Post by Carrie Goodale

Part of my job at The Chicago Community Trust is engaging our volunteers in meaningful and interactive ways. I can't really think of a better way we do that as a collective group than our Affinity Funds Summit! We hosted our 2nd Annual Summit on Friday and it was amazing. A powerful day of building connections, making new friends, learning from each other, and demonstrating wholeheartedly how much power is in collective giving models. From workshops offered by Affinity Fund leaders and Trust staff, to a captivating lunch hour discussion with Trust leadership, a welcome from our President and CEO, and of course, a relaxing happy hour at a downtown spot to wrap up the day. I am always so grateful, and often in awe, that I get to do this work for a living. I am honored and proud to get the chance to do this with so many awesome people. Special shoutout to my partner in crime, Christine Munteanu, for her wonderful brain power in putting this together. And to our Trust staff who participated: Andrea Sáenz Sheila Cawley Ianna Kachoris Ori Jack Vesevick Mariah Van Ermen. Trust staff who engaged and made the day as smooth sailing as it was: Bob Eichinger Jacob Kurnat, CTS Chantelle Valenzuela. And of course a HUGE hats off to our fantastic Affinity Fund members: Trang Truong-Hill LeMinh Hoang Stephanie Lowe, CPC Sendhil Revuluri Ramona Gupta Eric Wu Andrew Don Kimberly Casey Natashia L. Holmes, Esq. G. Sequane Lawrence Keith Lewis Dr. Dennis Lacewell Sadaf Ajani Elon Sloan Joyce Ozeh Gizelle C. Jennie Brier Ray Crossman Kristin L. Scott Ronald Tuan-Mu Cambria C. Khayat Jacque Stefanic Ada T. Audrey L. Peiper Bernard Bartilad Patrick Maloney Pat Yuzawa-Rubin Nomalanga S. Jasmine Taylor Rene Morrell Elisa Davis. Also, our superstar consultants and fabulous outside experts: Eva Liu Consuella Brown Nneka Onwuzurike Ryan K. Priester #Chicago #Philanthropy #CollectiveGiving #AffinityFunds