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"What kind of state do you want for yourself, and more importantly, for those that follow you? We need leaders in government whose vision extends beyond the next election. We also need leaders in education and the nonprofit sector whose vision extends beyond their own niche – leaders who understand the importance of others in the choppy waters as they struggle to stay afloat."

The Chicago Community Trust has announced $1.5 million in funding in a second round of Unity Challenge grants for organizations whose programs have been targeted for funding cuts by the State and the City while simultaneously experiencing increased demand for services. Applications are due August 13, 2010.

It’s no surprise to anyone in the nonprofit and philanthropic sector that Illinois’ economy is in a sorry state. Everyday, we are confronted with disturbing stories on the front page of the newspaper or from friends and colleagues about vital services being cut, sharply increasing need, lay-offs, and delayed State payments to contracted providers.

Donors Forum Members Bank of America, Deloitte Services LP, IBM, and Microsoft Corporation were mentioned while Abbott Laboratories and Kraft Foods, Inc. were listed as companies who gave 50% or more in products rather than money in 2009 in a new USA Today article, "Companies donate employees' time, service instead of cash."

Innovation and scale are key themes in several high-profile federal initiatives, including the Social Innovation Fund and the Promise Neighborhoods program, and even in Mark Zuckerberg’s $100 million donation to Newark public schools. These efforts respond to a growing feeling that current approaches to improve health, education, and economic opportunities are not having the desired impact.

Our CEO's letter to the editor about charitable giving was published by the Chicago Tribune this weekend. Valerie reminds us that our year-end gifts are more important than ever, as nonprofits that provide essential services to the men, women, and children of Illinois are being clobbered by the economy and the State budget crisis.