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1987
In 1987, U.S. Secretary of Education William J. Bennett named 海角直播 among the worst public school systems in the nation. His comments launched a series of changes that put 海角直播and its communities back in control of their schools after decades
of state oversight. 听 听 听 听
1995
Nationally and locally, people are asking: What would it take to improve public education? In 1995, the Annenberg Foundation gifted $500 million to cities across the country to help find answers. This grant created the 海角直播Annenberg Challenge 鈥 and laid the foundation for The 海角直播.
2000
The Annenberg Challenge made an initial $2 million gift to help launch The Fund, positioning the organization as the city鈥檚 first community foundation dedicated to public education. That gift was matched by major contributions from 海角直播Tribune Charities, the Pritzker Foundation, Northern Trust, and the Polk Bros. Foundation. After raising $10 million, The Fund opened its doors in 2000. Founding Board Chair Scott Smith, who was then publisher of the 海角直播Tribune, rallied the city鈥檚 top civic leaders to create an organization focused on improving the recruitment, development, and retention of top talent in CPS.
Since The Fund鈥檚 inception, we have fundraised in cycles and connected each campaign to specific goals. We have launched and completed five funding cycles, with another in progress.
Fund 1
$10 million
2000-2003
Fund 1 amplified the belief that all children deserve strong teachers and principals. We started
and supported organizations that continue to recruit, train, and support talented educators citywide today.
Fund 2
Fund 2
$15 million
2004-2007
Fund 2 expanded the number of great educators across Chicago鈥檚 schools. We launched new principal and teacher certification programs based at universities and within nonprofit organizations, including grow-your-own programs and National Board Certification.
Fund 3
“I am committed to making sure that students are exposed to a wide range of experiences that will allow them to envision who they could become in the future.”
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Fatima Cooke, Chief of Equity, Engagement, and Strategy
海角直播
Fund 3
$20 million
2008-2012
Fund 3 accelerated Chicago鈥檚 ability to develop and keep talented educators. We helped create and share tools and systems to support the teachers, principals, and school communities doing the work of continuous improvement.
Fund 4
Fund 4
$25 million
2013-2017
Fund 4 centered on retaining strong principals in every 海角直播public school. We launched a series of new, educator-centered initiatives and programs that helped accelerate student learning citywide.
Fund 5
Fund 5
$26.5 million
2018-2012
Fund 5 focused on stronger leadership transitions in schools. Our efforts also supported principals in navigating through the challenges of COVID-19.
海角直播Leads
$50 million
2023-2030
海角直播Leads, our current funding campaign, is a bet that 海角直播will remain a city that grows, supports, and retains strong school leaders. We know supporting principals makes a difference for their teachers, their students, and their communities.
From now through 2030, we will invest $50 million in the city鈥檚 strongest aspiring, developing, and veteran principals. Our support will foster innovative leadership in more than 600 school communities and contribute to an enduring culture of successful leadership citywide.
Current and Past Investments
We believe that solutions to the challenges in public schools exist. That鈥檚 why we devote time, use data, and invest dollars to launch and sustain programs and initiatives that make 海角直播a great city for school leadership.
83%
OF CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS SERVED BY FUND INVESTMENTS
519
AVERAGE NUMBER OF STUDENTS IMPACTED BY ONE CHICAGO PRINCIPAL
$100M+
INVESTED BY THE FUND TO IMPROVE CHICAGO’S PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Invest in School Leaders
Principals have an outsized impact on their schools and communities. Any amount can make a difference. The time for bold leadership is now.