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75 SCHOOLS
ACROSS CHICAGO
Big Shoulders Fund serves 20,000 students in 75 schools in the city of Chicago. Big Shoulders supports schools and programs that will ensure students receive a strong academic foundation in elementary school, enroll in quality, college prep high schools, enroll and persist in college, and lead productive lives as adults.
You Can Make A Difference Today!
Making a Difference in a Neighborhood Near You!
Big Shoulders Fund mentors meet with students monthly at the school site and serve as a positive adult role model to further encourage academic growth.
The Big Shoulders Fund Stock Market Program bring business professionals into the classroom to teach financial literacy.
Mentor
Teach A Class
So, what are you waiting for?
Meet Some of the Big Shoulders Fund Superheroes!
LEE HENDERSON
CHRISTINE BOYD
SUSI
Henderson is a Big Shoulders Fund Board member and supporter of our mission and programming including the EY Entrepreneurship Competition created to help young entrepreneurs’ ideas take flight. He was recently a Global Finalist to receive the EY Better Begins With You Award in recognition of his commitment to empowering and inspiring students to reach their full potential.
Boyd has been a mission-driven educator for many years. She is the recipient of Loyola University's Justina Coffey Award. This award, presented at the Loyola Founders' Award Night, recognized Boyd for her impact as principal of St. Thomas of Canterbury and St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Schools located in Chicago’s Northside. Boyd’s high expectations for all students leads them to success at some of Chicago’s top high schools and beyond.
Holy Trinity rising Junior Susi was named Chicago Ideas Youth Ambassador! “My dream is to major in entrepreneurship and own a company where I can make a difference. Through this program, I hope to learn how I can get started, and then take that to the next level by putting what I learn into action.” Susi is also a Junior Counselor at Big Shoulders Fund’s Staddle Camp in Wyoming, where she will use and share her knowledge as a former Staddle Camp participant to help ensure this summer’s campers have the most positive experience possible.
212 W Van Buren Street, Suite 900
Chicago, IL 60607
312.751.8337
Big Shoulders Fund is a tax exempt, charitable 501(c)3 organization.
Copyright © 2019 Big Shoulders Fund
One Day of Service
Our service days range from three to six hours on Saturday mornings, and we hold them year-round all across Chicago.
Big Shoulders Fund is unique in that our administrative expenses are supported by an endowment and other income. One hundred percent of funds currently raised support our mission.
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Trusted Giving
Big Shoulders Fund has received consecutive 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator for more than a decade. Chicago Magazine named Big Shoulders Fund as one of their top 20 Best Charities to support.
Working side by side with principals, teachers, families, and the students themselves, we form an unstoppable team. Lifting schools. Elevating entire communities. And creating the next generation of superheroes by helping their young dreams take flight.
TOGETHER, WE ALL SOAR.
Graphic Design by Symmetry Marketing Group
Writing by Robert Dreveny
Photography by pictureboy creative
superhero shield illustration by ben fascitelli
Scholar Spotlight: Sydney Sheppard
"As a former Big Shoulders Fund Gallagher Scholar, I joined the Auxiliary Board to support the organization who supported me and to pay it forward to the next generation of scholars. I am now a Big Shoulders Fund mentor at my alma mater, De La Salle Institute. Growing up knowing I had Big Shoulders Fund’s support pushed me to work harder in school which has followed me to aspire more within my career as well."
Elementary School: Santa Lucia School
High School: De La Salle Institute
College: Illinois State University
Degree: Human Resources
Current Position: Sales Associate on the Treasury Management Team at CIBC