For more than 90 years, The Chicago Community Trust has offered innovative ways for Chicagoans to continue the proud tradition of philanthropy in Greater Chicago. We have crafted giving programs that allow a wide range of donors to support the causes and communities they care about. In doing so, we hope to encourage others – especially young Chicagoans – to join us. 

Many of our giving options are focused on geographic areas or populations of interest:

• The African American Legacy Initiative – Carrying on the rich tradition of giving in Chicago’s African-American community, the African American Legacy Initiative seeks to involve more African Americans in philanthropy and to support the not-for-profit organizations that improve the community.
  
  
• Asian Giving Circle – A fund focused on building charitable resources to support organizations serving Chicago’s diverse Asian communities.
  
  
• The Lake County Community Foundation – formed in response to growth in population in Lake County, Illinois, and the concurrent increase in demand for services and programs.  A group of key business, civic and government officials designed this foundation to be a permanent, endowed charitable resource available to help the community anticipate and address changing needs.
  
  
• Nuestro Futuro – A philanthropic initiative focused on supporting the growth and well-being of Chicago’s Latino community and increasing the participation of Chicago area Latinos in organized philanthropy.  The Trust is also proud to host the Latino Giving Circle, a philanthropic and educational vehicle designed and led by Latinos.
  
  
• Persons with Disabilities Fund - The Persons with Disabilities Fund promotes the development of programs, policy and public action that expands the empowerment, inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities in our communities. 
  
  
• The Young Leaders Fund – With a focus on young professionals, this fund helps Chicagoans, 25-50 years old, connect with each other, leverage their individual charitable gifts, and learn how to identify, evaluate and fund new and emerging not-for-profit organizations.
  
  
• The Will County Community Foundation - formed in 2006, in response to the growing needs in Will County, the Foundation was created to engage residents in identifying community needs and priorites and promote philanthropy within the county to meet these needs. 

Other giving opportunities address specific challenges facing the Chicago area:

• Arts Education Initiative – Promotes systemic change in the teaching of the arts in the Chicago Public Schools.
  
  
• Arts Work Fund – Strengthen small arts and cultural organizations by developing the business side of their operations.
  
  
• Chicago Campaign to Expand Community Schools – Supports the expansion of community schooling in Chicago.
  
  
• Chicago Area Foundation for Legal Services – Created to provide charitable support for the availability and quality of legal services for the poor and indigent.
  
  
• Chicago High School Redesign Initiative – Aims to create a variety of high-quality, autonomous new small high schools throughout Chicago’s neighborhoods. 
  
  
• The Partnership for New Communities – Supports efforts to transform former public housing sites into thriving mixed-income communities.
  
  
• Springboard Foundation – Provides constructive educational and out-of-school activities for children in Chicago’s poorest neighborhoods. 

We invite you to explore these opportunities, and hope you will find a giving opportunity to fit your interests or work with us to create a custom program for you.