Unity Fund: A Look at Impact in 2024
The Chicago Community Trust’s Unity Fund is a testament to the community spirit of the Chicago region and the power of collective giving. …
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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Using Arts and Culture to Spark Narrative Change
For many, art is a form of entertainment. For others, it also serves to inform audiences on society’s biggest issues, challenge harmful narratives,…
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LGBTQ Community Fund Grants $420,000 to Support Youth, Seniors, and the Arts in 2024
The LGBTQ Community Fund, an affinity fund of The Chicago Community Trust, unites donors to support Chicago’s LGBTQ community. Since its founding in 2010,…
All Stories
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The First Great Donor: James A. Patten
In 1924 James A. Patten gave assets to the Trust that survive to this day. Known as the “Wheat King,” Patten amassed a fortune on the commodities…
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Think Good, It's Friday! 7.31.15
This past Sunday, July 26, people across the country celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Here in Chicago, the Trust…
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A Hip-Hop Artist and a Nurse, Both Inspiring a New Generation
Sometimes philanthropy is the simple act of listening or the telling of a story to celebrate someone’s life. This week’s stories from the Vocalo Storytellers…
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Addressing the Stigma of Invisible Disabilities: Mark Ishaug
According to the World Health Organization, mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders are the leading cause of disability worldwide. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)…
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Greater Together with Technology
I was a teenager in the 1980’s and remember disability activists taking over bus routes and rolling in front of buses in acts of civil…
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Changing Perception, Advancing Workforce Inclusion: Steve Pemberton
“Growing up in foster care, I always wondered: how had I become disconnected from my parents? Why? Who are they?” It wasn’t until he was…
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Pushing Forward
Twenty-five years ago, on July 26, 1990, 2,000 people with disabilities gathered on the South Lawn of the White House for the Americans with Disabilities…
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Life After a Spinal Cord Injury: Thea Flaum Helps Families Find Answers
Sunday, July 26, marked the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): landmark civil rights legislation that drastically improved the lives of people…
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Think Good, It's Friday! 7.24.15
The Trust is committed to supporting efforts to build stronger communities throughout the Chicagoland region—as demonstrated by On the Table, our work to convene residents…
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5 Lessons for Closing a Nonprofit the Right Way
The Chicago Community Trust’s SMART Growth initiative was designed to help small arts organizations develop sustainability in the face of economic shifts and organizational transitions.…
