The Chicago Community Trust

Opened today, the National Museum of Public Housing in #Chicago's Little Italy is now the first cultural institution in the country dedicated to telling the stories of public housing residents through everyday objects, oral histories, art, and media. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4hWxlqw

Last night, the Chicago Commons Board of Directors and Leaders Council came together for an inspiring evening of dialogue and connection. We had the privilege of learning from Marisa Novara, Vice President of Community Impact at The Chicago Community Trust, who shared insights from her impactful career — highlighting the systemic cost of segregation in the City of Chicago and emphasizing how affordable housing is key to closing the racial and ethnic wealth gap. A heartfelt thank you to Amit Mehta, Ofelia Potter, Edgar Ramirez, and Marisa Novara for creating such a thoughtful and engaging opportunity to come together, learn, and grow. #ChicagoCommons #LeadershipDevelopment #CommunityImpact

A business selling Back of the Yards-themed clothing and accessories will open its first brick-and-mortar store in the United Yards development. The owner of the business intends for the products to celebrate the neighborhood's history and hopes the shop will become an example for young people. United Yards is a grant recipient of We Rise Together: For an Equitable & Just Recovery (housed at The Chicago Community Trust). #Chicago #Philanthropy Learn more: https://bit.ly/427bvL1

The Chicago Community Trust was honored to sponsor last night’s Chicago Humanities program featuring the dynamic duo of Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson as well as expert facilitator Professor Ada Palmer of the University of Chicago. Trust President & CEO Andrea Sáenz gave opening remarks, noting: “Tonight, we hope to use our time to imagine what can be if we’re willing to seize big opportunities and tackle big problems differently… I’ve learned over decades of local and federal government and community service that our imaginations must be activated to chart a course beyond the status quo—to something that serves more of us better.” During the program, Professor Palmer directed a thoughtful conversation about Klein and Thompson’s new book, Abundance—inspiring the audience with its hopeful view of the future that reminds us to remain curious, actively participate in society, and to remember that we live in an ever-changing world and that the future is up to us. #Chicago [Photo Credit: Kyle Flubacker]

#RFP OPEN: Press Forward Chicago, housed at The Chicago Community Trust, is excited to announce a new funding opportunity to empower civic journalism and amplify community residents’ voices. This grant program seeks to support capacity building and audience growth and engagement for community-based journalism organizations. #Chicago Grants will be awarded to organizations addressing one of the funding priorities below: • Audience Growth and Engagement: Efforts to increase audience numbers across various platforms, including newsletters. Additionally, growth of audience engagement across platforms. • Sustainability: Organizations developing new, scalable business models for their own stability and financial sustainability in local news. This grant cycle will distribute up to 12 grants ranging from $25,000 to $75,000 each to support capacity-building project support over a one-year period. Learn + Apply: https://lnkd.in/gnvZaVAH

A walking series in Lincoln Square is partnering with urban historian Shermann "Dilla" Thomas, a Trust grant recipient, for a free walking tour of Winnemac Park. Participants will learn about the park's history while enjoying the beauty of nature. You can get tickets for the tour, which will start at 2:30 p.m. on April 13th. #Chicago Learn more: https://bit.ly/41UXh1b

A coalition of nonprofits have launched a collective effort to build affordable single-family homes in #Chicago's South and West Side neighborhoods—for people with modest incomes who are prepared to become homebuyers. The goal is to construct 2,000 homes within the next five years, clustered in areas plagued for years by vacant lots. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4c4zBea

Last week, Trust President & CEO Andrea Sáenz joined Chicago Innovation and fellow panelists (Alexi Giannoulias, Pete Kadens, Christy George, Kevin Warren, and Brad Henderson) for "Innovating Chicago: A New Vision for Our City’s Future." In discussing the future of the #Chicago region and what it will take to get there, speakers were invited to share their perspectives on how thinking differently and taking bold risks is a path forward to ensure a new vision for Chicago takes shape. Andrea noted: "This is the year to show our resilience. Chicago has one of the most engaged business and civic sectors, a robust nonprofit community, universities pursuing groundbreaking new ideas, and policymakers who listen. Facing adversity is when we come together for our neighbors and shine."

A Latine-owned coffee shop, Back of the Yards Coffee Co., reopened last weekend—the first of several businesses opening this spring as part of the United Yards development. In addition to serving drinks, baked goods, and Latin American-inspired food, the shop is designed to be a community hub. United Yards is a grant recipient of We Rise Together: For an Equitable & Just Recovery (housed at The Chicago Community Trust). #Chicago #Philanthropy #WeRiseWednesdays Learn more: https://bit.ly/426Xtt7

Did you stop by the Bank of America #ShamrockShuffle on Sunday? ☘️ Congratulations to all the participants, especially several of our amazing Trust staffers who joined and cheered for each other. 🥳 #Chicago