School News

Big Shoulders Fund Helps Transform Struggling Schools

February 1, 2016February 2, 2016Dreams

“We simply wouldn’t be here without Big Shoulders,” said Denise Spells, principal at St. Ethelreda School on Chicago’s South Side. This is a constant refrain from principals at Big Shoulders Fund schools.

St. Ethelreda and six other schools faced challenging financial and operating conditions in serving their communities. In response, Big Shoulders Fund agreed to temporarily take on the majority financial responsibility for these schools during a three-year period, along with helping the schools to address key operating issues. Big Shoulders increased its commitment from seven to ten schools starting in the 2015-16 school year, and is working with these schools to improve in both the short and long-term.

See how the Covered Schools Initiative is transforming these schools.

Mentor Spotlight: Illinois Mentoring Partnership honors Fred O’Connor

February 1, 2016February 2, 2016Dreams

Big Shoulders Fund is proud to share that Director and Co-Chair of the Chairmen’s Advisory Council Fred O’Connor were recognized by the Illinois Mentoring Partnership at their statewide recognition event to honor companies, organizations, and key individuals who are making a difference through mentoring. The event, “IMPACT: A Breakfast Honoring the Champions of Youth Mentoring,” was held at the Union League Club.

Ernie, a Partnership to Educate and Advance Kids (PEAK) scholar at Big Shoulders Fund supported Holy Trinity High School and Fred O’Connor, his mentor, were recognized with the inaugural IMPACT Award.

Big Shoulders Fund is proud of all its mentors and took the time to talk to Fred O’Connor about his rewarding experience as a mentor.

How long have you been a mentor?

I have been a mentor to Ernie for three years, he’s a junior now at Holy Trinity HS.

Tell us your favorite thing about mentoring.

Ernie is a very warm and easy-going young man. He has a great way about him, I liked him the first moment I met him. I know he is trying to improve himself and learn. He comes from a loving home and has faced challenges. Ernie’s attitude toward adversity is really inspiring as he shares a spiritual and positive outlook. Ernie is just a kid easy to root for.

What make you committed to being a mentor?

The sense that I am needed and having a positive impact. I especially like that others I know have been inspired to become mentors too.

The City Club of Chicago Panel on Philanthropy

December 15, 2015February 2, 2016Dreams

The City Club of Chicago hosted the panel Chicago Philanthropy: A Brave New World on November 24, 2015, moderated by Big Shoulders Fund President and CEO Joshua Hale. The panel featured philanthropic leaders Lindsay Avner, Founder and CEO of Bright Pink, Deborah A. Liverett, Senior Vice President at The Northern Trust Company, and Jim Parsons, President of The Brinson Foundation.

The conversation comes at a challenging time for the city of Chicago and highlights how philanthropy faces these challenges head-on. The panelists touched on new trends in philanthropy, the importance of collaboration, and the advantages to working in Chicago.

Watch the video and learn how philanthropy is a complex and challenging endeavor. Just to begin in philanthropy is half the battle, but once you get your feet wet you will be sure to stick around. With so many compelling foundations and nonprofits in Chicago, and so many great civic and philanthropic leaders, there is only hope for the future of the city.

Big Shoulders Fund Named to Chicago Magazine’s List of 20 Best Charities

December 9, 2015December 9, 2015Dreams

As the adage goes, you are known by the company you keep. So, based on our recent appearance in Chicago Magazine’s article, “Best Charities in Chicago: 20 Standout Nonprofits to Support this Season,” we keep good company! We are thrilled to be listed as one of the top 20 nonprofits in Chicagoland from a list of more than 18,000!

In his now famous book Good to Great, author Jim Collins describes his research of thousands of companies here in the United States to understand how a company moves from being a good company to a great one. In a similar way, Chicago Magazine recently undertook a research project to identify the strongest nonprofit groups in the Chicago region. They started with more than 18,000 nonprofits that exist in the area. They then culled that list by
analyzing data and using ratings from Charity Navigator, a national watchdog group that provides analysis on charities’ transparency, data, and effectiveness in delivering on their mission. From that group they identified nonprofits which they believe best met the following criteria: a unique mission, maintain strong data to show impact, a strong Chicago connection, and how big a hole would be left if the nonprofit were to disappear. The result: Big Shoulders Fund and 19 other nonprofits, which Chicago Magazine classifies as the “best” and the ones they suggest people consider supporting as the holiday season approaches.

As with any endeavor, our success starts with leadership and a great product. We are blessed with so many believers who provide the leadership and support enabling hope for the future; and then the children, the schools, and the many educators who make our mission possible.

As you will see in the article written by Lee Clifford, we are in great company with other groups seeking to make our community a better place for all of us to live.

July 1, 2015August 27, 2015Dreams

This spring’s Shoulder to Shoulder Newsletter focuses on building the future of our schools, the News Media Literacy Initiative, Patrons impact, PNC Bank’s corporate partnership, and the stand out moments from the 2014-2015 school year.

Read now to learn more!