Insights Stories Donors Strategic Plan Professional Advisors About We Are a Platform for Change that Connects Philanthropy to Impact. As our region’s community foundation, The Chicago Community Trust unites generous donors, committed nonprofits and caring residents to effect lasting change that moves our entire region forward. For more than 100 years, donors have entrusted their philanthropic resources and visions to our stewardship. Guided by our deep knowledge of the community, we fund, lead, convene and collaborate to address the greatest and most critical needs facing the Chicago region. Our approach centers on both tackling the region’s immediate needs and addressing the root causes of deep-seated issues to make a tangible, lasting impact. The strength of our expertise goes to work—no matter what your philanthropic goals— to ensure your generosity can do the greatest good for our region and beyond. We work with a number of partnerships and initiatives to accomplish this work. HOW WE’RE DIFFERENT: BEYOND GRANT MAKING OUR VISION The Trust’s vision is a thriving, equitable and connected Chicago region where people of all races, places and identities have the opportunity to reach their potential. OUR STRATEGY For more than a century The Chicago Community Trust has convened, supported, funded and accelerated the work of community members and change-makers committed to strengthening the Chicago region. Today, our region’s biggest challenges stem from racial and ethnic wealth inequality—and it will not be able to realize its potential until this systemic issue is addressed. As a result, we have decided to focus our discretionary funds to address the region’s fundamental challenge: racial and ethnic wealth inequity. OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION The Chicago Community Trust’s vision is a Chicago region where equity, opportunity, and prosperity abound. We acknowledge the specific role discrimination and systemic barriers based on race, ethnicity, and other varied identities and differences have played in limiting opportunities for too many. A commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is at the core of who we are, the decisions we make, and the actions we take in our work to strengthen the communities we serve and advance our strategic focus to close the racial and ethnic wealth gap. Diversity: The breadth of visible and invisible differences in who we are and how we identify. We involve and reflect the communities we serve. We honor our differences as fundamental to carrying out our mission. Equity: The recognition that people and communities experience unequal and unjust circumstances and the actions that seek to rectify them. We account for disparities in opportunity when allocating our resources. Inclusion: The involvement of all voices, collaborating and embracing our differences. We aim to build a culture of belonging in which everyone feels respected. We believe every person’s voice adds value, and we strive to create balance in the context of power differences. Our Commitment: We know that philanthropy has played a role in perpetuating systems that have not always advanced equity, but we recognize we have an opportunity to do better and are committed to making a positive difference. Explore our strategic plan © 2021 The Chicago Community Trust