulty accessing providers, and gaps in…
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A Place to Stay, A Path to Stability
A home is more than bricks and mortar — it’s where we find safety, stability, and a sense of belonging. For many, owning a home…
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Making Big Ideas Real, Together
When it comes to solving complex challenges, what can philanthropy do? How do we build spaces where funders and nonprofit partners can dream, experiment, and…
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South and West Side Neighborhood Revitalization Starts with its Residents
Community development in neighborhoods that have long faced underinvestment begins with the people who know their communities best. On Chicago’s South and West sides, community-based…
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How Restricted Funds Can Support Chicago’s Creative Community
For many donors, a love of the arts is deeply personal, shaped by formative experiences in classrooms, concert halls, neighborhood theaters, and community centers. That…
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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 it home.…
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TRP’s Forgivable Loan Supports Longtime Homeowners on Chicago’s West Side
Homeownership has been a cornerstone of financial security and wealth for many families, but aging housing stock, costly repairs, and market pressures threaten that stability.…
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The Power of Collective Advocacy & Collaboration
In communities across Illinois, families work hard to build stable lives, but the systems meant to support them often fall short. Whether it’s the rising…
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Planting Seeds of Change
The front door creaks open as the late afternoon sun spills into a small apartment on Chicago’s West Side. Backpacks hit the floor. A child’s…
