Lisandra Lao, and How She’s Inspiring the Next Generation of Young Philanthropists
For 30 years, The Chicago Community Trust’s Young Leaders Fund (YLF) has empowered young adults to actively participate in philanthropy by interacting with…
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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Laying the Groundwork for Lasting Policy Reform
When the Trust decided to integrate policy change into our strategies, we did so recognizing that to achieve our mission of a thriving…
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Trust Talks, The Podcast – Episode 24: Sustaining Chicago's Cultural Ecosystem
Chicago is one of the most influential cultural cities in the United States, known for its distinctive blend of architecture, visual arts, music,…
“Connecting Philanthropy to Impact” Connecting Philanthropy to Impact
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Asian Giving Circle Awards 2024 General Operating Grants to 10 Organizations in the Chicago Region
The Asian Giving Circle (AGC), an initiative of The Chicago Community Trust, supports Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI)-led nonprofits in the Chicago region through…
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From the Archives: 2003 – The Beginnings of Nuestro Futuro
Latine culture is rooted in longstanding traditions of coming together to support families, neighbors, and communities. Latine households are significantly more likely than non-Latine households…
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Making Meaningful Difference: A Q&A with Philanthropist Laura Gutierrez
Giving back is part of who Laura Gutierrez is and how she chooses to show up in the world. What began as a high school…
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Announcing the New Advisory Board of the Disabilities Fund
The Disabilities Fund, an initiative of The Chicago Community Trust, is proud to announce its new cohort of advisory board members. The following members began…
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Nuestro Futuro Awards $370,000 in 2024 Grants to Chicago Nonprofits Focused on Immigration and Early Childhood
*In 2025, to respond to the urgent needs of the community, Nuestro Futuro invited their 2024 grant partners to reapply for funding in 2025. All…
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From the Archives: 1966 – Gautreaux v. Chicago Housing Authority
Public housing in Chicago has a long and complicated history that has had a lasting impact on federal housing policy nationwide. In 1942, the first…
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From Giving USA to Illinois Gives: How to Ensure Lasting Impact in a Changing Charitable Environment
In 2023 Americans gave $557.16 billion to charities—the highest dollar amount on record. While a staggering total, it represents a 2.1% decline over the previous…
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Press Forward Chicago Supports a Thriving Local Media Landscape
Robust local news coverage is essential to fostering an informed and engaged public. In contrast to much of the country, where local newspapers are going…
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Black Philanthropy Month Spotlight: Natashia Holmes
Natashia L. Holmes is the founder of McMillan Holmes LLC, a law firm specializing in real estate and property law. Prior to starting her firm,…
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Young Leaders Fund Awards $75,000 to Small, Start-Up Nonprofits
The Young Leaders Fund (YLF), an initiative of The Chicago Community Trust provides young professionals with an innovative way to make a difference in Chicago. With support…
