South Side Sanctuary: A Place for Outdoor Recreation, Exploring Creativity, and Improving Wellbeing
Our environment has a huge impact on our well-being. Research has shown that access to outdoor amenities can reduce stress and improve physical…
Stories
Spotlights on community issues, the people, and the organizations who contribute to effective philanthropy as well as a stronger Chicago region and world.
Recent Stories
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From the Archives: 2015 – ADA 25 Chicago
December 3rd is International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a day that advances awareness of issues faced by the disability community. In 2022,…
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Trusted Voices: Unity Fund Creates a Pathway to Well-Being
Addressing residents’ most urgent needs is at the heart of our work as the Chicago region’s community foundation. The Chicago Community Trust’s Unity…
All Stories
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Our Partners in Change: Suzanne Shier
Attorney Suzanne Shier enjoys solving puzzles. In her role of counsel with Levenfeld Pearlstein’s trusts and estates group, she gets to do just that, with…
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Our Partners in Change: Brian Barnes
Brian Barnes is the founder and CEO of financial tech start-up M1 Finance. With his siblings, he also manages a fund at the Trust that…
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Our Partners in Change: Ken O'Keefe
When Ken O’Keefe was starting out as an investment banker, he was struck by the contrast between the luxurious lifestyles associated with his storied industry…
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Our Partners in Change: Mars Wrigley & Vistria Group
Recognizing that we can do far more together than alone, the Trust is deeply committed to partnerships—not just with our donors and grant recipients, but…
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Community Development Builds Framework to Close Racial Wealth Gap
This article was originally published in the Chicago Tribune on May 17, 2022. Chicago’s cycle of neighborhood disinvestment may be at a turning point. As…
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Trust Talks, The Podcast - Episode 7: Solving Our Workforce Challenge
In this episode of the Trust Talks podcast, as we approach the tenth anniversary of the inception of the Chicagoland Workforce Funder Alliance, we examine how…
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A Legacy Focused on the Region’s Future
The Trust’s ability to pivot and address the evolving needs of the community is due to donors whose generosity lives on through the Trust. The…
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Expanding Impact: How Charitable Dollars Can Make an Impact Beyond Grant Making
Philanthropy and investing are often thought of as two very separate disciplines—one dedicated to driving positive social change; the other focused solely on generating financial…
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Strengthening Community Organizing Infrastructure is Central to COVID-19 Recovery Efforts
A little over two years ago, the pandemic forced us to collectively adapt to an unprecedented set of circumstances. Community organizers quickly pivoted to address…
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Bending the Curve of Recovery to Achieve a Stronger, Equitable Chicago Region
Two years ago, the world was facing an unprecedented unknown: a deadly global pandemic that was shutting down life as we knew it. But one…
