In
1986, the late Joseph Cardinal Bernardin formed the Big Shoulders Fund
with a group of Chicago’s prominent business, professional and
financial leaders.
Impetus
for this new enterprise was a result of a comprehensive Image Study of
Archdiocesan Catholic Schools by Peat, Marwick, Main and Company in
1985. The study had
recommended to Cardinal Bernardin that he seek the financial
assistance of corporate leadership in the Chicago area to help him
sustain the fiscal viability of inner-city Catholic schools.
Data from the study evidenced the interest on the part of many
Chicago business leaders in being a part of efforts to keep quality
education available in center city.
These leaders recognized that business is dependent upon a well
prepared work force and that Catholic schools were a valued source for
their work force.
The
Fund is a private, 501(c) 3 non-profit entity that receives and
channels private contributions exclusively to the inner-city Big
Shoulders schools. The
Fund was formed under the leadership of Mr. James J. O’Connor,
Chairman of Commonwealth Edison Company; Mr. Andrew J. McKenna,
President of Schwarz Paper Company; the late Mr. Edmund A. Stephan,
partner of the law firm of Mayer, Brown & Platt; and Mr. Barry F.
Sullivan, then Chairman of the Board of the First National Bank of
Chicago. They were
supported by a committee of fifty business and professional leaders.
Cardinal
Bernardin envisioned seeking a $100 million endowment fund to assure
the future for Catholic schools in the inner city.
The original committee dissuaded him of that narrow a mission
because of more immediate and evident needs.
In
introducing Big Shoulders, Cardinal Bernardin said: “Our greatest opportunity for service to the city and its people is to
strengthen our inner-city Catholic schools.
They offer a first-class education for both Catholics and
non-Catholics and serve as anchors within their neighborhoods. We now seek support to help us do an even better job of
preparing Chicago’s young men and women for a productive future.”
The
religious issue was an ever-important one.
Cardinal Bernardin assured individual
donors,
as well as corporate boards and foundations that Big Shoulders moneys
would not be co-mingled with Archdiocesan funds and that gifts to the
Fund would be utilized as designated by the donor.
Also, our schools emphasize moral and ethical values that
reflect our Judeo-Christian heritage.
Catholic schools are characterized by their judicious effort to
help students distinguish right from wrong, responsibility from
irresponsibility, active citizenship from passive citizenship.
The case thus articulated was compelling to Catholics and
non-Catholics alike.
New
ventures and enthusiasms are now engaging the Big Shoulders Board of
Directors. The success of
Big Shoulders is recognized nationally and locally in the civic
community. It is seen as
a “saving grace” by inner-city children and their families.
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